Why is my malibu throwing a cam position sensor code when there's no cam sensor in this model? And multiple skip codes. All wiring harnesses seem good. New plugs, coil pack, crank sensor, 02 bank 1, throttle body, gaskets, ecm module, timing kit. Only thing I can think is the balance shaft timing is bad. It seemed fine when I did the cam gears, chain and tensioners. I am stumped. It has to be mechanical throwing these codes. All electrical components are new or working. But if this year and model doesn't have a cam sensor, why am I getting a code? Seems to run fine when engine advances. Seems like around 1000-1200 rpms it's much smoother. Under 1000 rooms (idle) it runs like 💩. Is it possible the crank bearing/s spun 1/4 of a tooth? If im driving casually the engine light will flash sometimes (p0300 skip code/s) and if I accelerate to a downshifting point (auto trans) the engine light stops flashing and 75% of the time it goes away but always comes back. If anyone knows the answer, I'm all ears. I've tried/changed almost everything. And I'm really steering towards balance shaft timing problem. TIA ill let you all reminisce on this one. This is not a scam post. I am dead serious about all this. I'm pretty good with cars. Always done my own work and rarely get stumped. But I am stumped. Fuel pressures fine compressions fine and vacuum lines seem fine. Every now and then I'll get a p0172 as well. Bank 1 to rich code
Thank you. I will try this
Most do not think of the RELEARN ECM procedure when we do our repairs...I myself included and I have been doing this..well for a long time..LOL! I myself was chasing my tail with codes which did not make any logical sense in the repair. Codes which point toward parts which are new...are still at fault...a higher degree of certainty as compared to NEW parts are parts which came off a engine which ran perfectly with no codes...use that part as it has been tried true and tested - thats the gold standard. AND even then THAT didn't work...then the last stop before going crazy is the RELEARN procedure....and all is well.....Yes some repairs are a journey!
So the car is running a ton better. But still getting 0340 code and 0300. It runs and drives 95% way better than it did. Still getting a skip tho. Mainly at idle speed. Just giving u an update. Thanx for your help tho
Well, the only things I can think of is that you need to use a DVOM and check the wiring resistance on the Crank shaft sensor to ECM. That and the connectors for their connection integrity. Assuring that the wire loom has not been comrpromised accurately would be the next course of action. I think 340 is the key and causes the 300 missfire code....I think..LOL! THEN again..we can go the other way and maybe the ECM either is faulty or has bad connections.....got to unplug those connections and wiggle them around to see if we get some change...or improvement...I have sometimes just cut the wires off and put in new replacement wires to bypass the harness to see if their is any change...Most of the time it did not make a difference but i wanted to know for sure even tho my DVOM said you wasting your time..HAHAH! But its something to think about.....
First realize those are horrendous vehicles with that engine it's an age to become endless money pit.but knowing Jim you could easily have a computer failure those ecms go bad all the time on those crappers
Lol I totally understand Korean Daewoo engineering sucks. I guess i was really wondering why I'd get a cam positioning code when there is no cam positioning sensor in the 05 models. And it had a new ecm. I was getting like 12 codes and I've narrowed it down to just the skip and cam position. But for argument sakes a mechanical issue in the timing system could possibly set off that P0340 code? (Cam positioning sensor) I've tried 4 or 5 different coil packs and decided to stick with the one i bought from Robbins auto (federated Auto) because they've always have the most reliable electronics. The car has absolutely no rust on it anywhere and around 126k miles which is why im holding on to it. Go to work and home is the vehicles purpose. Only do about 50 miles per week. Guess i was just wondering if you or someone knew why that code always appears is all. Thanks for your response to btw
P0300 is a missfire code for more than on cyl
P0302 is cyl is missfiring on #2
Did you run a missfire monitor on it when using your scanner ?
I did. Mainly on cyl 3 and cyl 2 had erratic spark at first but not bad enough to throw a code. Seemed like it gradually got worse but smoothed out at higher rpms. When I'm driving it seems fine. Only code that comes while I'm driving is the cam positioning sensor p0340.and and when I take my foot off the gas or come to a near idle,the skip codes will appear. It fluctuates between 0300 0302 0303. But the 0340 code is always the his one. Makes sense why it would skip if it thinks there's a cam sensor, but there isn't and I don't know why it thinks there is one.
My thoughts on what you said...depends on what make scanner your using for one. basically if a code comes up and it does not apply to your equipment you have to ignore it as there is nothing to check in the first place. Was the scanner a authorized Ford scanner you used or something else.? I have learned that with some scanners you get codes that do not apply and throws you a loop. I would concentrate with the 300 and the 303. If you have a missfire it does not mean its all about igntion. It could be a lean missfire and the engine is leaning out thus the missfire. and its pointing at #3. Does #3 have a PCV valve nearby or something close to lean out that cylinder? it may be very small as if the code doesn't come up at different RPM's...it is a very small minute missfire. Remember you can always swap ignition coils or wires to another cylinder to see if either the problem either MOVES to that new location or STAYS in the same location. If it moves..its the hardware you moved but if it stays..the problem is still internal.
Ignore the ABOVE - read below this line.
...wait a minute..Cam positioning sensor..oh yes your car has to have one...YOUR vehicle has to have one....serch for:
05 malibu 2.2 ecotec cam position sensor click below for examples and location.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t1794_ds607138
I appreciate your help Dion i really do. Bit im telling u right now there is no cam positioning sensor. 05 was the only year they didn't have one. Has to do with the ignition pack and module. Something about that coil pack and module it was suppose to do away with the sensor. Trust me when i say I've tried everything. And i mean everything. Im really hoping there's something i missed which is why i came here. Cuz im stumped and i don't get stumped very often. Or at least not for a long period of time. I've tried everything every which way from Sunday. The scanner i have is just a cheap 30.00 one. The one i used was at the garage i once worked at. Really nice snap on one. He claims he paid over 3k for the scanner which i can believe because it has all the bells and whistles. Ive searched the web and YouTube for answers as well. Pretty sure im on my own with this one. But thanks again. If u think of anything im all ears bud. Thank you
I did some more reading about this matter......and I see instances of the same complaints as you have mentioned. Mind boogling it is...One comments is to go with the probable next item and that is to replace the Crank shaft sensor. I mean how else would the ECM detect rotational movement unless there is some other unknown sensor else where. The Crank shaft sensor rr procedure is on the cargurus site I posted. OP had scanned a page from the repair manual and its procedure.
Don't worry..you will get thru with this....
Lol thanx again. But I've already replaced 2 crank sensors. Im really steering towards the balance shaft timing kit tho. For some reason i didn't like how it w.as when i did the cam timing kit. And yes, I agree, we will get through this.
Okay..heres one to try out. On the scanner menu their is a RELEARN menu where the ECM gets to relearn how much noise the reciprocating parts of the engine emit. This operation usually is required when some part like a cam, crank, whole engine replacement or even a balance shaft is replaced. Any of these replaced parts differ in their noise signature as opposed to the original. You have to step on the brake, put it in drive and floor it......the ECM will record the NEW signature over the other.
So............ Dion, listen up bud. I owe you a beer or something. I did the relearn today and (as of now) it sounds amazing! I mean like a normal car. Idles and purrs like a kitten. I let it idle for neatly 15-20 mins to see if any codes came back. None. Went down the road at a nice gradual acceleration to around 40 mph took my foot off the gas and the slow down time and pace was perfecto! Then did the same thing on a longer road. From 30 mph full accel to 75 and same thing when i took my foot off the gas. Then hit the brakes nicely from 50mph to 30ish. No codes no nothing no hesitations just a good running drivetrain. I ran diagnostics on all others to. Injectors, evap, tranny, ECT ECT and all that was code free or functioning properly. I owe this to you. It's been touch and go for the past year and a half chasing this skip. My elderly mechanic that I've worked for and known for years said he did that relearn like 2 or 3 times after tranny swap and head gasket job. Then I changed my coil pack, module, CPU, 02 sensors, crank sensor, throttle body ect ect. I did all that breaking down the codes to the only 2 i couldn't get to go away 0300 0340. And i think it had 7 or 8 codes once. P1681 p2135 p0172 and a couple more i can't remember. Something about the map sensor or maf. But I've babbled enough. Just wanted you to know the car sounds amazing now and thank you. 🍻 cheers 🍻 brothah for real