06 Rubicon - P0344

Blue XJ · 02-13-2020, 05:23 PM

My buddy has a 06 Rubicon (4.0, auto) that throws code P0344 (Camshaft Position Sensor Intermittent Interruption Bank 1 Sensor 1) that puts the into limp mode and only lets it rev to about 2500 rpm until the code is cleared. It only throws the code when the engine temp is cold, once its up to operating temp and he clears it, the code doesn't come back. But if he clears it while the motor is still cold, it comes right back.

He has replaced the cam sensor and the entire OPDA assembly and still has the issue. The Jeep dealer had it for almost a month and couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. They replaced the timing chain thinking it was worn out, but that didn't change anything.

The only thing we can come up with is a possible cam sensor crank sensor out of sync issue when it's cold. It looks like the two sensors can be ~15 degrees (crank angle) different and still work fine. Our thought is that when it is cold, the ECU is retarding the timing and it's somehow falling outside of the 15 degree window, until the temps come up and it throws the timing back at it.

I never knew a Jeep motor could go into limp mode until this issue came up, and we haven't been able to find much info online, other than the cam/crank difference and possibly a bad cam.

Anybody ever hear of a similar issue, or have any ideas where to keep
looking? He's gonna throw a crank sensor at it, since they are cheap, but the code specifically states cam sensor.

02-13-2020, 05:23 PM	#1
Blue XJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3,857	06 Rubicon - P0344 My buddy has a 06 Rubicon (4.0, auto) that throws code P0344 (Camshaft Position Sensor Intermittent Interruption Bank 1 Sensor 1) that puts the into limp mode and only lets it rev to about 2500 rpm until the code is cleared. It only throws the code when the engine temp is cold, once its up to operating temp and he clears it, the code doesn't come back. But if he clears it while the motor is still cold, it comes right back. He has replaced the cam sensor and the entire OPDA assembly and still has the issue. The Jeep dealer had it for almost a month and couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. They replaced the timing chain thinking it was worn out, but that didn't change anything. The only thing we can come up with is a possible cam sensor crank sensor out of sync issue when it's cold. It looks like the two sensors can be ~15 degrees (crank angle) different and still work fine. Our thought is that when it is cold, the ECU is retarding the timing and it's somehow falling outside of the 15 degree window, until the temps come up and it throws the timing back at it. I never knew a Jeep motor could go into limp mode until this issue came up, and we haven't been able to find much info online, other than the cam/crank difference and possibly a bad cam. Anybody ever hear of a similar issue, or have any ideas where to keep looking? He's gonna throw a crank sensor at it, since they are cheap, but the code specifically states cam sensor.