Engine had been fine, then died and threw a P0343

[Jeebus444]

So I was about to go run some errands on my day off, and I did my usual 'let the car warm up' until the revs come down. I drove about 4 blocks and the EPC light came on and I lost driving power. I still had power to the car. Ran a diagnostic with my OBD reader to get a single error code of P0343.

Reading through some of the google results on the code, lots of people getting additional codes along with the one above, and end result being bent valves and what not.

Hopefully my issue is minor in comparison, but will update as soon as I hear back from the mechanic.

Summation:
'07 A4 B7 Avant
Was about to go run some errands
EPC light came on after driving around 4 blocks, lost all driving power (but not battery power)
Threw a single code of P0343
No unfamiliar noises while warming up the car prior to the error, nor when the car came to a halt.
I could still crank the engine, but would not start (sounded like a weak cranking).

[FatMongo]

So I was about to go run some errands on my day off, and I did my usual 'let the car warm up' until the revs come down. I drove about 4 blocks and the EPC light came on and I lost driving power. I still had power to the car. Ran a diagnostic with my OBD reader to get a single error code of P0343.

Reading through some of the google results on the code, lots of people getting additional codes along with the one above, and end result being bent valves and what not.

Hopefully my issue is minor in comparison, but will update as soon as I hear back from the mechanic.

Summation:
'07 A4 B7 Avant
Was about to go run some errands
EPC light came on after driving around 4 blocks, lost all driving power (but not battery power)
Threw a single code of P0343
No unfamiliar noises while warming up the car prior to the error, nor when the car came to a halt.
I could still crank the engine, but would not start (sounded like a weak cranking).

First, check through the little inspection cover on your front timing cover to see if your belt is intact.

If you belt is intact, check to see if you mechanical timing is on (rotate your crank - with a 12 pt 19mm socket or wrench until you are at TDC.) With your crank TDC your the mark on your exhaust cam sprocket shoud be at the TDC mark. If you can verify that the marks are lined up, then you are probably looking at a failed camshaft position sensor or a short in the wiring.

The camshaft position sensor is on the front of the cylinder head - it poked up through side of the head to read the movement of the cam. With a failed sensor or compromised wiring, your car would likely turn over but not start.

If your timing marks do not line up, you have snapped your timing belt and bent valves. The head is going to need to come off.

[deusilan]

Not a common issue with B7's, but yeah your cam position sensor will prevent you from driving your car.

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[Theiceman]

i can tell you from personal experience car will start and run with no cam position sensor... it will just default to a preset map..
what is the description for your code... it is usually good car etiquette to to post that when asking for help
.

[Older_not_Wiser]

Feeling generous today...

16727/P0343/000835 - Camshaft Position Sensor (G40): Signal too High

Possible Symptoms
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) active

Possible Causes
Wiring from/to Camshaft Position Sensor (G40) faulty
Camshaft Position Sensor (G40) faulty
Timing misaligned

Possible Solutions
Check Wiring from/to Camshaft Position Sensor (G40)
Check Camshaft Position Sensor (G40)
Check Timing

[Jeebus444]

Just got a call back from the mechanic, looks like the engine threw a few more codes, but here's what he told me:

1. The belts did not snap, and the engine looks good upon inspection
2. One of the codes was for the fuel pump. The basic fuel pump was fine, but the high pressure pump above the engine was only sending fuel at 160PSI (vs 700PSI).

Going to replace that before checking up on the camshaft sensor.

All in all, better outcome than I expected, I was starting to peruse Kijiji for another vehicle.

Looks like I'm going to register for AMA before my roadtrip next weekend

[Jeebus444]

Correction

upon further inspection, timing belt snapped and was missing 4 inches, internal engine damage.

:(

Time to car shop.

[FatMongo]

Correction

upon further inspection, timing belt snapped and was missing 4 inches, internal engine damage.

:(

Time to car shop.

You dont HAVE to get a new car.

You likely just need a new cylinder head. You can probably score a used one for a couple hundred bucks, scrub the valves clean, have a machine shop check it for straightness and toss it on there and be about your business.

[esandes]

Is there physical damage to anything other than valves and guides, cams in the head? The head can be repaired by a good mechanic if it's just a matter of replacing cams and valves and obviously the timing chain and belt.

If the head is repairable you may as well replace that damn coolant flange while you're at it.

The bottom end of the engine should be fine. I had a similar issue where two valves got bent.

[Theiceman]

You dont HAVE to get a new car.

You likely just need a new cylinder head. You can probably score a used one for a couple hundred bucks, scrub the valves clean, have a machine shop check it for straightness and toss it on there and be about your business.

If he is not a car guy, mechanics rates will make this not worth while. How many miles on the car

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[Theiceman]

Correction

upon further inspection, timing belt snapped and was missing 4 inches, internal engine damage.

:(

Time to car shop.

Thought so, its never the cam sensor.


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[esandes]

When my chain snapped, the cam follower was warn through. That caused damage to the cam and the timing chain housing was heavily damaged.

[Jayz691]

When my chain snapped, the cam follower was warn through. That caused damage to the cam and the timing chain housing was heavily damaged.

Thats cam chain failure tthoug, not timing belt..

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