Lexus ES300 P0340 fun!

Yes, I know... another P0340, I assure you, I read all of the other relating posts on this website hoping for some insight into my problem to no avail.

Anyways, I will start off by saying that I am indeed very mechanical savvy individual, if somebody has the wisdom to pass down onto me, I can complete the required tasks!

So, my problem:

Vehicle: 1996 Lexus ES300 V6
Fault code: P0340
Problem description: It all started with a misfire... a few months back, my car slowly started to run like crap, eventually leading to a vigorous shake during idle, once troubleshot, I found that I had a major misfire in cylinder #4 which was caused by a valve shim that went completely out of whack. I finely got around to fixing it, and adjusted all of the other shims while I was at it! When I threw it back together, the car ran great and I couldn't have been happier, so I changed the oil and checked the valves again to make sure they were all still good to go...

That was a mistake, I should have been content and just left it alone, because once I threw it back together again and started the car up, the engine warning light immediately came on and the car idled worst than it did with the misfiring #4 cylinder. I took it out for a drive and the transmission was having major trouble shifting gears, it would just run all the way up to red-line if I kept on the gas long enough, I would have to let off the gas quickly in order for it to change gears. When I brought it back, I threw on my trusty OBD and it popped a lone P0340 code (Camshaft position sensor circuit fail).

Equipped with the knowledge of my general problem, I began troubleshooting. I started of course by getting a spare new Camshaft position sensor and changing that, it didnt work.. so I then traced the wires all the way to the PCM and checked them for continuity, continuity was great.. but I still decided to piggyback some completely new wires to the sensor just in case to no avail that did not work. Now I hear that the next thing to check is the PCM, well I don't have one handy so I was just wondering if there is anything else I should be checking first?? The only time I can even remember being near the camshaft sensor is when I changed the oil filter, my arm was rubbing against it while I was tightening the filter.

To be continued...

Sounds like when you adjusted the valves you have some too tight or if the timing belt is not lined up correctly or if the crank sensor relucter is damaged all could cause the code.

K, just got back, I just did all that and everything looks fine Also just reconfirmed that the wires are good to go, no shorts to ground and no opens.

yeah but will the wires flow any current, is there an adjustment for the cam sensor airgap? How do you knw the spare cam sensor is any good?

I wish I had an Oscilloscope laying around to just officially check the output of the sensor, sadly I don't. Its a brand new sensor though. No adjustment for the air gap on this car that I know of...

New doesn't always mean good though, I've seen alot of brand new aftermarket brand crank and cam position sensors not work right out of the box. A scope would be nice but it can be diagged without! What brand is your cam sensor? Is there a magnet or reluctor damaged?

Brand: WELLS
PN: SU4042

The sensor looks fine, and I checked the reluctor pretty well too and it looks fine..