Carcrazycorey1

Well for the past couple days my 05 GT has been bringing up a P0340 TC. I was cruising home the other day from getting my car washed and later on that day my Ultra-Gauge's alarm went off saying that there's a TC. P0340 came up and I google'd it and it appears to be the camshaft sensor on bank 1. The first day it was on I didn't notice any difference in the way the car ran but after driving home from work tonight the light came back on and I noticed that a couple times the car would kind of 'jerk' or should I say the engine sort of pulsed very briefly, but noticeably. I've read that it could be due to low voltage, etc but my UG says I'm putting out anywhere from 13.5-14.1V while driving. I've heard of water from hard rain or washing the car can leak into some control box? I'm thinking this is a possibility since it only started happening the day I washed it (one of those self serve washes with the pressure hose and brush) How can I go about checking to make sure no water is leaking, and where exactly does it leak from? How can I fix it?

The car is a 2005 5-speed 4.6 with 94k miles. Any help is appreciated!

jpplaw

P0340 usually ends up being caused by the alternator. Get it tested.

Carcrazycorey1

I work at advance auto so if I get some free time at work today I'll pull it off my car and test it. The tester we use to check with it on the car is not nearly as accurate and just tells you basically what your voltage output is whereas the one inside will tell you if it's a diode, not generating power, Etc. thanks!

jpplaw

There are alot of known issues with the 05-08 alternators. Halfway through 09, Ford started using different types.

moosestang

It is most likely a bad diode causing excessive AC ripple. The AC current causes the cam position sensor to give bad info to the pcm.

I replaced my stock alternator with a PA performance alternator from americanmuscle.com. I never got the code, just replaced as preventative maintenance.

Carcrazycorey1

Alternator tested with a bad diode. I switched bank 1 and bank 2 Cam sensor just for the hell of it to see if it'll pull a code on bank 2 so we shall see. Seeing as I've had the car for just 3 weeks I should be able to take it to the dealer and get a new alternator for free.

JCON

If it's a 2005, why would the dealership change alternators for free? Did you buy an extended warranty? Probably better off rebuilding yours or buying a PA alternator.

adj86

If Ford won't pay for it, then I'd get a PA Performance alternator. I went through two FOMOCO alternators in the course of 3 years. Bought a PA in April of '11. Haven't had a bit of trouble since.

Carcrazycorey1

I bought it used at an Infiniti dealership three weeks ago, and did get an extended warranty (only $20 more a month and covers nearly everything) since I have owned it less than a month the dealer I bought it from is going to have to replace it out of their own pocket and I wont pay the $100 deductible I normally would with the warranty. And even if I did buy my own alternator, I can get one from my store for around $120 with a lifetime warranty..

JCON

My car is now 8 years old and I still have the original alternator. My OEM battery also lasted 6.5 years.

If they'll replace it for free that's great!