What were the black codes?

2005 3.5 l pacifica 0203, 0344, 0405 codes problem

• QUESTION: I'm having trouble with my Pacifica. The issues started with the car hesitating slightly when accelerating from a stoplight. This happened several times, and then I eventually got a check engine light with a p0203 code (#3 fuel injector circuit condition). I had just filled my tank and we thought perhaps I'd gotten some bad gas, so we drove a tank or so with fuel injector cleaner and water remover in the gas. It would go days without a problem and then hesitate again, and I'd get the light, which would clear in about 5 start/drive cycles. Then one evening out of the blue, the car died while driving at a low speed, accelerating gently after turning. I pulled over and was able to restart after a couple of minutes. Had another CE light, but car was again driving okay. Had the codes checked and I now had a P0203 and a P0344 (cam sensor condition. After restarting it seemed okay again, and the engine light cleared. This same scenario happened one more time. Sometimes hesitating, dying one additional time, but usually driving okay. Next problem, The car is back to hesitating when accelerating from light and at about the speed I would expect it would stop with the hesitating, it starts bucking, but seems fine once I take my foot off the gas. This happens twice. After, I have the two other codes plus a P0340 (cam sensor failure). It seems okay when I drive gingerly, keeping the rpms below 2500 or so. Having the two cam sensor codes, we went ahead and replaced the cam sensor with a new oem part. Didn't fix the problem - when the husband took it out and drove it normally, it bucked and popped he 0203 and 0344 codes when the rpm got to about 3000 (we had cleared them after changing the cam sensor so we know they are new). In the several days since then I've driven gently and it's been fine. So there is the whole ugly story. Thanks if you've made it this far. Help?! Any thoughts or ideas as to what could be going on? I have to believe the two codes are related since they come on together, but how one could cause the other I don't know. We have a powertrain warranty on this car, so we would need to take it back to where we purchased it if it is something that would be covered. Unfortunately that is a ways away and we can't get it in until next week. ANSWER: Hi Angela, I wonder about the installation of the camshaft sensor. While it is not specifically called out in the '05 manual, other manuals for similar engines do make a point about when the sensor is installed to press it into place so that the tip of the sensor touches the surface of the cam sprocket and while holding it in contace tighten the retaining bolt to 105 inch-pounds. This would certainly be the procedure if the new sensor's tip has a paper spacer in place as that is provided as a separating device to result in the sensor being very close to but not in direct contact with the metal. If your husband did the install did he happen to notice a paper spacer to be present and if so did he hold the sensor in contact as I described? If present but not installed as described, then the signal strength/reliability may not be as good as it could be and so he could inspect the tip to see if the paper is still there (in which case reinstall as described) or whether it is worn away for the most part as it should be (in which case he should get a new spacer from the dealer and reinstall as described). On the O203 that code is based upon the electrical behavior of the injector rather than its gas flow characteristics. It may be that the electrical connection between injector and power supply or the driver circuit in the power control module is compromised. So look over the wires at the #3 injector to be sure there is no signs of damage to the insulation. The brown/light blue wire on pin 2 of the injector is attached to pin 12 if the black/orange #2 plug of the pcm so that could be checked for continuity while gently shaking the harness. If the code persists I would consider replacing the injector. Those would be the approaches to try at this point. I don't see a logical common cause for the two codes but perhaps if both are compromised slightly then that could cause a common performance failure. Please 'rate' my answer (see below). Thanks, Roland ---------- FOLLOW-UP ---------- QUESTION: Roland, thank you so much for your quick response. The sensor looked exactly like the one here (except it was OEM from the dealer) http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Duralast-Camshaft-Position-Sensor/2005-Chrysler-Pacifica-2WD/_/N-jmu55Z9gsn2?itemIdentifier=184304_0_0_ I did not see any kind of paper. I totally forgot about a 4th code until today when I experienced a little pop from almost what seemed to be the driver side of the engine compartment, lower area, and the engine light came on and i checked the codes again. This one is a P0405 (EGR Position sensor low voltage). I'm starting to wonder if I don't have a PCM problem. Your thoughts? I believe the pcm is located near the driver's side wheel well or fender area. How do you access that to make a visual inspection? ANSWER: Hi Angela, If you don't recall there being a paper spacer and also that you installed it such that the tip of the spacer would be close to the hidden cam sprocket surface then lets assume that is OK. You may have a point about the pcm in that both the egr solenoid's wiring and the cam sensor wiring are handled out of the #2 plug of the pcm (black/orange) along the pins on one edge of it ( #29-38). It may be there is some damage to the wires at the plug. The pcm is located in the lower left corner of the engine compartment and it is accessed by lifting the left front wheel and removing it, then remove the splash shield between the wheel well and the engine compartment. You will find it, and that it has 4 mult-wire plugs, near to the windshield washer reservoir bottle bottom. If you would like some pages from the manual which shows where these parts are I can copy them off the CD of the manual that I have and attach them to an email which I will send directly. To do that I need to know your email address which you can tell me via n new question where you have clicked on the PRIVATE button and then list the address in the text area of the question. If you don't make it a private question the email address will be automatically erased from the question. Please 'rate' my answer (see below). Thanks, Roland ---------- FOLLOW-UP ---------- QUESTION: Is the injector #3 electrical circuit wiring connected to the pcm in that same area by any chance? If there was some damage to that connector or in the wiring, do you think that could cause the performance problems I am having? I will send you my e-mail address as you've outlines above if you are willing to send the info. Thanks so much for all your help!

• Answer:

  Hi Angela, No, the wire that drives the #3 injector is on pin 12 of that same plug, a couple of rows away from the the ones I listed, and inboard from the edge by one pin as well. So it probably is unrelated, if in fact the 29-38 area is damaged. Nonethelss once you remove the plug you can check the continuity between pin 12 and the injector plug itself. But feel free to send me that PRIVATE question with your email address listed therein. Also, thanks so much for the kind remarks and the nomination. Roland