coyote P0345 cam sensor trouble code

[Al_C]

Anybody run into this? I got this code last fall, cleared it and it's been fine - until today. Just wondering if you've experienced it and what you determined as a potential problem. The good news is that I have the part and can swap it out, but wondering why this is happening. Maybe I just don't drive it enough. Thank Chicago weather...

[jamminj]

chances are it's a corrosion on the connectors i would clean the connectors first and see if the problem resolves itself
if your problem was corrosion and you put the new cam sensor in and do not clean the connectors it may work for a while and happen again rather soon

[totem]

I do occasionally get a left exhaust cam exhaust sensor trouble code.

It happens only on racetrack with sustained near red line operation.

It tried swapping the left and right sensor to see if the trouble would change bank but it does not. I shaved the sensor to make it closer to the toothed wheel without success.

I suspect its related to wiring or ECM. Cleaning the connector make sense. I’ll give it a try.

[Al_C]

Update: based on jamminj's recommendation, I cleaned the contacts. I had a can of electronic contact cleaner and sprayed it on to both sides of the connection. The connectors are made in a way that you can't actually get your hands on the contacts. Let it dry overnight, then plugged it back in. No code. Drove around town. No code. Drove 150 miles to Michigan. No code. On the fifth session on the track, I got both the P0345 and P0349 code. 349 is like 345, except it is labeled "intermittent". Cleared it, one more track session and a ride home (150 miles), no code.

Go figure. I can spray it again, install a new sensor, or do nothing. The engine runs fine. Opinions?

[Indy Shu]

Al,
Did you ever get this figured out? I had the same thing happen at the track yesterday.

[narly1]

IMO cleaning the connector contacts is only 1/2 the battle. You need to somehow prevent it from coming back by either flooding the connection with conductive grease or replacing the connector altogether.

Earl

[Indy Shu]

Thanks Earl. I highly doubt dirty connectors. Only 1000 mi on the engine and it's never been exposed to the elements. Everything still looks like new.

[Tbev]

I'm having the same problem with 4 miles on my Coyote. I have cleaned all sensor contacts, confirmed power and ground are good, and I am still getting P0345 and P0349. I am not sure if driving the car with these codes will damage anything so it sits in my garage. I have an appointment in the beginning of August for a tune at a local speed shop and they told me that they will be able to track down the cause for me. If you'd like, I can PM you after my tune to tell you what they found.

[Indy Shu]

Tbev,
Report after your tune would be great. I've had a tune and dyno and not any issues until I ran it hard on the track. Ran 3 sessions fine and appeared on the 4th. I ran for a few laps with the MIL on and didn't seem any different. I'll clear the codes and see if they stay away for now under normal driving.
Thanks!

[Al_C]

Here's my experience: swap out the sensor and the code goes away. The biggest issue I had was that I swapped the wrong sensor, so nothing changed. Once I swapped out the correct sensor, everything worked as it should. When I asked Ford Performance for direction, they said, "check your grounds". In this case, I agree with their advice. Case in point - during a heavy downpour, (in Ohio of all places) the MIL illuminated. When it finally stopped raining (about 100 miles later...), I checked and found the same codes. My opinion is that when everything was wet it caused a ground problem (that I have yet to determine). Cleared the code and no more issues.

Bottom line - my suggestion is you check your grounds and get a new sensor.

[Indy Shu]

thanks Al!
Have you had it on the track since?

[Al_C]

thanks Al!
Have you had it on the track since?

Tomorrow! Blackhawk Farms! (South Beloit, IL)

[Indy Shu]

Good Luck and have fun!! Let us know how it goes.