Camshaft Position Sensor CEL Codes (P0010, P0340) and VAG-COM question

[sike]

The car is a '03 1.8T Quattro. My CEL came on recently with code P0340 "Powertrain - Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)" and P0010 "Powertrain - "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1). The codes are really vague. I cleared the codes about a week ago and the P0010 came back almost immediately but the P0340 hasn't returned. I've read it could be timing related (either improperly aligned, or belt skipped a tooth). I did replace my timing belt a little less than a year ago when my water pump went up. I'm pretty certain I aligned the marks correctly when installing the belt and had the tensioners properly tensioned and tightened as well. I used "Gates TCKWP306A Engine Timing Belt Kit with Water Pump" (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NYJOHC). It was a new belt, water pump (plastic impeller), tension actuator, tension pulley, and idler roller.

The car seems to run and perform normally without any noticeable issues, *maybe* a slight loss of performance but I'm not certain there is any power loss at all. The ECU is unitronic-chipped stage 1+ and seems to run at full boost on 93oct. Also, possibly related, my flex pipe broke just before the these CEL codes popped up. The flex pipe was just dangling behind the CAT and totally disconnected from the rest of the exhaust (ultra loud), I doubt this had anything to do with it... but maybe? I just had a new flex pipe installed a few days ago and haven't tried resetting the P0010 code since.

I really don't want to rip the bumper off again to check the timing marks if there is an easier way to narrow down what is wrong. Would a VAG-COM cable and laptop help narrow down the issue? How exactly do VAG tools help with breaking down CEL related issues?

Any help, advice, information appreciated. TIA.

[old guy]

I doubt your problem is with your timing. It is much more likely to be the cam chain adjuster. The P0340 description in the Rosstech wiki isn’t really accurate. The code should read “Incorrect Allocation”. Essentially the ECU is getting confusing information from the cam position sensor. Your P0010 is indicating that there is a problem with the signal to the cam chain adjuster. If the cam adjuster isn’t functioning properly it can cause the P0340.

Lots of cam adjuster info in this thread. It may not have your specific answer but it will help you understand how it all relates. Clicky click®

[sike]

I wanted to update this since I got the problem solved. Thanks for the reply old guy, everything I had been reading had pointed in the direction you had put me but it didn't turn out to be the cam adjustment. It was a fuse in the ECU box under the hood. Easy fix. Before jumping into replacing the cam chain adjuster I figured I'd try some smaller items. I read SO many threads and posts about similar topics and almost all of them pointed to either the sensor or the cam chain adjuster. But...

I replaced the CAM sensor itself, $8 on Amazon so I figured why not. Didn't fix it.

Then for the first time I hooked my laptop up with vag cable to see if I could get anymore detailed information. There was a secondary code stored in the ECU that Torque app was not displaying. The code was for a coolant flow sensor or something I can't remember what exactly it was right now but when I check it again I'll post it.

Anyhow, I searched for the 2 codes combined and after going through a bunch more threads and posts I found one where someone had indicated that the cam position sensor and the other sensor that was throwing a code were on the same circuit and had shared a fuse. I couldnt find any specific information pointing to where the fuse itself was, but I had seen other posts about more fuses being in the ECU box under the hood. It was in there, a 15a fuse in the box that was blown. Replaced the fuse, problem solved and it hasn't blown again.

[BlueStar]

I wanted to update this since I got the problem solved....Replaced the fuse, problem solved and it hasn't blown again.

Wow, great detective work and use of the internet to search for a solution to a problem! Congrats.

And thanks for coming back and posting an update; it might help someone with the same problem.

[old guy]

Yes, thank you very much for the update! It will be very helpful for others in the future dealing with the same issues.