P0340 on Nissan: Causes, Symptoms and Fix Cost
Quick Answer
Not safe to drive
P0340 on a Nissan is the Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction code: the engine computer is not getting a valid signal from the camshaft position (CMP) sensor, which it needs to time fuel injection and ignition to the right cylinder. The most common cause is a failed CMP sensor itself. Typical symptoms are hard starting, no-start, or sudden stalling. A replacement sensor and labour usually runs about 40 to 180 euros.
- Severity
- High · Ignition
- Typical repair cost, all makes
- €45-€270
Connect a standard OBD2 adapter (Bluetooth LE on iPhone) to your Nissan and Skanyx tells you what P0340 means on that engine, whether it is safe to keep driving, and what the fix should cost. Free on iPhone and Android.
Get Skanyx freeWhat does P0340 mean on a Nissan?
The Quick Answer above is the generic definition. What follows is the model-specific detail for the Nissan models that log P0340.
Nissan Pathfinder
2005-2020
The VQ-series V6 (VQ35DE and VQ40DE in the Pathfinder, Murano, Maxima, Altima 3.5 and 350Z) is well documented for camshaft and crankshaft position sensor failure that gets worse as the engine warms up, causing stalling and a hard hot-restart that clears once it cools. The failure is heat related, so judge a replacement by whether the signal holds at full operating temperature: a sensor that tests fine cold can still drop out once the engine is hot.
What causes P0340 on a Nissan?
Beyond the generic causes listed on the main P0340 page, these are the patterns noted for Nissan models:
Heat-sensitive camshaft position sensor failure on the VQ V6 (stalls when hot)
: Nissan Pathfinder
Crankshaft position sensor failing on the same engines, often together
: Nissan Pathfinder
Connector or wiring corrosion at the sensor on high-mileage examples
: Nissan Pathfinder
How to diagnose P0340 on a Nissan with OBD2
Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0340:
- Scan for companion codes (P0016, P0341, P0345). P0016 alongside P0340 points toward timing chain or cam timing issues rather than a simple sensor failure
- Inspect the CMP sensor connector and tip for oil contamination, corrosion, bent pins, or a loose lock tab
- Check the sensor harness for chafed, melted, or broken wires between the connector and the ECU, and wiggle-test for an intermittent fault
- With the key on and engine off, confirm sensor supply voltage (typically 5V or 12V) and a good ground at the connector
- Measure sensor resistance with a multimeter on magnetic types and compare to the manufacturer spec (often 200-2000 ohms); Hall-effect types are tested by watching the signal on a scope or scan tool while cranking
- Inspect the sensor mounting and the reluctor (tone) ring on the camshaft for looseness, damage, or debris that would distort the signal
- If the sensor, wiring, and reluctor ring all test good, check timing chain stretch and cam timing as the root cause
How much does P0340 cost to fix on a Nissan? (EUR)
Estimated repair costs for P0340 in EUR, compiled across makes. Nissan costs typically sit in the middle of each range.
| Repair | Parts Cost | Labor Cost | Total Estimate | DIY Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Replace camshaft position sensor | €20–€80 | €30–€120 | €50–€200 | Moderate |
| Repair wiring or connector | €5–€20 | €40–€150 | €45–€170 | Moderate |
| Replace camshaft position sensor (OEM) | €40–€150 | €30–€120 | €70–€270 | Moderate |
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
Codes related to P0340
These codes are often seen alongside P0340 or point to related issues, on any make:
Looking for the full P0340 reference (all makes, full diagnosis flow, complete repair cost matrix)? See the main P0340 guide
Diagnose P0340 on your Nissan
Your car logged P0340. Skanyx reads it on a standard OBD2 adapter (Bluetooth LE on iPhone), tells you whether it is safe to keep driving, and shows the €45-€270 repair range so you know the number before a shop quotes you. Free on iPhone and Android, and you do not need to be a mechanic to read it.
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