What this code means
P0344 means the ECM/PCM may be seeing an intermittent interruption in the CMP sensor A signal.
What the vehicle may do
- The vehicle may run normally when the fault is not active.
- The concern can be intermittent, so it may only show up under certain operating conditions.
Possible fault areas
- Possible CMP sensor A signal path concern.
- Possible connector, terminal, or ground issue.
- Possible PCM connection point concern.
- Possible camshaft pulse plate area concern.
Diagnostic path
Opening context
On this Honda CR-V, P0344 is for an intermittent interruption in the CMP sensor A signal. In plain language, the ECM/PCM may be losing track of the camshaft position signal at times instead of seeing a clean, steady input. The vehicle may run normally when you get it, or it may have intermittent driveability complaints depending on when the signal drops out. Broadly, keep your mind on the sensor signal path, connector and terminal condition, grounds, the PCM connection point, and the camshaft pulse plate area. Start with the basic system checks and follow a structured diagnostic approach before getting deep into the circuit.
Duplicate the fault at idle first
Start by trying to duplicate P0344 in a controlled way. Turn the vehicle to the ON mode, clear the DTC with the HDS, then start the engine and let it idle for 10 seconds. Watch the OBD STATUS for P0344 in the HDS DTCs menu. If the HDS shows FAILED, the fault is duplicated and you move on to the connector and terminal checks. If it shows PASSED, go to the driving check. If it shows NOT COMPLETED, keep it idling until the monitor gives you a result.
If idle does not catch it, reproduce the captured driving conditions
If it passes at idle, take the vehicle on a test-drive for several minutes in the range of the recorded freeze data parameters for ENGINE SPEED and VEHICLE SPEED. Keep watching the OBD STATUS for P0344 with the HDS. If it changes to FAILED, the failure is duplicated and you go to the connector and terminal checks. If it shows PASSED, treat it as an intermittent that is not active at that moment. At that point, the system is OK at this time, but check for poor connections or loose terminals at the CMP sensor and the PCM. If captured data is available, try to reproduce the failure under those same conditions. If the HDS shows NOT COMPLETED, retest and check the OBD STATUS again.
Check the signal path connections and grounds
Once the failure is duplicated, inspect the connection quality before condemning parts. Check for poor connections or loose terminals at CMP sensor A, the PCM, the engine ground, and the body ground. If the connections and terminals are not OK, repair the connection or terminal problem. If they are OK, continue to the mechanical visual check.
Inspect the CMP pulse plate and make the final call
Next, remove the cylinder head cover and check CMP pulse plate A on the intake camshaft for damage. If the pulse plate is damaged, replace the intake camshaft. If the pulse plate is not damaged, replace CMP sensor A. The key takeaway is simple: prove the intermittent first, check the connections and grounds, then inspect the pulse plate before making the final component call. For more diagnostic training, visit stepdiagnostics.com.
Final check
P0344 often needs the fault duplicated first, then the connection path and pulse plate area checked before making the final repair decision.
For more guided automotive diagnostics, visit STEP Diagnostics.
