P0340 on Ford — Flashing glow plug light and sudden engine shutdown while driving
Code P0340 reports a generic fault on the camshaft position sensor. On the Ford Focus Mk1 1.8 TDCi it shows up as a flashing glow plug light and the engine cutting out suddenly while driving.
- System
- Fuel injection
- Component
- Camshaft position sensor
- Fault
- While driving, the glow plug warning light intermittently starts to flash and the engine cuts out suddenly; restarting is then difficult.
- Typical symptoms
-
- Flashing glow plug light while driving
- The engine cuts out suddenly on the move
- Restarting is difficult after the engine cuts out
- The fault occurs intermittently
- Vehicles affected
-
- Ford Focus Mk1 1.8 TDCi 8v
- Main code
-
- P0340 Camshaft position sensor 1, bank 1, generic fault
- Solution
-
See the repair procedure verified on Sema Repair.
The cause and the repair are on Sema Repair
On Sema Repair this code is linked to verified case studies, with the confirmed cause case by case, the job step by step, indicative times, the manufacturer's notes and a photograph of the component with the point of intervention highlighted.
Frequently asked questions about P0340
Why does the glow plug light flash if the code concerns the camshaft sensor?
On this car a flashing glow plug light is how the control unit signals an engine management fault, not a preheating problem. It should be read alongside the code, not instead of it.
The engine cuts out while driving: can the vehicle still be used?
No. The stall is sudden and happens at speed too, with the loss of brake servo and power steering. The repair must not be postponed.
Is the replacement part the same as the one originally fitted?
Not always. On this engine the manufacturer revised the component after initial production: checking the updated part number is part of the repair.