Stuck on 4th gear, camshaft position sensor
Thread Starter
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 464
Stuck on 4th gear, camshaft position sensor
Just want to share this with all who is having the same problem.
After 155k miles, my car got stuck on 4th gear while driving on the highway. No check engine light came on. I read the code through the gas pedal method and it showed P0340. Every time I shut off the car and waited for more than a few hours, the shifting would be fine. When the car got hot, the gear got stuck again on 4th. So I went and bought two camshaft position sensors from Nissan. From reading the forum, I didn't want to take any chances with aftermarket parts and get the same problem again after a week. The sensors are $96 each. The back one looks tough to change so I dropped it off to a shop. I was able to change the front one myself with a 10mm wrench. Even though the code indicated only the rear one needed to be changed, I changed both to play it safe.
After 155k miles, my car got stuck on 4th gear while driving on the highway. No check engine light came on. I read the code through the gas pedal method and it showed P0340. Every time I shut off the car and waited for more than a few hours, the shifting would be fine. When the car got hot, the gear got stuck again on 4th. So I went and bought two camshaft position sensors from Nissan. From reading the forum, I didn't want to take any chances with aftermarket parts and get the same problem again after a week. The sensors are $96 each. The back one looks tough to change so I dropped it off to a shop. I was able to change the front one myself with a 10mm wrench. Even though the code indicated only the rear one needed to be changed, I changed both to play it safe.
The rear one is a bit more tricky to get to, as the space is tighter. but once you remove the air cleaner assembly it gives you ample room. Just make sure the engine is cool or it will make for some toasty hands 
When I had the max, I changed both of the CAM sensors with OEM replacements, but I continued to have the stuck in 5th problem. My issue was worse, though, because the car was also stalling randomly and giving trouble to restart. I went under the car and found that the crank sensor and harness were covered in sludge and grime (My car had a minor ATF leak which caused some pretty bad buildup over time). I unbolted the sensor, cleaned out the harness and mounting area with MAF cleaner, and replaced the sensor with a $20 Duralast one from autozone (at that point I was so frustrated with the car that I didn't bother getting a nissan crank sensor). After changing the crank sensor, the problem went away.
Hope this can help if you continue having the issue after the other cam sensor replacement.
When I had the max, I changed both of the CAM sensors with OEM replacements, but I continued to have the stuck in 5th problem. My issue was worse, though, because the car was also stalling randomly and giving trouble to restart. I went under the car and found that the crank sensor and harness were covered in sludge and grime (My car had a minor ATF leak which caused some pretty bad buildup over time). I unbolted the sensor, cleaned out the harness and mounting area with MAF cleaner, and replaced the sensor with a $20 Duralast one from autozone (at that point I was so frustrated with the car that I didn't bother getting a nissan crank sensor). After changing the crank sensor, the problem went away.
Hope this can help if you continue having the issue after the other cam sensor replacement.
Last edited by CRiME; Aug 12, 2013 at 03:49 PM.
Pretty good picture of it here:
http://www.sparkys-answers.com/2011/...sion-will.html
You have to remove a small metal shield to access it, which I believe is held on by a 10mm bolt. simple swap, takes about 5-10 minutes including cleaning up the area.
http://www.sparkys-answers.com/2011/...sion-will.html
You have to remove a small metal shield to access it, which I believe is held on by a 10mm bolt. simple swap, takes about 5-10 minutes including cleaning up the area.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 876
From: Lagos, Nigeria
Just want to share this with all who is having the same problem.
After 155k miles, my car got stuck on 4th gear while driving on the highway. No check engine light came on. I read the code through the gas pedal method and it showed P0340. Every time... I went and bought two camshaft position sensors from Nissan...Even though the code indicated only the rear one needed to be changed, I changed both to play it safe.
After 155k miles, my car got stuck on 4th gear while driving on the highway. No check engine light came on. I read the code through the gas pedal method and it showed P0340. Every time... I went and bought two camshaft position sensors from Nissan...Even though the code indicated only the rear one needed to be changed, I changed both to play it safe.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 32
From: Southeastern Wisconsin, East of Madison, small town of Hustisford
Pretty good picture of it here:
http://www.sparkys-answers.com/2011/...sion-will.html
You have to remove a small metal shield to access it, which I believe is held on by a 10mm bolt. simple swap, takes about 5-10 minutes including cleaning up the area.
http://www.sparkys-answers.com/2011/...sion-will.html
You have to remove a small metal shield to access it, which I believe is held on by a 10mm bolt. simple swap, takes about 5-10 minutes including cleaning up the area.
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