2003 not start

[gturb03]

Thanks for letting me join this forum.
My mom has a 2003 vibe 1.8L vin 8.
we get code P1346 Intake Camshaft Position System Performance Conditions.
It does turn over with no problem. Checked the fuses under the hood. Can't get under the dash to see the fuse block. Does the that block come down or anything?
I changed the camshaft position sensor. it turns over but not trying to fire. What should I look at for this problem?
Thank you for any help.
Jerry

[gturb03]

I have also check every fuse, under the dash and in the engine bay.

[joatmon]

welcome to genvibe, and sorry to hear of the trouble.

All I can offer is some sections from the Toyota matrix service manual, which also apply to a VIN 8 (1ZZ engine) 2003 Vibe. Filenames start with CIP, perhaps that means something like Code Inpsection Procedure
- P1346 VVT Sensor/Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Range/Performance Problem (Bank 1)
- P0335 Crankshaft Position Sensor ”A” Circuit Malfunction (referenced by the P1346 PDF)
- P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction

I did a cursory look through those PDFs, don't see anything that strikes me as being particularly likely or common in Vibes

Sorry I can't offer more help

[jolt]

Where the file cip1346.pdf is saying about checking the timing of the camshaft in relation to the crankshaft, here are the timing marks for the 1zz-fe engine.

cam timing 1zz-fe engine .jpg (93.24 KiB) Viewed 2944 times

[gturb03]

I was going to check that today and cylinder compression test too.

[gturb03]

Ok here is an update. I took the valve cover off and started turning the engine over by hand and the timing chain would up the teeth and would get loose. So there is something wrong in the timing chain. Will the valves and piston hit each other?

[jolt]

You can read this:

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=46117

To quote the first line "So my wife drove her 2005 Vibe base until the timing chain snapped and bent the valves." and most dual overhead cam engines use a chain because of the valve interference. Even old V8 engines could bend the valves if the timing chain jumped a tooth or two. Old Buick's were bad it this. As a general rule (but not allows true): If it has a timing belt and is newer then 2000 year model, it is a non-interference motor; and if it has a timing chain, it is an interference motor.

If you need to pull the head be sure to read the whole topic in the link above with the TSB on the cam timing and updated gear.

The timing chain has a hydraulic tensioner on it. The chain can get loose on the back side of the rotation when turning by hand but should never be able to jump teeth on the gears. Parts wear out with mileage. The chain links wear and stretch along with chain guides wearing out. All of this can cause the chain to get looser than what the hydraulic tensioner can take up and you get a timing chain that has jumped.

[jake75]

So the advantage of a timing chain is that it rarely breaks, but the advantage of a belt is that if it breaks there is no serious engine damage. I am not sure the latter is 100% accurate. But if the engine ran o.k. when last started, and now it just won't start, maybe there is not serious engine damage. At least I hope not for your sake. Replacing an engine in a 14 year old car is probably not a wise investment. But I am amateur and only know what I read. I have never done any serious car maintenance/repair. And I have rarely kept a car beyond 50,000 miles. My 2009 Vibe 1.8 now has 48,000 miles and we recently bought a 2017 Chevy Equinox so the Vibe has been relegated to our secondary vehicle. It probably won't get used more that 2,500 miles a year going forward. At that rate it may last the rest of my life (74 now).