5VZ cranks and sputters but no start, P0340 code

My 1997 4Runner (5VZ-FE) recently blew a head gasket and I ended up replacing both head gaskets, timing belt, water pump, and spark plugs. Everything went alright until I went to start it and the engine cranks and sputters but won't start. It backfires out the intake sometimes a couple times. It idled at about 300rpm for probably 3 seconds. So I plug my OBD2 scanner in and get P0340 camshaft position sensor code. Connector is plugged in. So I pull timing cover off and look at the timing thinking maybe I messed it up, but timing marks all line up. I check continuity of camshaft position sensor harness to ground and it's okay. Camshaft position sensor resistance measures okay but I replaced it anyway with a used one from a mechanic buddy who says it came off a working car. Still throws the P0340 code and won't start. I also checked that I put correct timing pulley on the correct side and that the little tooth is okay.

So, now I come to here for advice. I believe the problem is spark timing is off from something being wrong with the camshaft position sensor or its wiring harness. Am I going to need some really long multimeter leads to reach from camshaft position sensor harness to the ECM to check continuity? Any other ideas on what could be causing this?

 

Did you get the Crank "multi-toothed shim" whatever you call it on correctly? In the video below he shows how to do a cam\crank sync test and explains the wave forms. He is able to show the CAM waveform compared to the Crank waveform and it's out of whack due to that toothy washer you have to put on the crank. In his case, it was missing teeth.

He did not get the code you got however.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjtvFEUWyMk

Otherwise, you're looking at figuring out that CAM sensor circuit and maybe trying another ECU.

 

Also this thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/p0340-code-new-ecu.774463/

If you took the cam pulleys off, make sure you got them back on in the same spots.

In the end, this guy had a wiring break in the harness. So yeah, you may need some long leads. I use 15 feet of paired speaker wire with a pair of alligator clips on both ends. It's been super handy for lots of testing when you want to check the rear of a car with something up front.

 

In my search for more info I did find someone who had teeth broken off that part. I never actually removed that pulley and didn’t notice any broken teeth when I put timing belt on. There’s a chance it broke a tooth after but I would think it’d throw the P0335 code for the crankshaft position sensor instead of camshaft position sensor.

 

When I checked the timing I made sure I had the pulleys on the right side. I am thinking at this point I damaged the wiring harness somehow putting it all back together. Might have to try the long wire with alligator clips. I am worried something went wrong with the ECM but it seems more likely I damaged a wire somehow.

 

Well I used some long wires with alligator clips and tested the wire from sensor to ECU and… it’s fine. No clue now what is going on short of my ecu got fried somehow. I guess there could be a bad ground somewhere but all the wires test fine and nothing seems to not be grounded.

 

There is also white smoke out the tailpipe when I try to start it.

 

Same issue here. Did you figure out your issue? I know this is an older post but maybe....