Loss of engine power P0340 bent CPS Sensor
 

I was travelling in my 1998 DI on the interstate and the engine started to lose rpm/power and buck. Fuel trims were -25 on each bank and the engine backfired. Got off the interstate and pulled codes P0340 CPS sensor. I took the sensor out after the truck cooled and replaced it. When I started it made a horrible grinding sound. Removed the CPS and the tip was bent. What do you think is the problem? Is the flex plate broken or something? Only 127k on the engine.

Remove the inspection cover on the tranny and find out. Look at the reluctor ring, I'm sure you have bent tabs now that the sensor has been struck. When you removed the original sensor do your remember seeing a washer come off with it? That's a spacer....... Without the spacer you just pushed the sensor right into the same space as the tabs, the tabs always win.....

Oh, one other thing, your MIL (P0340) was for the Cam Position Sensor (CPS) and not the Crankshaft Position Sensor (CkPS).

This is the second or third bent sensor shaft I have seen on this forum. I think i will check mine just for grins, I have a new one in box, as insurance to keep me from being stranded if and when it goes south.

If your not having any running issues (CEL or rough running) your good to go. It's honestly kinda rare to have either sensor outright fail but they are electrical. Usually it's a wire issue, frayed, melted insulation and or corrosion that effects the signal.

There was a large metal piece that slid no the sensor. It appears to have been a spacer and was replaced when it was put back on. Can the tabs be bent back without dropping the transmission?

Yep ---https://landroverforums.com/forum/discovery-i-39/97-disco-i-crankshaft-protruding-forward-housing-slipped-drive-belt-75011/page4/