P0341: Camshaft Position Sensor Signal Out Of Range

What is P0341?

P0341 is a generic OBD-II code defined as Camshaft Position Sensor “A” Circuit Range/Performance.

Your vehicle’s engine control module (ECM) constantly receives a signal from the crankshaft position sensor (CKP) and compares it to a signal obtained from the camshaft position sensor (CMP).

The CMP signal is generated through a reluctor wheel attached to the camshaft that passes by the camshaft sensor.

Trouble code P0341 is triggered when the camshaft position sensor signal exceeds the expected range or doesn’t align with the crankshaft position sensor signal. It’s important to note that extended cranking periods can also set this code.

Understanding The Mechanics Of The CMP Sensor Circuit

The ignition control module (ICM) gathers information from a triggering device (usually the crank sensor or cam sensor) to determine your vehicle’s base ignition timing.

The ICM produces the camshaft position PCM input by filtering the CMP sensor pulses when the engine is in motion, and the CKP sync pulses are also being received.

The PCM constantly checks the number of pulses on the camshaft position PCM input circuit. It compares the number of camshaft position PCM input pulses to the number of 18X reference pulses and the number of 3X reference pulses being received.

Note: The 18X pulses (18 pulses per 360O of the crankshaft) and 3X pulses (3 pulses per 360O of the crankshaft) are signals from the CKP sensor.

If the PCM gets an inaccurate number of pulses on the circuit, DTC P0341 is triggered.

In such cases, the PCM will initiate the injector sequence without the camshaft position PCM input (with a one in six chance that the injector sequence is correct.) The engine will start and run normally, but the misfire diagnostic may be disabled.

Common symptoms

Diagnostic trouble code P0341 is generally identified by a host of symptoms. Following are some of the common ones:

• The check engine light will illuminate. 

Note: Depending on your vehicle’s make, the check engine light may be called Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Service Engine Soon (SES) light.

• The engine will stall while driving and experience sluggish acceleration.
• The engine may experience a misfire or show resistance while driving.
• The vehicle will have low power. Consequently, it may have difficulty starting or experience intermittent starting, and in some cases, it may not start at all. 
• The engine will consume high amounts of fuel (decreasing fuel economy).
• The engine may idle too high or too low.
• The engine will activate the limp mode on picking up the P0341 code.
• You’ll notice inconsistent power through the RPM range due to the mismatched signals of the camshaft sensor and crankshaft sensor. 

Can I still drive?

It’s best to diagnose and repair DTC P0341 before you take your car out for a drive. A failed CMP sensor can cause your vehicle’s engine to stall, jerk, or misfire, leading to a rough driving experience. You’ll even fail the emissions test because the check engine light is on.

Further, due to issues in the camshaft position sensor performance, your engine’s fuel economy may diminish, and it may start with a lot of struggle. You may also observe varying engine speed.

So it’s best to get the CMP sensor checked by a certified mechanic before resuming regular driving.

P0341 causes

Here are some of the root causes that could trigger DTC P0341:

• An electrical interference by the secondary ignition system components (coil, spark plug wire, etc.) to the cam sensor. This interference is triggered by high resistance in the ignition or spark plug wire or due to defective secondary ignition components.
• A defective reluctor wheel mounted on the crankshaft position sensor.
• A stretched timing chain (indicated by a rattling noise) or a failed timing chain tensioner (causing the timing chain to become loose).
• The timing belt or chain jumps a tooth.
• An improperly installed sensor, unable to transmit the PCM input pulses accurately.
• Camshaft position sensor circuit facing problems and acting out due to an issue in the wiring harness.
• Foreign matter passing between the camshaft position sensor and the reluctor wheel.
• Problems with the variable valve timing system.
• A dead car battery or one with a low charge.
• A defective starter motor, identified by a clicking noise when you turn the key or push the start button.

Diagnosis

You should only consult a certified technician to perform the diagnosis rather than attempt to repair it independently.

A mechanic will typically follow these steps to identify the root cause:

1. Scan For Other DTCs

Firstly, they’ll examine your vehicle for the presence of any other engine codes, apart from the P0341 code, via a good OBD-II scan tool. If other codes are detected, the mechanic will repair them immediately.

2. Inspect The Camshaft Position Sensor

Next, your mechanic will closely assess your vehicle’s CMP sensor for anomalies.

This includes looking for:

• Any signs of damage to the harness connector or camshaft sensor itself
• Worn out or broken wires at the camshaft sensor
• Rust formation in the sensor connections
• Any burn stains or discoloration, or problem in the wiring harness

On spotting any of the above, your mechanic will repair them on priority. 

3. Examine The Reluctor Wheel

Then they’ll inspect the reluctor wheel on the cam gear for any signs of damage or missing teeth. They can do it by viewing through the camshaft sensor hole in an engine’s timing cover. If it’s not visible, they’ll remove the timing chain cover to inspect the reluctor wheel. 

4. Analyze The Freeze Frame Data

The freeze frame data captures the erroneous values of the cam sensor when the P0341 code is first detected. This information is stored in the engine’s memory and can be accessed via an OBD-II scan tool.

During diagnosis, your technician can refer to the freeze frame data to gauge the underlying cause of the P0341 trouble code.

By analyzing the freeze frame data, the mechanic can decode how often the faulty CMP signal arises and what’s causing the issues in the camshaft position sensor performance.

The mechanic will verify the cam timing, as the code can be set when a timing belt or chain jumps a tooth. 

5. Verify The Sensor Input

The mechanic will check if the resistance and voltage values indicated at the camshaft position sensor align with the specific values denoted by the vehicle’s manufacturer.

In this step, they must verify that all power, ground, and signal sources provide a steady feed to the cam position sensor. 

6. Test For Continuity To PCM

Next, the mechanic will check for proper current flow from the camshaft position sensor to the PCM on the harness signal wire. They can refer to a wiring diagram specific to your car model for accuracy.

If continuity (complete path for current flow) is not present, they’ll locate the source of the break or gap within the camshaft position sensor circuit.

If continuity is present and still the code P0341 persists, your mechanic will replace the camshaft position sensor. 

7. Reset The Code And Retest

Finally, the mechanic will reset the codes to clear the OBD-II fault codes and retest your vehicle to see if the P0341 code reappears. 

Possible repairs for P0341 & Costs

P0341 can be caused due to a timing chain stretched over time or an issue in the wiring harness. To resolve the P0341 code, one has to get to the exact root cause of the problem, leading to the mismatched signals from the camshaft sensor and crank sensor.

We recommend consulting a technician with specialized mechanical knowledge for effective repair and long-lasting solutions.

The certified technician may perform any of the below-mentioned procedures in an attempt to clear the trouble code:

• Replace the damaged reluctor ring on the cam gear
• Fix corroded connections to the camshaft sensor
• Replace the faulty camshaft sensor

Here’s what you can expect to pay for repairing P0341:

• Cost of the relevant parts: approximately $111-$143
• Standard labor charges: approximately $74-$94
• For camshaft position sensor replacement: $185-$236, depending on the make and model of your car