# P0345: Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit (Bank 2) **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week Engine sensors - Generic OBD-II code, applies to all gasoline cars and light trucks sold in the US since 1996. - **Typical cost:** $120-$450 - **Urgency:** This week - **Most likely:** Failed bank 2 cam sensor or wiring - **DIY?:** Sometimes, if easy to reach ## Quick answer P0345 means the engine computer is not getting a proper signal from camshaft position sensor "A" on bank 2, the side of a V engine without cylinder 1. A failed sensor or damaged wiring is the most common cause. The engine may crank longer before starting, run rough, or stall on some vehicles. ## What does P0345 mean? V6 and V8 engines with overhead camshafts usually have a camshaft position sensor on each cylinder bank. Each one reads a notched wheel or shaped lobe on its camshaft and sends pulses to the engine computer. Together with the crankshaft sensor, those pulses tell the computer which stroke each cylinder is on, and on engines with variable valve timing they confirm each camshaft's actual position. P0345 is a circuit code for camshaft sensor "A" on bank 2. Sensor A usually means the intake camshaft, and bank 2 is the side opposite cylinder 1. The computer sets P0345 when it sees no signal, a signal stuck high or low, or a pattern it cannot use while the crank sensor shows the engine turning. Many vehicles set it on the first trip it is detected. P0345 only applies to engines with two cylinder banks, so a four-cylinder engine should not set it. ## What are the symptoms of P0345? - Check engine light on - Extended cranking before the engine starts - Rough idle, hesitation or reduced power - Stalling on some engines - Variable valve timing codes for bank 2 may appear too ## What causes P0345? Ranked from most to least likely. Check them in this order: the cheap, common causes first. 1. **Failed bank 2 camshaft sensor** (most common). Cam sensors on V engines sit on the cylinder head or timing cover, close to engine heat, and their electronics wear out with years of heat cycles. A failing sensor may give no signal, or one that cuts out once hot. A scope or scan tool showing no bank 2 cam activity with good wiring points to the sensor. 2. **Damaged wiring or connector** (common). The bank 2 sensor harness often runs across the back of the engine or near the exhaust manifold, which bakes the insulation over time. Cracked wires, corroded pins and oil-soaked connectors are typical, and rodent damage happens on parked cars. Inspect the connector lock and wiggle-test the wiring while watching the signal. 3. **Shared sensor power or ground fault** (less common). The engine computer often powers both cam sensors and other sensors from a shared supply. A short in one sensor, or a poor ground, can kill the bank 2 cam signal and often sets P0340 alongside P0345. When several sensor codes appear together, a shop checks the shared power and ground circuits first. 4. **Timing chain or reluctor problem** (rare). A stretched timing chain, a jumped belt or a damaged reluctor on the bank 2 camshaft can disturb the signal the computer expects. This usually brings correlation codes such as P0018 or P0019 and rattling noises. It is more likely on high-mileage engines with irregular oil changes, so a shop checks timing before replacing sensors repeatedly. ## How do you diagnose P0345? 1. Read all codes and note whether P0340 or bank 2 timing codes such as P0018 or P0019 are also stored. 2. Confirm which side is bank 2 and which sensor is "A" for your engine using service information. 3. Inspect the bank 2 cam sensor connector and harness for damage, oil and corrosion. 4. Check power, ground and signal at the sensor connector, and scope the signal while cranking. 5. If P0340 is also stored, test the shared sensor power and ground before replacing either cam sensor. ## How do you fix P0345, and what does it cost? | Fix | Typical cost | What it involves | | --- | --- | --- | | Replace bank 2 camshaft position sensor | $150-$450 | Rear-bank sensors on some transverse V6 engines take more labor to reach. | | Repair sensor wiring or connector | $120-$350 | Fixes damaged wire, corroded pins or a loose plug. | | Repair timing chain or belt | $900-$3,000 | Only if timing has stretched or jumped; cost depends heavily on the engine. | Full price breakdowns: [camshaft position sensor replacement cost](/cost/camshaft-position-sensor-replacement), [timing chain replacement cost](/cost/timing-chain-replacement). ## Is it safe to drive with P0345? > **Drive to a shop this week.** Usually drivable for a short time if the engine runs well, but get it fixed soon. If it stalls, will not restart or rattles loudly, stop driving it to avoid being stranded or damaging the engine. ## Will P0345 fail an emissions test? With P0345 stored and the check engine light on, a car fails an OBD-based emissions test in most states. A missing bank 2 cam signal can also stop the computer from checking variable valve timing on that bank. After the repair, clear the code and drive normally until all readiness monitors report complete. ## After the repair: clearing P0345 Clear the code and start the engine several times, cold and fully warm, since many cam sensors fail when hot. A scan tool should show a steady bank 2 cam signal and no new timing codes. If the code and starting problems do not return over a week of mixed driving, the repair worked. ## How to prevent P0345 - Change oil on schedule to protect timing chains and variable valve timing parts on both banks. - Fix valve cover and timing cover leaks before oil soaks the bank 2 sensor connector. - Keep the rear-bank harness clipped away from the exhaust manifold after any repair work. - Buy quality cam sensors, since poor-quality parts often bring the code back quickly. ## Codes often seen with P0345 - [P0340](/codes/p0340): Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) - [P0365](/codes/p0365): Camshaft Position Sensor "B" Circuit (Bank 1) - [P0344](/codes/p0344): Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Intermittent (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) - [P0018](/codes/p0018): Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor A) - [P0019](/codes/p0019): Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor B) ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I drive with a P0345 code? Often yes for a short time, since many engines can run on the crank signal and the remaining cam sensor. Starting may take longer and the engine may run rough. If it stalls, refuses to restart or makes a rattling noise, stop driving and have it checked promptly. ### Where is the bank 2 camshaft sensor? It is on the cylinder head or timing cover of bank 2, the side without cylinder 1. On many front-wheel-drive V6 cars that is the front bank, but on some it is the rear bank near the firewall. Check service information for your engine before buying or replacing a sensor. ### How much does it cost to fix P0345? Most P0345 repairs cost $120 to $450 at an independent shop. A new bank 2 cam sensor runs about $150 to $450 depending on access, and a wiring repair $120 to $350. If timing has stretched or jumped, a timing chain or belt job costs much more. ### What is the difference between P0340 and P0345? Both are camshaft sensor A circuit codes, but P0340 is for bank 1 and P0345 is for bank 2. Each points to its own sensor and wiring. If both appear at once, a shared power supply, ground or timing problem is more likely than two sensors failing together. ### Can P0345 appear on a four-cylinder engine? It should not, because P0345 refers to bank 2 and most four-cylinder engines have only one bank. If a scan tool reports it on a four-cylinder, check the code description in service information, since some tools mislabel codes. Bank 1 cam sensor codes are P0340 and P0365 instead. ### Can I replace the bank 2 cam sensor myself? Sometimes, if the sensor is on the front bank and held by one bolt. Rear-bank sensors on transverse V6 engines can be hard to reach and may need parts removed. Disconnect the battery, fit a new O-ring, and check the wiring before assuming the sensor is bad. ### Can a bad cam sensor cause a misfire? It can contribute on some engines, because a missing cam signal may upset injector and coil timing on that bank. More often it causes hard starting or rough running than true misfire codes. If misfire codes appear too, fix the cam sensor problem first and recheck. ### Do I need to relearn anything after replacing a cam sensor? Most vehicles do not need a special relearn after a cam sensor replacement; clearing the code is enough. Some makers recommend a scan-tool procedure after timing work or a variable valve timing repair. Check service information or ask the shop whether your engine needs one. ### Can a timing chain cause P0345? It can, though it is less common than a failed sensor or wiring. A stretched chain or damaged reluctor may distort the bank 2 cam signal and usually adds codes such as P0018 or P0019. A rattle on cold starts is a warning sign worth mentioning to the shop. ### Will P0345 pass inspection? No, P0345 with the check engine light on fails an OBD-based emissions test in most states. Clearing the code resets readiness monitors, so the car may show not ready if tested too soon. Repair the cause and drive several days of normal trips before testing. ## Sources - [SAE J2012: Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions](https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j2012_201812/) - [EPA: On-Board Diagnostics (OBD)](https://www.epa.gov/state-and-local-transportation/vehicle-emissions-board-diagnostics-obd) ## Other engine sensors codes - [P0327 Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Low (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0327) - [P0332 Knock Sensor 2 Circuit Low (Bank 2)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0332) - [P0335 Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0335) - [P0336 Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0336) - [P0339 Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Intermittent](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0339) - [P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0340) - [P0341 Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0341) - [P0344 Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Intermittent (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0344) - [P0351 Ignition Coil "A" Primary/Secondary Circuit](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0351) - [P0352 Ignition Coil "B" Primary/Secondary Circuit](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0352) - [P0018 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor A)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0018) - [P0365 Camshaft Position Sensor "B" Circuit (Bank 1)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0365) ## Symptoms - [Why does my car crank but not start?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/car-cranks-but-wont-start) - [Why does my car stall while driving?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/car-stalls-while-driving) - [Why is my car idling rough?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/rough-idle) ## Repair costs - [Camshaft position sensor replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/camshaft-position-sensor-replacement): $120-$350 - [Timing chain replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/timing-chain-replacement): $1,200-$3,500 --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0345 Updated: 2026-11-03 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.