P0346: Camshaft position sensor A signal out of range (bank 2)
The camshaft signal does not line up with the crankshaft signal. It may be the sensor or wiring, but also incorrect timing.
| Code | P0346 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P03xx, Ignition and misfires |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0346 means
The camshaft sensor tells the ECU which stroke each cylinder is on, so it can inject at the right moment and control variable valve timing if fitted. Here the signal arrives, but not at the moment the ECU expects relative to the crankshaft, or irregularly, and sometimes the sensor is fine and the real problem is the timing between camshaft and crankshaft. Bank 2 is the side of the engine opposite cylinder 1; it only exists on V or boxer engines. Which sensor is "A" is up to each manufacturer (often the intake cam is A and the exhaust cam is B).
Most common causes
- Poor connector contact or wiring picking up interference
- Sensor dirty or not seated properly
- Failed sensor
- Wrong oil level or worn oil, affecting variable valve timing
- Stretched timing belt or chain, or timing one tooth out
- Damaged reluctor on the camshaft
Symptoms
- Longer cranking before the engine starts
- Less power or slower response
- Slightly rough idle
- Engine warning light on
Can you drive with P0346?
With care You can usually keep driving, as the ECU can manage using the crankshaft sensor, but the engine is down on power and may be hard to start. Get it checked soon.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
Check the oil level on the dipstick first. And if the timing belt or chain was recently replaced, tell the garage, as that is the first thing to check.
How to read and clear P0346 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0346 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P0342 Camshaft position sensor A circuit low input (bank 1)
- P0343 Camshaft position sensor A circuit high input (bank 1)
- P0344 Camshaft position sensor A circuit intermittent (bank 1)
- P0345 Camshaft position sensor A circuit fault (bank 2)
- P0347 The camshaft position sensor A (bank 2) gives a lower signal than normal
- P0348 The camshaft position sensor A (bank 2) gives a higher signal than normal
- P0349 The camshaft position sensor A (bank 2) fails now and then
- P034C The ion detection system gives readings outside the normal range
- P0300 Random or multiple cylinder misfire
- P0301 Misfire detected in cylinder 1
- P0302 Misfire detected in cylinder 2
- P0303 Misfire detected in cylinder 3
What does code P0346 mean?
The camshaft sensor tells the ECU which stroke each cylinder is on, so it can inject at the right moment and control variable valve timing if fitted. Here the signal arrives, but not at the moment the ECU expects relative to the crankshaft, or irregularly, and sometimes the sensor is fine and the real problem is the timing between camshaft and crankshaft. Bank 2 is the side of the engine opposite cylinder 1; it only exists on V or boxer engines. Which sensor is "A" is up to each manufacturer (often the intake cam is A and the exhaust cam is B).
Can you drive with P0346?
You can usually keep driving, as the ECU can manage using the crankshaft sensor, but the engine is down on power and may be hard to start. Get it checked soon.
How do you clear P0346?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0346 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
