P0346 means Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 2). The camshaft position sensor A signal on bank 2 is present but does not match what the computer expects from the crankshaft signal. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0346 means
The engine computer uses the crankshaft position sensor to know engine speed and piston position, and the camshaft sensors to know which stroke each cylinder is on. On engines with variable valve timing, oil-driven cam phasers rotate the camshafts relative to the crankshaft under the control of solenoids. Timing codes come from a sensor that cannot be read, or from a measured cam angle that does not match the commanded one, so oil level and condition, sensor signals and mechanical timing all need checking.
P0346 symptoms
- Hard starting or long cranking
- Stalling
- Rough running
- Check engine light
Common causes of P0346
- Failing sensor
- Damaged reluctor or tone wheel
- Stretched timing chain or jumped timing
- Poor connection
How to diagnose P0346
- Check the sensor connector and wiring
- Check reference voltage and ground at the sensor
- Compare cam and crank signals with a scope or scan tool
- Check timing if the signal is present but out of place
Can you drive with P0346?
Use caution; the engine may stall or fail to restart.
P0346 tips
Cam position codes on one bank only can be the first sign of a stretched timing chain on some engines; compare cam and crank timing.
Will P0346 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0346 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0345 | Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit (Bank 2) |
| P0347 | Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Low (Bank 2) |
| P0341 | Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
If a stretched chain has already jumped time and damaged valves, or low oil pressure has worn the engine, a repair can cost more than a replacement; see engine replacement cost and compare engines by code on our engines page.
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