P0345 Code: Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit (Bank 2)
The cam sensor on bank 2, the side without cylinder 1, has a missing or faulty signal on a V6 or V8.
At a glance
Severity: Moderate
- Meaning
- Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit (Bank 2)
- System
- Ignition & Misfire · Powertrain
- Safe to drive?
- With caution
- Typical repair cost
- $110–$700
- DIY difficulty
- Moderate
P0345 only exists on engines that have a separate cam sensor on each cylinder bank, which means V6, V8 and some boxer engines with variable valve timing on both heads. Bank 2 is always the bank that does not contain cylinder 1, and which physical side that is depends on the manufacturer. On Ford V8s, bank 1 is the passenger side, so bank 2 is the driver side. On GM and Chrysler V8s it's the other way around: bank 1 is the driver side and bank 2 the passenger side. On transverse V6 engines, bank 2 is often the front (radiator-side) bank, but always confirm in service information. The code means the computer lost, or can't make sense of, the intake cam signal from that bank. The engine keeps running on the crank signal and bank 1's cam sensor, but bank 2 phasing is usually frozen, so power and smoothness suffer.
Can I keep driving? Generally drivable: the engine can synchronize from the crank and bank 1 cam signals. Expect reduced power and possibly a rougher idle while bank 2 variable valve timing is disabled, and have it repaired before it's combined with another sensor fault.
How to read P0345
- P Powertrain
- 0 Generic (SAE)
- 3 Ignition / misfire
- 45 Specific fault
Symptoms
- Check-engine light with the engine otherwise running fairly normally
- Noticeable loss of power, especially at higher rpm
- Slightly uneven idle as the two banks run at different cam timing
- Somewhat longer cranking on some engines
- Lower fuel economy
Possible causes
Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).
- Failed bank 2 cam sensor
- Bank 2 harness damaged by heat or rubbing, often where it passes an exhaust manifold or under the intake plenum
- Oil leaking past the sensor seal into the connector
- Shared reference or sensor ground fault
- Low battery or cranking voltage
- Damaged target wheel on the bank 2 intake cam
- Engine computer fault
Diagnosis step by step
Identify which side is bank 2 on your engine
Find cylinder 1 in the service information or on the intake manifold; bank 1 is that side and bank 2 the opposite side. It's an easy place to go wrong, and replacing the sensor on the wrong bank is one of the most common wasted repairs for this code.
Tools: Flashlight
Compare both banks on the scan tool
Look at cam position or cam angle for bank 1 and bank 2. If bank 1 reads normally and bank 2 shows nothing, a fixed value or 'not synchronized', the fault is confined to bank 2's sensor circuit, not to the crank sensor or computer supply.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Swap sensors between banks if they are identical
On many V engines both intake cam sensors use the same part. Swap them, clear the codes and run the engine. If the code changes to P0340, the sensor is bad; if P0345 stays, the wiring or connector on bank 2 is at fault.
Tools: Screwdriver, OBD-II scanner
Measure supply, ground and signal at the bank 2 connector
Key on, you should see about 5 volts (12 on some designs) on the reference pin and a clean ground under 0.1 volt against battery negative. While cranking, a Hall sensor's signal should toggle between near 0 and near 5 volts.
Tools: Multimeter
Inspect the harness along bank 2
Follow the wiring from the sensor. Look for a loom that has cooked against an exhaust manifold, a crushed section under the plenum, or rubbing on a bracket at the back of the head. On transverse engines the rear bank's harness is harder to see, so use a mirror and good light.
Tools: Flashlight, Pliers
Replace, then confirm both banks synchronize
Install the new sensor with a new O-ring, torque it to spec and clear the codes. Confirm on the scan tool that both banks report cam position and that the bank 2 phaser now responds to commands.
Tools: Torque wrench, OBD-II scanner
Where the parts are
- 1Ignition coil
- 2Spark plug
- 3Fuel injector
- 4Camshaft sensor
- 5Crankshaft sensor
- 6Engine computer (ECM)
- 7Intake manifold
Repair options & costs
| Repair | DIY? | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Replace bank 2 cam sensor (front or open bank) | Yes | $110–$300 |
| Replace bank 2 cam sensor (rear bank, intake plenum or cowl removal) | No | $300–$700 |
| Repair heat-damaged bank 2 harness | No | $120–$420 |
| Clean oil from connector and replace leaking sensor | Yes | $130–$350 |
Rough US estimates for parts and labor; shop rates vary by region. Not a quote.
Notes by brand
Field data
| Nissan | 3 | Murano, Altima | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford | 2 | F-150, F-150 SUPERCAB DIESEL |
Source: NHTSA Complaints API (US government open data), analyzed by DTC mention.
Emissions / smog test impact
Will fail
With P0345 stored and the check-engine light on, the vehicle fails an OBD emissions inspection. After the repair, drive a few days so all monitors can report ready before the retest.
Frequently asked questions
Which side is bank 2?
Bank 2 is the side without cylinder 1. On Ford V8s that's the driver side; on GM and Chrysler V8s it's the passenger side. On transverse V6s it's often the front bank, but check the service information for your engine before buying parts.
Why does my car only have P0345 and not P0340?
Because each bank has its own sensor and wiring. The bank 1 sensor is still working, so the computer can synchronize the engine, and only bank 2's sensor or its circuit has a problem.
Can I swap the bank 1 and bank 2 cam sensors to test?
On many engines, yes, if the two intake cam sensors share the same part number and connector. If the code moves to P0340 after the swap, you've proven the sensor is bad. If it stays at P0345, look at the bank 2 wiring.
My engine only has one cam sensor. Why does it show P0345?
It shouldn't on a correctly identified engine. Some generic scan tools show a best-guess description; check the definition with a scan tool that knows your make, and verify the engine code, before chasing a sensor that may not exist.