P0345
Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2)P0345 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2). It is logged by the engine control unit when the ckp/cmp monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.
What P0345 means
P0345 is set when the PCM detects a circuit fault in Camshaft Position Sensor "A" on Bank 2 — the cylinder bank that does not contain cylinder #1. This code is therefore exclusive to multi-bank engines: V6, V8, V10, and flat-six/flat-eight layouts. Each bank has its own cam sensor feeding the PCM, and the Bank 2 sensor is frequently located in a less accessible position, making it more vulnerable to delayed maintenance and to harness routing issues that differ from the Bank 1 sensor.
The PCM uses the Bank 2 CMP signal to sequence fuel injection on Bank 2 cylinders and, on variable valve timing systems, to control the Bank 2 exhaust or intake cam phaser. When P0345 is active the PCM may fall back to a batch-fire injection mode for Bank 2, degrading performance and emissions. On vehicles with independent Bank 2 VVT, cam timing is fixed at a default position, reducing power at mid and high RPM. Causes span the same range as other CMP codes — sensor failure, harness damage, connector corrosion, and cam tone ring damage — but the additional complication is that Bank 2 harnesses are often longer, run closer to exhaust components on certain platforms, and are more susceptible to oil leaks from rear cam cover gaskets on transversely-mounted V6 engines.
Common causes
Most-frequently reported root causes when P0345 is logged.
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1
Failed camshaft position sensor on Bank 2 — internal Hall-effect element failure or coil breakdown
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2
Corroded or loose Bank 2 CMP sensor connector, often worsened by proximity to oil leaks from the cam cover
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3
Chafed or heat-damaged wiring harness along the Bank 2 routing (frequently near exhaust manifold or turbocharger)
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4
Damaged or missing cam tone ring segment on the Bank 2 camshaft
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5
Timing chain stretch or cam phaser wear on Bank 2 causing erratic position feedback
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6
Failed PCM input circuit for the Bank 2 CMP channel
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7
Oil contamination or sludge buildup on the sensor tip reducing magnetic signal amplitude
Symptoms drivers notice
How to diagnose P0345
A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.
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1
Scan all stored codes and identify whether companion Bank 2 misfire codes (P030x) are present, which confirms Bank 2 is the affected side
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2
Locate the Bank 2 CMP sensor on the engine (opposite side from cylinder 1); inspect for oil contamination from the cam cover gasket and clean as needed
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3
Check the sensor connector for corroded or backed-out pins; apply contact cleaner, reseat firmly, and clear codes to see if the fault returns
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4
Measure supply voltage (5 V reference), ground, and signal voltage at the sensor connector with the ignition on — compare readings against the Bank 1 sensor as a known-good reference
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5
Inspect the Bank 2 sensor harness along its full routing for heat damage, chafing near exhaust components, or abrasion against engine brackets
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6
Use an oscilloscope to compare Bank 1 and Bank 2 CMP waveforms side by side at idle — any amplitude difference or missing pulses on Bank 2 confirms the fault location
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7
Replace the Bank 2 CMP sensor if waveform is absent or distorted and wiring checks are clean; verify cam tone ring integrity before closing up
Related powertrain codes
- P000A — A Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 1
- P000B — B Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 1
- P000C — A Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 2
- P000D — B Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 2
- P0010 — A Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)
- P0011 — A Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1)
Frequently asked questions
Which bank is Bank 2 on my engine?
Bank 2 is the cylinder bank that does not contain cylinder #1. On most longitudinally-mounted V8s this is the passenger side (US/left-hand-drive). On transversely-mounted V6 engines the rear bank (away from the firewall) is typically Bank 2, but always confirm with your vehicle's service manual as layouts vary by manufacturer.
Can P0345 cause a no-start?
In most cases no, because Bank 1 still provides crankshaft synchronisation data and the PCM can default Bank 2 to batch fire. However, on some PCM calibrations a complete Bank 2 CMP signal loss during cold cranking can extend crank time significantly or cause a no-start, particularly on engines with variable valve timing on both banks.
Why does P0345 appear more often on V6 engines?
Transversely-mounted V6 engines place the rear bank (Bank 2) in a tight, poorly ventilated space with more exposure to heat, oil mist from rear cam cover seals, and longer harness runs. This combination of thermal stress, oil contamination, and connector stress makes Bank 2 sensors on these platforms more failure-prone than their Bank 1 counterparts.
I replaced the Bank 2 CMP sensor but P0345 came back. What next?
Check the harness thoroughly for heat damage or a chafe point, as a shorted or open wire will defeat any new sensor immediately. Also inspect the cam tone ring for a missing or chipped segment, and verify timing chain condition — a stretched chain can produce erratic cam position signals that mimic a sensor failure.
Disabling P0345 in software
RaceTune can permanently disable P0345 — and any other OBD-II diagnostic trouble code — on every ECU family we support. The monitor is disabled inside the ECU itself, so the fault stops being logged: the warning light stays off and the engine never enters limp mode for this code. The change is tied to your exact software version.
Software modifications affect emissions compliance and are not road-legal in many jurisdictions. RaceTune service files are intended for motorsport, off-road, and export use.
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