P0349
Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent (Bank 2)P0349 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent (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 P0349 means
P0349 is stored when the PCM detects an intermittent signal from the Bank 2 Camshaft Position Sensor "A" circuit. Unlike P0347 (stuck-low) and P0348 (stuck-high), the signal is not permanently failed — it drops in and out unpredictably. The PCM detects the dropout by monitoring for gaps or inconsistencies in the cam-signal pulse train that cannot be explained by normal cam rotation.
Intermittent faults are often the most difficult to diagnose because the fault may not be present when the vehicle is on a scan tool. Common triggers include harness chafing that creates a momentary short only under vibration or thermal expansion, a connector with a partially backed-out pin that makes and breaks contact, or a sensor with a cracked piezo or Hall-effect element that fails when hot. Oil saturation of a connector that causes high-resistance contact is another typical scenario.
Although symptoms may be subtle or only appear at certain engine temperatures or RPM ranges, the PCM cannot maintain precise cam-timing control during dropout events, causing momentary misfires, hesitation, or rough running that the driver may perceive as random stumbles. If the sensor drops out frequently enough, additional misfire codes may be stored alongside P0349.
Common causes
Most-frequently reported root causes when P0349 is logged.
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1
Harness chafing creating a momentary open or short that only activates under vibration or heat
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2
Partially backed-out or corroded connector pin making intermittent contact at the Bank 2 CMP sensor or PCM end
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3
Faulty Bank 2 CMP sensor with a cracked or heat-degraded internal Hall-effect element that fails when hot
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4
Oil-soaked connector creating intermittent high-resistance contact at the sensor pins
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5
Loose sensor mounting bolt allowing the sensor body to vibrate, varying clearance to the reluctor ring
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6
Damaged or partially missing reluctor ring teeth causing periodic signal loss during cam rotation
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7
Loose or failing PCM connector pin on the Bank 2 cam-input channel
Symptoms drivers notice
How to diagnose P0349
A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.
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1
Retrieve all stored DTCs and freeze-frame data; pay special attention to fuel trim and misfire codes on Bank 2 that may correlate with the P0349 event
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2
Perform a wiggle test: with the engine idling, shake and flex the CMP sensor wiring harness in sections while monitoring live Bank 2 CMP signal data on a scan tool — a signal dropout during harness manipulation isolates the fault location
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3
Inspect the connector thoroughly for partially backed-out pins, spread terminals, corrosion, and oil intrusion; clean or replace the connector as needed
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4
Check the sensor mounting bolt torque; a loose sensor can move relative to the reluctor ring under vibration, causing intermittent signal loss
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5
If no fault is found cold, perform a re-test at operating temperature — heat-related sensor failures will often reveal themselves only when the engine is fully warmed up
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6
Inspect the Bank 2 camshaft reluctor ring for partially damaged or corroded teeth that produce a periodic gap in the signal
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7
If wiring and sensor pass all tests, monitor for a repeat code and consider using a data logger to capture the signal waveform over an extended drive cycle; the captured waveform will confirm whether the dropout is electrical or mechanical
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8
Replace the CMP sensor if all wiring tests pass and the fault is isolated to the sensor under thermal or vibration stress
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
Why is an intermittent code harder to fix than a hard fault?
With P0347 or P0348 the circuit is continuously failed, so the fault is always measurable. With P0349 the fault only occurs under specific conditions — temperature, vibration, or RPM — meaning the circuit may test perfectly normal on the bench. The wiggle test while monitoring live data is the most reliable technique for finding intermittent wiring faults.
Can P0349 appear alongside P0346, P0347, or P0348?
Occasionally. A sensor or connector in late-stage failure may set multiple codes in different drive cycles — for example P0347 when the circuit fails hard during a cold soak and P0349 once it warms up and partially recovers. The combination helps narrow down whether the fault is thermal or vibration-related.
Does P0349 mean the sensor always needs to be replaced?
Not necessarily. Many P0349 cases are resolved by repairing or replacing the wiring connector, correcting a chafed wire, or re-torquing a loose sensor. Always test the harness thoroughly before replacing the sensor itself, as wiring repairs are often cheaper and more durable.
Disabling P0349 in software
RaceTune can permanently disable P0349 — 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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