The camshaft position sensor in your car is the kind of part that most drivers never actually stopped to think about or are even aware of in many cases. The camshaft position sensor monitors the position of the camshaft, as the name suggests, and sends that data to the powertrain control module in your vehicle. Along with various other components like a camshaft position sensor, it helps keep your engine in peak operating condition at all times.
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What Is The P0341 Code Means?
P0341 is an OBD-II generic code that says the engine control module (ECM) detected the engine camshaft position sensor circuit is not within specifications. The sensor pulses do not correlate to the pulses of the camshaft sensor.
What Causes The P0341 Code?
- The camshaft sensor pulses fewer times than expected in a specified amount of engine revolutions when compared to the camshaft sensor.
- The wiring or connection to the speed sensor is getting shorted or losing connection intermittently.
What Are the Symptoms of a Bad Camshaft Position Sensor?
These are the signs you can be on the lookout for to let you know that something is wrong with the camshaft sensor so you can get it looked at before things get too bad.
1. Check Engine Light
The most common indicator that the camshaft position sensor is failing is a lit check engine light.
OBD II generic code systems efficiently monitor vehicle hardware and software and can detect part failure that causes invisible performance changes before a part completely fails. Although you can connect to the ECM using a scan tool to try and diagnose the problem. It is best to take it to the pros when the Check Engine light illuminates. Ignoring the Check Engine light can lead to expensive engine or transmission repairs.
2. Poor Drivability
A failing camshaft position sensor begins losing its ability to quickly transfer data. Mismatched fuel delivery and ignition timing, even if off by a few milliseconds, will cause your vehicle to sputter. Also accelerate poorly, lack power, stall or even shut off.
3. Transmission Shifting Problems
Data received by the ECM from a failing camshaft position sensor can keep transmission shift solenoids from operating and gears from shifting. This call as a limp home mode on some models, it helps protect the engine from damage by restricting engine speed.
4. Bad Fuel Economy
Inaccurate camshaft position sensor data can keep fuel injectors open too long. Forcing excess fuel into the combustion chamber. This also can cause engine knocking and serious damage if too much liquid gasoline builds up in the combustion chamber.
Why The Engine Will Not Start?
In case you ignore the symptoms listed here and your camshaft position sensor fails, your vehicle will not start. As a camshaft position sensor weakens, so does the data it transmits to the ECM. Eventually, the data signal becomes so weak the ECM switches off fuel and spark delivery, and your engine will not start.
This is only a frustrating inconvenience if it happens while your car is in the park. It can be a dangerous situation if your car shuts off while you are driving.
When your vehicle does not run like it used to, or the check engine light is on, the camshaft position sensor may need to be replaced. Eventually, your engine will stop running if you disregard these symptoms.
How Does A Mechanic Diagnose The P0341 Code?
- Scans codes and documents the freeze frame data to verify the problem.
- Clears the engine, ETC codes, and road test to verify concern comes back.
- Visually checks the wiring and connections to the camshaft sensor for loose connections or damaged wiring.
- Disconnects and checks the resistance and signal voltage from the camshaft sensor.
- Checks for any corrosion in the sensor connections.
- Checks the sensor wheel for breakage or damage on the camshaft or camshaft gear.
Can I Drive My Vehicle With A P0341 Code?
Trouble code P0341 should be diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible. Not recommended to drive with the P0341 code. However, you may drive your vehicle while trouble code P0341 is present unless the engine stall. Stumbling is severe enough to hinder proper vehicle operation. Erratic engine speed may be noticed.
Camshaft Position Repair Costs
Fortunately, if your camshaft position sensor has gone wrong, getting it repaired is not going to cost you an arm and a leg usually. If you go to a mechanic to get it fixed, it will probably cost you between about 100$ and 200$ to get the job done. However, if you are in the market to do it yourself you can probably pick up a new camshaft position sensor for as little as 20$ or 30$. This will definitely depend on the make, model, and year of your vehicle though but it’s safe to say that it’s a relatively cheap item to get.
Since the big price difference is obviously related to labor. You could replace the camshaft position sensor yourself and save quite a bit of money if you want to. It is not particularly hard to find the camshaft position sensor in your vehicle’s engine and replacing it yourself will definitely save you some money.
Conclusion
The majority of drivers on the road today have no idea what a camshaft position sensor is, what it does, or where they may look for under the hood of their car. As we have seen it does a pretty important job and without it, your car can suffer a lot of undue damage and will perform much more poorly than you want it to until you get it to fix.
Since it’s such an easy part to repair, it doesn’t cost that much if you get it on your own. It makes sense to get this sensor repair as quickly as you can when you realize that you have a problem with it. It needs to replace. The longer you put it off, the worse your engine is going to perform. And the more you are going to end up paying in repairs and fuel bills in the long run.
If you’re noticing several of these symptoms happening in your vehicle then there is a good chance your camshaft position sensor is responsible for it. It is in your best interest to get it to fix as soon as possible.
