P0342

Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Low Bank 1 or Single Sensor

Ignition / engine timing Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0342 means the ECM sees a lower-than-expected voltage from the bank 1 camshaft position sensor. That sensor tells the computer where the camshaft is so it can time fuel and spark, so a fault here can cause hard starting, stalling, or an intermittent no-start. It is usually the sensor, its wiring, or the connector.

High

Can I keep driving? Risky — a cam-position fault can cause hard starting, stalling, or a no-start; drive minimally and be prepared for it to quit.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

474

scans in the past year

Found in

0.1%

of scans

0.1%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0342 scans

P0340in 24.1% of scans

P0118in 17.1% of scans

P0122in 12.2% of scans

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Hard starting or intermittent no-start
Stalling or rough running
Hesitation and reduced power

Common causes

Most likely first

Failed camshaft position sensor A (bank 1)Likely
Signal wire shorted to ground or open in the circuitCommon
Loose or corroded connector at the sensorCommon
Damaged reluctor/tone ring on the camshaftLess often
ECM fault (rare — verify wiring and sensor first)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Scan and read freeze-frame data to confirm the fault is the bank 1 cam sensor A circuit.
Inspect the sensor connector and wiring for a short to ground, oil contamination, or corrosion.
Back-probe the sensor for supply, ground, and a clean signal while cranking.
Check the sensor air gap and the camshaft reluctor ring for damage or metal debris.
Replace the cam position sensor if it fails testing with good wiring. Clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0342?+

Not really — the engine may stall or fail to restart without warning. Get it diagnosed before relying on the vehicle.

Can I just clear P0342?+

It returns quickly, and clearing it won't fix hard-start or stalling behaviour. The circuit fault has to be repaired.

Read & clear P0342 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX