Failed camshaft position sensor. Poor wiring connection at the cam sensor. Short or open circuit in the sensor wiring. Low or bad battery (listed by OBD-Codes.com). Broken or damaged tone ring (reluctor wheel), the toothed ring the sensor reads (RepairPal lists a broken tone ring; OBD-Codes.com suggests inspecting it for missing teeth). Engine computer (PCM) failure or software, which is less likely (RepairPal lists PCM failure; OBD-Codes.com mentions a bulletin fixed by reprogramming the PCM).

Charge or replace a weak battery. Repair damaged wiring or clean and repair a corroded or loose connector. Replace the camshaft position sensor (RepairPal's most common repair for this code). Repair a damaged tone ring if inspection finds one. Have the PCM reprogrammed if a service bulletin applies to your vehicle, or diagnose and replace the PCM only after the sensor and wiring test good.

P0346🔧 Engine management / camshaft position sensorStop and fix promptly

P0346: Camshaft Position Sensor A Range/Performance, Bank 2 (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Q: What does P0346 mean?

P0346 means the engine computer sees a camshaft position signal from sensor A on bank 2 (the side of a V-type engine opposite cylinder 1), but the signal is out of its expected range or doesn't make sense. Expect a check engine light and possibly stalling, lack of power or a no-start. Causes include a failed cam sensor, wiring or connector problems, a low battery, a damaged tone ring, or less often the engine computer. The camshaft position sensor (CMP) reports the exact rotational position of the camshaft. RepairPal explains that the engine computer (PCM) uses this signal to control the fuel injectors and ignition coils. OBD-Codes.com describes how it works with the crankshaft position sensor: the crank sensor tells the PCM where the pistons are, and the cam sensor tells it the position of the intake camshaft relative to that, so the PCM can time fuel injection for each cylinder. OBD-Codes.com defines P0346 as a generic code meaning the PCM detected a problem with camshaft signal 'A' for bank 2, the bank of cylinders that does not contain cylinder 1. 'Range/Performance' means a signal is present but isn't what the PCM expects, unlike P0345, which is the general circuit code for the same sensor. Note where the sources differ: RepairPal's title for P0346 is 'Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance' and does not mention a bank, and its explanation (the PCM sets the code on an irregular signal or no signal) is the same wording it uses for the circuit code P0345. The bank 1 version of this code is P0341. Related codes are P0347 (circuit low), P0348 (circuit high) and P0349 (intermittent).

Q: Can I keep driving with P0346?

Stop and fix promptly. Get this diagnosed promptly. RepairPal rates P0346 'Urgent' and lists an engine that may not start among the symptoms. OBD-Codes.com says the car will likely still run, since the code is often intermittent and the engine computer can run the engine in limp-home mode, but it also lists stalling, lack of power and a possible no-start. If the engine stalls, loses power or is hard to start, avoid relying on the car in traffic or on the highway until it's checked.

Reviewed 2026-10-24 · Based on 2 cited source(s)

What P0346 means

The camshaft position sensor (CMP) reports the exact rotational position of the camshaft. RepairPal explains that the engine computer (PCM) uses this signal to control the fuel injectors and ignition coils. OBD-Codes.com describes how it works with the crankshaft position sensor: the crank sensor tells the PCM where the pistons are, and the cam sensor tells it the position of the intake camshaft relative to that, so the PCM can time fuel injection for each cylinder. OBD-Codes.com defines P0346 as a generic code meaning the PCM detected a problem with camshaft signal 'A' for bank 2, the bank of cylinders that does not contain cylinder 1. 'Range/Performance' means a signal is present but isn't what the PCM expects, unlike P0345, which is the general circuit code for the same sensor. Note where the sources differ: RepairPal's title for P0346 is 'Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance' and does not mention a bank, and its explanation (the PCM sets the code on an irregular signal or no signal) is the same wording it uses for the circuit code P0345. The bank 1 version of this code is P0341. Related codes are P0347 (circuit low), P0348 (circuit high) and P0349 (intermittent).

Severity: can I keep driving?

Stop and fix promptly

Get this diagnosed promptly. RepairPal rates P0346 'Urgent' and lists an engine that may not start among the symptoms. OBD-Codes.com says the car will likely still run, since the code is often intermittent and the engine computer can run the engine in limp-home mode, but it also lists stalling, lack of power and a possible no-start. If the engine stalls, loses power or is hard to start, avoid relying on the car in traffic or on the highway until it's checked.

Common symptoms

Check engine light on
Lack of power or decreased engine performance
Stalling (listed by OBD-Codes.com)
Engine may not start
Increased fuel consumption (listed by RepairPal)
Often intermittent, and sometimes no noticeable symptoms besides the light (noted by OBD-Codes.com)

Likely causes

Roughly most to least common, based on the sources below. Your vehicle may differ.

Failed camshaft position sensor
Poor wiring connection at the cam sensor
Short or open circuit in the sensor wiring
Low or bad battery (listed by OBD-Codes.com)
Broken or damaged tone ring (reluctor wheel), the toothed ring the sensor reads (RepairPal lists a broken tone ring; OBD-Codes.com suggests inspecting it for missing teeth)
Engine computer (PCM) failure or software, which is less likely (RepairPal lists PCM failure; OBD-Codes.com mentions a bulletin fixed by reprogramming the PCM)

Diagnostic steps you can do

⚠ Before you start

Work on a cool engine, parked on level ground with the parking brake set. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

Read and write down all stored codes and freeze frame data. If P0341 (bank 1), P0345 or crankshaft position codes such as P0335 are also stored, mention them, since they change where to look.
Search for technical service bulletins (TSBs) for your vehicle first, as OBD-Codes.com recommends. The maker may have a PCM reprogram for this code; OBD-Codes.com mentions one bulletin, EG010-05, whose fix is a PCM recalibration (it doesn't say which make it applies to).
Check the battery. OBD-Codes.com says a low battery can set this code.
Find the bank 2 camshaft position sensor (on the side of the engine opposite cylinder 1; your repair manual shows its exact location). Inspect the sensor and its wiring for burn marks, melting or chafing, and the connector for corrosion or bent pins.
If you can see it through the sensor opening, check the reluctor wheel for missing or damaged teeth, as OBD-Codes.com suggests. On some engines it can only be seen by removing the camshaft or intake manifold, which is a job for a shop.
Don't assume the sensor is the answer. OBD-Codes.com says replacing it often fixes the code, but not always, and RepairPal warns that just replacing a sensor may not fix the underlying issue.

Typical fixes

Charge or replace a weak battery
Repair damaged wiring or clean and repair a corroded or loose connector
Replace the camshaft position sensor (RepairPal's most common repair for this code)
Repair a damaged tone ring if inspection finds one
Have the PCM reprogrammed if a service bulletin applies to your vehicle, or diagnose and replace the PCM only after the sensor and wiring test good

Repair costs vary widely by vehicle, region, parts brand and shop, so we don't quote prices. Get a written estimate after diagnosis.

🛠 When to call a pro

The engine won't start or stalls
The battery, wiring and sensor check out and the code comes back
A service bulletin calls for a PCM reprogram
Inspecting the tone ring means removing the camshaft or intake manifold
Bank 1 (P0341), circuit (P0345) or crankshaft position codes are also stored

Where to buy

Plain search links. Always match parts to your exact year, make, model and engine.

OBD2 scanners on Amazon Parts at Advance Auto Parts catalog at RockAuto

FAQs

Can I drive with P0346?

Possibly for a short time, but get it checked soon. OBD-Codes.com says the car will likely run, often in limp-home mode, but lists stalling and a possible no-start, and RepairPal rates P0346 'Urgent'. The car might run now and not restart later.

Is P0346 always a bad camshaft sensor?

No. Replacing the sensor is RepairPal's most common repair and OBD-Codes.com says it often fixes the code, but both sources also list wiring problems. OBD-Codes.com adds a low battery and a PCM reprogram from a service bulletin, and RepairPal adds a broken tone ring and PCM failure. Check the battery and wiring before buying parts.

What's the difference between P0341 and P0346?

Both mean camshaft position sensor A's signal is out of range or doesn't make sense. P0341 is bank 1 (the side with cylinder 1) and P0346 is bank 2, per OBD-Codes.com. RepairPal's title for P0346 doesn't mention the bank, so check your vehicle's service information to confirm which sensor it means.

What's the difference between P0345 and P0346?

Both are for the bank 2 camshaft sensor A. P0345 is the general circuit code, while P0346 means the signal is present but out of the expected range or performance, per OBD-Codes.com's definitions.

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-24. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.