Intermittent open or short in the sensor's power supply, ground or signal circuit, such as chafed or broken wiring. Loose, corroded or burnt connector terminals at the camshaft or crankshaft position sensor. Failed camshaft position sensor. Damaged or broken camshaft tone ring (reluctor wheel), the toothed ring the sensor reads. Crankshaft position sensor producing intermittent signals (OBD-Codes.com calls this occasional). Faulty engine computer (PCM) (listed by RepairPal).

Clean and repair corroded or loose connector terminals. Repair chafed, broken or shorted wiring in the sensor circuits. Apply a PCM software update if a TSB covers your vehicle. Replace the camshaft position sensor if testing shows it has failed (RepairPal lists this as the common repair), or the crankshaft position sensor if testing points there. Repair a damaged tone ring if inspection finds one. Have the PCM tested or replaced only after the sensor and wiring check out.

P0349🔧 Engine management / camshaft position sensorStop and fix promptly

P0349: Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent, Bank 2 (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Q: Can I keep driving with P0349?

Stop and fix promptly. Get this diagnosed promptly. RepairPal rates P0349 'Urgent' and says the engine may not start. OBD-Codes.com describes intermittent bucking or surging and an engine that dies out but restarts right away. A stall in traffic is a real risk, so avoid relying on the car on the highway until it's checked.

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

What P0349 means

The camshaft position sensor (CMP) reports the 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 adds that the PCM uses it to confirm the crankshaft sensor signal is timed to cylinder 1 and to synchronize the start of fuel injection. OBD-Codes.com defines P0349 as a generic code, 'Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent (Bank 2)', and describes it as an electrical circuit fault where the cam sensor signal goes missing at times when it shouldn't. It's intermittent, so it isn't there all the time. Bank 2 is the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder 1. OBD-Codes.com says the code seems more common on Dodge, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Jeep, BMW and Acura vehicles, and that P0340 or P0341 may be stored at the same time; the difference between the three is how long the problem lasts and the type of electrical fault. Note where the sources differ: RepairPal's definition ('Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Intermittent') doesn't mention a bank, and the OBD-Codes.com article body refers to the sensor 'from Bank 1' even though its title and definition say bank 2, so confirm which sensor your vehicle means in its service information. OBD-Codes.com says the engine intermittently dies out but restarts right away, while RepairPal says the engine may not start. The cause lists also differ: OBD-Codes.com focuses on intermittent opens and shorts in the sensor's power, ground and signal circuits, plus tone ring damage and occasionally the crankshaft sensor, while RepairPal lists a broken tone ring, the cam sensor, the PCM and wiring. The bank 1 version of this code is P0344.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Stop and fix promptly

Get this diagnosed promptly. RepairPal rates P0349 'Urgent' and says the engine may not start. OBD-Codes.com describes intermittent bucking or surging and an engine that dies out but restarts right away. A stall in traffic is a real risk, so avoid relying on the car on the highway until it's checked.

Common symptoms

Check engine light on
Intermittent bucking or surging (listed by OBD-Codes.com)
Engine intermittently dies out; OBD-Codes.com says it restarts right away
Engine may not start (listed by RepairPal)
Decreased engine performance (listed by RepairPal)
Worse fuel economy (listed by RepairPal)

Likely causes

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

Intermittent open or short in the sensor's power supply, ground or signal circuit, such as chafed or broken wiring
Loose, corroded or burnt connector terminals at the camshaft or crankshaft position sensor
Failed camshaft position sensor
Damaged or broken camshaft tone ring (reluctor wheel), the toothed ring the sensor reads
Crankshaft position sensor producing intermittent signals (OBD-Codes.com calls this occasional)
Faulty engine computer (PCM) (listed by RepairPal)

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 P0340, P0341 or crankshaft position codes are also stored, note them, since they change where to look.
Search for technical service bulletins (TSBs) for your vehicle first. OBD-Codes.com notes the manufacturer may have a PCM reprogram for this issue.
Locate both the camshaft and crankshaft position sensors (your repair manual shows where) and inspect the connectors and wiring for chafing, rubbing, bare wires, burn spots or melted plastic.
Unplug the connectors and look for corroded, burnt or green terminals. Clean them with electrical contact cleaner, let them dry, apply dielectric grease, then clear the code and see if it returns.
If it comes back, figure out the sensor type: OBD-Codes.com says 3 wires means a Hall effect sensor and 2 wires means a magnetic pickup. On a Hall effect sensor, check the 5 volt supply and signal circuits with a multimeter, then check the ground with a test light while wiggling the harness; a flicker points to an intermittent connection.
On a 2-wire magnetic pickup sensor, compare its resistance and its AC voltage output while cranking to your vehicle's specs, and check that it isn't shorted to ground. Use your vehicle's specs, not a generic number.

Typical fixes

Clean and repair corroded or loose connector terminals
Repair chafed, broken or shorted wiring in the sensor circuits
Apply a PCM software update if a TSB covers your vehicle
Replace the camshaft position sensor if testing shows it has failed (RepairPal lists this as the common repair), or the crankshaft position sensor if testing points there
Repair a damaged tone ring if inspection finds one
Have the PCM tested or replaced only after the sensor and wiring check out

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 stalls or won't restart
The connectors and wiring look fine and the code keeps coming back
Other camshaft or crankshaft position codes are also stored
A damaged tone ring or a PCM fault is suspected

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 P0349?

It's not a good idea to put it off. RepairPal rates P0349 'Urgent' and says the engine may not start. OBD-Codes.com says the engine can buck, surge or die out, even if it restarts right away.

Why does P0349 come and go?

Intermittent means the cam sensor signal drops out only some of the time. OBD-Codes.com points to intermittent opens or shorts in the wiring and connectors, so a loose or corroded connection is a common suspect.

Will a new camshaft sensor fix P0349?

Sometimes, since RepairPal lists sensor replacement as the common repair, but both sources also list wiring problems and a damaged tone ring, and RepairPal adds a faulty PCM. Check the connectors and wiring before buying parts.

What's the difference between P0344 and P0349?

Both mean an intermittent camshaft position sensor A circuit fault. Per OBD-Codes.com's numbering, P0344 is bank 1 (the side with cylinder 1) and P0349 is bank 2. RepairPal's definition doesn't mention the bank, so check your vehicle's service information to confirm which sensor it means.

Sources

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