What P0345 means
P0345 is the bank 2 counterpart of P0340: the intake camshaft sensor on the side without cylinder 1 – only on V and boxer engines with one cam sensor per bank – delivers no or too few pulses while the crankshaft turns in sync.
How the engine computer detects it
GM uses the same criteria as for P0340, e.g. on the 3.0 twin-turbo V6 (LGW): 5.5 s or 4 s of cranking without a cam pulse, or fewer than 4 pulses in 3 s running, set after two trips. Ford checks the ratio of cam to crank events from 200 rpm, detected within 5 s. FCA lists P0345 among the cam sensor codes for which the synchronization event data should be saved before replacing the sensor. Result: cam timing on bank 2 is switched off and power drops; the cam phase usually remains available from the bank 1 sensor.
Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Longer cranking before the engine starts
- Loss of power (cam timing held in its base position)
- Rough idle, occasionally stalling
Common causes
- Camshaft position sensor bank 2 faulty Most likely
- Connector or wiring of bank 2 corroded or open Most likely
- Tone wheel or phaser of bank 2 damaged Possible
- Timing drive of bank 2 jumped Less likely
How to diagnose P0345
- Read every stored code with an OBD-II scanner. If misfire or fuel trim codes are there too, fix those first: they often cause this one.
- Inspect the parts involved: camshaft position sensor, camshaft tone wheel, sensor wiring, engine control module, timing chain.
- Work through the causes above from most to least likely, cheapest checks first.
- Clear the code and drive a full drive cycle to confirm the repair held.
Vehicles that report P0345 most
| Vehicle | Years | Reports | Share | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Maxima | 2003–2004 | 5 | 125k | |
| Nissan Murano | 2005–2007 | 3 | — |
Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P0345 (15 in total), not failure rates: popular models get more complaints simply because more of them are on the road. Models with fewer than 3 complaints are left out.
Reading the code
- P
- Powertrain
- 0
- Generic (SAE) code
- 3
- Ignition system or misfire
- 45
- Specific fault
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive with code P0345?
Drive gently and only as far as you need to. The engine computer may limit power to protect the engine, so avoid highways and heavy traffic until it's fixed. If the check engine light starts flashing, pull over.
Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0345?
Probably not in states that test vehicles with an OBD-II scan: an emissions-related code that keeps the check engine light on is usually an automatic fail. Rules differ by state and county, so check yours.
Will P0345 clear by itself?
The light can go off after several drive cycles without the fault, but the code returns if the cause is still there. After a repair, the readiness monitors need a full drive cycle before an inspection.
Can I fix P0345 myself?
Often yes, with an OBD-II scanner and basic tools. Difficulty: medium. Start with the cheapest checks before replacing expensive parts.
This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Repair costs are rough estimates for parts and labor and vary by vehicle and region.