OBD codes / P0345
P0345
SeriousCamshaft Position Sensor A Circuit (Bank 2)
Treat P0345 with some urgency — it often causes hard starting or stalling and can progress to a no-start. Driving carefully to a shop is usually fine, but don't ignore it, and if a timing problem is involved, continued driving risks engine damage.
What this code means
P0345 is the Bank 2 version of P0340: the camshaft position signal on the cylinder-2 side is missing or erratic. The cam sensor works with the crank sensor to time fuel injection and spark, so a fault can cause hard starting, stalling, or a no-start. Usually it's a failed sensor or a wiring/connector problem, but it can also reflect a real timing issue (a jumped or stretched chain/belt) on that bank, which is worth confirming.
Symptoms you might notice
- Hard starting or extended cranking
- Stalling or rough running
- Hesitation and reduced power
- Occasional no-start
- Check-engine light
What it costs to fix
Typical range: $120–$500 · about ~0.3–2.5 hrs of labor
| If the cause is… | Part | Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Camshaft position sensor | $30–$200 | ~0.3–2 hrs |
| Wiring / connector repair | $10–$120 | ~0.5–1.5 hrs |
The sensor is usually a low-hundreds job; labor depends on access. A genuine timing chain/belt problem is a major repair that varies far too much to quote — get it diagnosed if the sensor and wiring check out.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0345 for my exact vehicle →
How to fix P0345
Moderate — doable at home with common tools and patience
- Identify bank 2 on your engine
Bank 2 is the cylinder bank that does not contain cylinder 1 — on many transverse V6s that's the rear bank near the firewall. Confirm which side is bank 2 for your specific engine before you buy or remove anything, because the two cam sensors look identical.
- Inspect the bank 2 sensor's connector and wiring
Unplug the bank 2 cam sensor and check for oil intrusion, corrosion, and chafed wires along the harness run. Rear-bank wiring lives in a hotter, tighter space and fails more often than its bank 1 twin.
- Swap the cam sensors between banks
On many V engines the bank 1 and bank 2 cam sensors are the same part number — swap them, clear the code, and drive. If the code moves to P0340 (bank 1), you've proven the sensor is bad; if P0345 stays, the fault is in the bank 2 wiring or the cam timing itself.
- Replace the bank 2 camshaft position sensor
Fit the new sensor with a lightly oiled O-ring and snug the bolt to spec. Access is the only hard part — on some engines you'll be working blind behind the intake with a swivel and extension.
- Have bank 2 cam timing verified if the code persists
A surviving P0345 after a good sensor and clean wiring suggests the timing chain or belt on that bank has stretched or jumped. That's a shop diagnosis, and worth doing promptly — timing faults get more expensive the longer they run.
DIY or shop? The connector check and the bank-to-bank sensor swap are the high-value DIY moves here, and they usually settle the diagnosis without buying anything. Physical access is the wildcard: a rear-bank sensor jammed against the firewall can turn a one-bolt job into knuckle surgery, and any hint of an actual timing problem belongs at a shop.
Tools for the DIY steps: OBD-II scanner · Socket set with swivel and extensions · Clean engine oil (for the O-ring) · Inspection mirror or borescope (helpful for rear-bank access) · Electrical contact cleaner
Not sure which step applies to your car? Get the likely cause for your exact vehicle before buying anything for P0345.
P0345 on specific vehicles
The likely causes shift by model. We’ve written up the patterns we see most:
Frequently asked
Can I drive with P0345?
Short trips to get it diagnosed are usually okay, but it can cause stalling or a no-start, so don't rely on the car for important journeys. If the cause is timing-related, stop driving and have it checked.
Is P0345 the same as P0340?
Same fault, opposite bank: P0340 is the cam sensor circuit on Bank 1, P0345 is the same on Bank 2 (the cylinder-2 side). Diagnosis and repair are identical.
Will P0345 cause a no-start?
It can. Many engines start on the crank sensor alone, but a missing cam signal often causes hard starting, long cranking, or stalling — and on some engines, a no-start.
How much does it cost to fix P0345?
The sensor is typically a low-hundreds repair depending on access. A timing chain/belt repair is a major job and much more expensive, which is why diagnosis matters before buying parts.
Seeing P0345 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0345 for my vehicleRelated trouble codes
Don’t have a scanner yet? A ~$25 Bluetooth adapter reads codes like P0345 from your phone — see our honest guide to the best OBD2 Bluetooth adapters.
Generic OBD-II reference. Manufacturer-specific behavior varies — confirm with a scan tool and, for safety-related codes, a professional inspection.