P0345 on a Ford Explorer
P0345 means camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit (Bank 2). On the Explorer, a few causes come up far more than others.
What P0345 usually means on a Explorer
P0345 is the bank-2 camshaft position sensor circuit fault, pointing at the second cylinder bank's sensor, wiring, or cam timing. On the 4.0L SOHC Explorer, the same rear-mounted timing chain wear that causes P0340 can affect the bank-2 signal, so a cold-start rattle often accompanies it. On the 3.5L engines it usually means the bank-2 sensor or its connector. Seeing P0345 without a bank-1 code helps narrow the work to one side.
Most common causes on the Explorer
- Bank-2 timing chain/guide wear (4.0L SOHC)
The 4.0 SOHC's worn guides and tensioners can skew the bank-2 cam signal just as they do bank 1, with the tell-tale rear rattle at start-up.
- Failed bank-2 cam position sensor
The individual sensor can fail, and a P0345 with no bank-1 code is a good reason to test and replace just that side's sensor first.
- Oil-fouled bank-2 connector
A leaking seal contaminates the bank-2 sensor plug and corrodes the pins, dropping the signal on that bank only.
- Wiring fault on the bank-2 circuit
Chafed or broken wiring to the bank-2 sensor interrupts the signal and sets the code without a failed sensor.
What P0345 costs to fix on a Explorer
Because P0345 is bank-specific, a sensor or connector repair on that side is cheap. The expensive path is again the 4.0L SOHC timing chain job, whose rear-of-engine access makes it a major, four-figure repair. Confirm whether the rattle and timing slip are present before committing to chain work.
Fixing it
Determine whether only bank 2 or both banks are flagged, then focus on that side. On a 4.0L SOHC with a start-up rattle, plan for timing chain work; on a 3.5L, start with the sensor and connector.
For the full step-by-step diagnosis order (any vehicle), see the main P0345 guide.
Year, engine and mileage change the answer. Start a case and Redline weighs these causes against what your car shows, then names the check that would settle it.
Other codes on the Ford Explorer
Ford Explorer problems & recalls by year
Based on widely reported patterns for this model; individual causes vary by year, engine and history. Generic P0345 behavior is covered on the main P0345 page. Confirm with a scan tool before buying parts.
P0345 on your Explorer?
Every problem becomes a Case. Tell Redline what your Explorer is doing: it shows what the evidence supports, what’s still missing, and what to check next, before you approve a repair.
“Inner pad ~1 mm. Outer pad 3 mm.”
Next: check the slide pins move freely before buying parts.