Circuit Description
The camshaft position (CMP) sensor works in conjunction with a 1X reluctor wheel on the camshaft. The powertrain control module (PCM) provides a 12-volt reference circuit to the CMP sensor as well as a low reference and a signal circuit.
The CMP sensor determines whether a cylinder is on a firing stroke or on an exhaust stroke. As the camshaft rotates, the reluctor wheel interrupts a magnetic field produced by a magnet within the sensor. The sensors internal circuitry detects this and produces a signal which the PCM reads. The PCM uses this 1X signal in combination with the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor 24X signal to determine crankshaft position and stroke. This diagnostic for the CMP sensor tests for a loss of CMP sensor signal.
Observe that as long as the PCM receives the CKP sensor 24X signal, the engine will start. The PCM can determine top dead center for all cylinders by using the CKP sensor 24X signal alone. The CMP sensor 1X signal is used by the PCM to determine if the cylinder at top dead center is on the firing stroke or the exhaust stroke. The system attempts synchronization and looks for an increase in engine speed indicating the engine started. If the PCM does not detect an increase in engine speed, the PCM assumes it incorrectly synchronized to the exhaust stroke and re-syncs to the opposite cam position. A slightly longer cranking time may be a symptom of this condition.
DTC Descriptor
This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:
DTC P0342 Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | The engine speed is less than 4,000 RPM. |
| • | DTC P0342 runs continuously when the above condition is met. |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
The PCM detects the cam signal is stuck low when the signal should be high for 1.5 seconds.
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails. |
| • | The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records. |
Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
| • | The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail. |
| • | A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes. |
| • | A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic. |
| • | Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool. |
Diagnostic Aids
The following conditions may cause this DTC to set:
| • | Camshaft reluctor wheel damage |
| • | The sensor coming in contact with the reluctor wheel |
| • | Foreign material passing between the sensor and the reluctor wheel |
Using Freeze Frame/Failure Records data may aid in locating an intermittent condition. If you cannot duplicate the DTC, the information included in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data can aid in determining how many miles since the DTC set. The Fail Counter and Pass Counter can also aid determining how many ignition cycles the diagnostic reported a pass or a fail. Operate the vehicle within the same Freeze Frame conditions such as RPM, load, vehicle speed, temperature, etc. that you observed. This will isolate when the DTC failed.
The CMP sensor output can be tested. The sensor must be supplied with a power and a ground. The engine must be cranking to perform this test. You can measure the duty cycle at the signal circuit of the sensor. The duty cycle should be between 45-55 percent for a good sensor. An internally shorted CAM sensor can pull the 12-volt reference circuit low, causing DTC P0335 to set.
If the condition is intermittent, refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections .
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
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This step verifies that the fault is present. A hard start is observed when a malfunction is present.
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This step tests the CMP sensor 12-volt reference circuit from the PCM to the CMP.
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This step tests the CMP sensor low reference circuit from the PCM to the CMP.
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This step tests the CMP sensor signal circuit. Applying a voltage causes the CAM signal input high-to-low and low-to-high parameter to increase if the circuit and the PCM are operating properly.
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This step tests the resistance of the CMP sensor 12-volt reference circuit from the PCM to the CMP sensor.
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This step tests the resistance of the CMP sensor low reference circuit from the PCM to the CMP sensor.
Step | Action | Values | Yes | No | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics Connector End View Reference: Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views or Engine Controls Connector End Views | ||||||||
1 | Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle? | -- | Go to Step 2 | |||||
Does the scan tool parameter increment? | -- | Go to Step 3 | Go to Step 4 | |||||
3 |
Does the DTC reset? | -- | Go to Step 4 | Go to Diagnostic Aids | ||||
Does the voltage measure near the specified value? | B+ | Go to Step 5 | Go to Step 7 | |||||
Measure the voltage from the CMP sensor 12-volt reference circuit to the CMP sensor low reference circuit using the DMM. Does the voltage measure near the specified voltage? | B+ | Go to Step 6 | Go to Step 9 | |||||
Does the CAM signal input high-to-low and low-to-high transition counters increment when the test lamp contacts the signal circuit? | -- | Go to Step 15 | Go to Step 10 | |||||
Does the resistance measure within the specified range? | 0-5 ohms | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 12 | |||||
8 | Inspect the CMP 12-volt reference circuit for the following conditions:
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 19 | Go to Step 16 | ||||
Does the resistance measure within the specified range? | 0-5 ohms | Go to Step 16 | Go to Step 13 | |||||
10 |
Does the resistance measure within the specified range? | 0-5 ohms | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 14 | ||||
11 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 19 | Go to Step 16 | ||||
12 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 19 | Go to Step 16 | ||||
13 | Repair the CMP low reference circuit for an open. Refer to Wiring Repairs . Did you complete the repair? | -- | Go to Step 19 | -- | ||||
14 | Repair the CMP signal circuit for an open. Refer to Wiring Repairs . Did you complete the repair? | -- | Go to Step 19 | -- | ||||
15 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 19 | Go to Step 17 | ||||
16 |
Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 19 | Go to Step 18 | ||||
17 | Replace the CMP sensor. Refer to Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | -- | Go to Step 19 | -- | ||||
18 | Replace the PCM. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming. Did you complete the replacement? | -- | Go to Step 19 | -- | ||||
19 |
Did the DTC fail this ignition? | -- | Go to Step 2 | Go to Step 20 | ||||
20 | Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool. Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed? | -- | System OK | |||||
