P0341 — Camshaft sensor A, bank 1/single sensor: range/performance

P0341 indicates an implausible/out-of-range camshaft position sensor A signal on bank 1 or the single bank: pulse behavior or timing outside the engine controller's expected conditions. The A sensor identification is engine-dependent. This code alone does not prove a slipped timing chain/belt and differs from P0340 (circuit) and P0016 (correlation).

Affected system: Powertrain

Symptoms

• Check-engine light, sometimes hard starting or extended cranking.
• Uneven running, reduced power or stalling depending on fail-safe strategy.
• Intermittent trouble when warm, under vibration or following cylinder-head-area repairs can help locate the fault.

Possible causes

• Intermittent or distorted CMP output from sensor, wiring or connector.
• Damaged/dirty/misplaced cam trigger target, improper mounting or air gap.
• CKP input, VVT control or mechanical timing issue only when engine-specific correlation testing supports it.
• Wrong replacement sensor, corroded terminals or chafed/intermittent wires.

What to check

• 1. Save P0341, freeze-frame and CKP/VVT/P0016 codes; identify starting, warm or post-repair conditions. Resolve related common-supply faults first.
• 2. Locate bank 1 CMP A from the exact engine diagram; do not assume A always means intake or inspect the opposite bank.
• 3. Inspect sensor, mounting, pins and harness for oil, corrosion, abrasion or loose contact. Heat/vibration-dependent faults suggest intermittency.
• 4. Identify sensor technology and OEM pinout before measurement. Test supply, ground and continuity; do not resistance-test an unidentified Hall device.
• 5. Capture CMP and CKP waveforms together during the failure. Missing/distorted pulses despite good supply point to sensor, wiring or trigger-target investigation.
• 6. If waveforms are clean, compare timing with a known-good trace for this exact engine. Repeatable phase error warrants OEM VVT/timing checks, not a timing-chain replacement based on P0341 alone.
• 7. Inspect mounting, air gap and target using vehicle procedures; if CKP is also implausible, assess its circuit before ordering CMP parts.
• 8. Correct the proven fault, clear codes and verify repeated starts, stable CMP/CKP signals and monitor completion. Do not keep driving if the engine unexpectedly stalls.

Also written as: P0341-00, P034100, PO341 (some scan tools add the fault-type byte, e.g. -00).