Why won't my engine start with a P0342 code?

Many ECUs use the camshaft position signal at cranking to identify which cylinder is on its compression stroke before firing the first injector. With no cam signal, the ECU has to fall back to crank-only logic, which can take much longer or fail entirely on some engines.

Can oil leaking onto the cam sensor cause P0342?

Yes. A leaking cam cover gasket or spark plug tube seal lets oil pool around the sensor connector. Oil eventually penetrates the connector and damages the contact, producing a low-signal fault. Replacing the sensor without fixing the leak just delays the repeat failure.

How is P0342 different from P0341?

P0341 means the cam signal is present but inconsistent with the crank signal, often pointing to timing chain stretch. P0342 means the signal voltage itself is below threshold, which is almost always an electrical or sensor fault rather than a mechanical timing issue.

Can a stretched timing chain set P0342?

Not directly. A stretched chain typically sets P0341 or P0016 because the cam signal is out of phase, not because its voltage is wrong. If P0342 is set, focus on the sensor, the wiring, and the connector first.

P0342: Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Low Input (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)

Quick Answer

Not safe to drive

P0342 means the ECU is reading a voltage on the camshaft position sensor signal circuit that is lower than the expected range, usually because the signal wire is shorted to ground, the sensor has failed, or the connector has lost contact. On most modern engines the camshaft signal is essential for sequential fuel injection and for VVT control; without it the engine may still run on crankshaft signal alone but with degraded performance.

Severity: Moderate · Ignition
Estimated repair cost: From €60 to €550+, varies by vehicle

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What does P0342 mean?

P0342 is a ignition-related diagnostic trouble code classified as moderate severity. When your vehicle's ECU detects this condition, it stores P0342 and illuminates the check engine light.

Where it is on the car

Crankshaft sprocket and position sensor
Timing chain or belt
Camshaft sprockets with VVT phasers
Camshaft position sensor
VVT oil control solenoid

What are the symptoms of P0342?

If your vehicle has triggered P0342, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:

Hard starting or extended cranking
Engine stalls intermittently, especially when warm
Reduced power and possible limp mode
Rough idle
Check engine light on

What causes P0342?

Here are the most common causes of P0342:

Failed camshaft position sensor (open or shorted internally)
: high
Signal wire shorted to ground
: medium
Damaged or corroded sensor connector
: medium
Oil contamination at the sensor due to a leaking cam cover or spark plug tube seal
: medium
Damaged camshaft reluctor wheel (rare)
: low

Is it safe to drive with P0342?

No - address this immediately. Without a valid camshaft position signal the ECU loses the ability to time fuel injection precisely and may go into limp mode. Hard starting and stalling are likely. Have the vehicle diagnosed before extended driving.

How do you diagnose P0342?

Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0342:

Read freeze-frame data and note whether the code is triggered at crank, idle, or during warm operation
Locate the camshaft position sensor and inspect for oil weeping around the sensor body or connector. Oil intrusion is a strong indicator of cam cover gasket failure
Unplug the sensor and measure resistance across its terminals if it is a magnetic pickup, or check the 5 V reference and ground pins for a Hall-effect sensor
Measure resistance from the signal wire to chassis ground with the sensor unplugged. A near-zero reading confirms a wiring short to ground
After replacing the sensor or repairing wiring, clear codes and verify the cam-to-crank correlation in live data

How much does P0342 cost to fix?

Repair costs for P0342 vary depending on the root cause and your vehicle. Here are typical estimates:

Repair	Parts Cost	Labor Cost	Total Estimate	DIY Difficulty
Replace camshaft position sensor	€30–€120	€40–€150	€70–€270	Moderate
Repair sensor wiring or connector	€10–€50	€50–€150	€60–€200	Moderate
Replace cam cover gasket and sensor (oil contamination)	€60–€200	€100–€350	€160–€550	Professional

Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.

Full repair guides

Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement Cost

P0342 on specific vehicles

P0342 behaves differently depending on your vehicle. Select your car below for model-specific causes and known issues:

BMW

BMW 3 Series

2006-2024

The N52 commonly sets P0342 after the intake cam sensor wiring fatigues at the back of the cam cover. Check which connector version your car has before ordering a replacement. Replacement requires removing the engine cover and intake plenum to reach the connector.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen Golf

2008-2024

EA888 engines in Mk6 and Mk7 Golf use a Hall-effect camshaft position sensor that fails with a low-side short after extended heat exposure.

P0342 on Audi

Audi A4

See Audi-specific causes & cost

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes C-Class

2007-2024

W204 with the M271 four-cylinder is well known for camshaft sensor failures. The wiring loom is integrated with the camshaft adjuster harness, and a single failed sensor often requires replacing the whole assembly.

These codes are often seen alongside P0342 or indicate related issues:

Common questions about P0342

Why won't my engine start with a P0342 code?: Many ECUs use the camshaft position signal at cranking to identify which cylinder is on its compression stroke before firing the first injector. With no cam signal, the ECU has to fall back to crank-only logic, which can take much longer or fail entirely on some engines.
Can oil leaking onto the cam sensor cause P0342?: Yes. A leaking cam cover gasket or spark plug tube seal lets oil pool around the sensor connector. Oil eventually penetrates the connector and damages the contact, producing a low-signal fault. Replacing the sensor without fixing the leak just delays the repeat failure.
How is P0342 different from P0341?: P0341 means the cam signal is present but inconsistent with the crank signal, often pointing to timing chain stretch. P0342 means the signal voltage itself is below threshold, which is almost always an electrical or sensor fault rather than a mechanical timing issue.
Can a stretched timing chain set P0342?: Not directly. A stretched chain typically sets P0341 or P0016 because the cam signal is out of phase, not because its voltage is wrong. If P0342 is set, focus on the sensor, the wiring, and the connector first.

Read our detailed guides

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