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.
DTC/P0342·Audi
P0342 on Audi: Causes, Symptoms and Fix Cost
Quick Answer
Moderate SeverityNot safe to driveAudi
P0342 on a Audi 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.
Repair cost on Audi€75 - €688
What does P0342 mean on a Audi?
Audi A4
2008-2024B8 A4 with the 2.0 TFSI commonly sets P0342 alongside P0011/P0012 when the cam adjuster oil control valve fails. The cam sensor itself reads correctly but the cam is not where the sensor signal says it should be at startup, leading to a low-input fault during the initial sync window.
What causes P0342 on a Audi?
Beyond the generic causes listed on the main P0342 page, these are the Audi-specific patterns we see most often:
Audi A4Cam adjuster oil control valve failure on 2.0 TFSI
Audi A4Cam sensor harness chafing against the engine cover
How to diagnose P0342 on a Audi with OBD2
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 on a Audi? (EUR)
Estimated repair costs on a Audi (Audi parts and labour typically run 25% above the average for this code).
Prices estimated as of May 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
Related codes that often appear with P0342 on Audi
These codes commonly cluster with P0342 on Audi vehicles:
FAQ: P0342 on Audi
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.
Looking for the full P0342 reference (all makes, full diagnosis flow, complete repair cost matrix)?
See the main P0342 guideSkanyx · Audi
Diagnosing P0342 on your Audi?
Connect any Bluetooth OBD2 adapter, scan for codes, and get AI-powered diagnostics with severity ratings and repair cost estimates.
Download Skanyx