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·Volkswagen
P0342 on Volkswagen: Causes, Symptoms and Fix Cost
Quick Answer
Moderate SeverityNot safe to driveVolkswagen
P0342 on a Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen€69 - €633
What does P0342 mean on a Volkswagen?
Volkswagen Golf
2008-2024EA888 engines in Mk6 and Mk7 Golf use a Hall-effect camshaft position sensor that fails with a low-side short after extended heat exposure. VW has a TSB recommending the updated sensor when the original is replaced, as the early version is prone to repeat failure.
What causes P0342 on a Volkswagen?
Beyond the generic causes listed on the main P0342 page, these are the Volkswagen-specific patterns we see most often:
Volkswagen GolfHall-effect cam sensor low-side short on EA888
Volkswagen GolfCam cover oil weep contaminating connector
How to diagnose P0342 on a Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen? (EUR)
Estimated repair costs on a Volkswagen (Volkswagen parts and labour typically run 15% 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 Volkswagen
These codes commonly cluster with P0342 on Volkswagen vehicles:
FAQ: P0342 on Volkswagen
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 · Volkswagen
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