P0341 means the intake camshaft sensor of bank 1 (or the only cam sensor) delivers pulses, but their number or pattern does not fit the crankshaft. GM counts the pulses while the crank is in sync: 4 to 6 in the first 12 reference events and 398 to 402 per 100 engine cycles on the 4X wheel of the cam phaser; outside that in 8 of 10 checks the code is set after two trips. Ford's 2023 diesel compares the detected segment profile of the cam wheel with the expected one (1.2 s); the Saab 9-4X V6 checks pulses per crank revolution and correlation with crank position. Ford petrol engines use P0344 instead. Result: cam phase uncertain, cam timing switched off, possibly hard starting. GM names corroded connectors at the timing cover as a sporadic cause (PIP5335C).
High severity. Can I keep driving?Drive as little as possible until the timing has been ruled out: a belt or chain out of time can make the valves and pistons collide. If you hear chain noise or the engine clearly loses power, shut it off and call a tow truck.
Bank 1 is the side of the engine with cylinder 1. Inline engines only have this bank.
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Longer cranking before the engine starts
- Loss of power (cam timing held in its base position)
- Rough idle, occasionally stalling
Most likely causes
- Sensor with interference pulses or weak signal, air gap
- Tone wheel on the phaser damaged or wrongly fitted
- Connector or wiring fault (corrosion, interference)
- Crankshaft signal disturbed (wrong reference)
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: medium
- It can trigger limp mode.
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P0341 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 3: Ignition and misfires
- 41: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0341?
Drive as little as possible until the timing has been ruled out: a belt or chain out of time can make the valves and pistons collide. If you hear chain noise or the engine clearly loses power, shut it off and call a tow truck.
What causes code P0341?
The most common causes are: sensor with interference pulses or weak signal, air gap; tone wheel on the phaser damaged or wrongly fitted; connector or wiring fault (corrosion, interference).
Related codes
- P0340Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Bank 1 or Single Sensor
- P0344Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent Bank 1 or Single Sensor
- P0346Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance Bank 2
- P0016Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)
- P0366Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Range/Performance Bank 1
Sources
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 18OBDG03A Engine Diagnostics
- fordservicecontent.com: obd summary diesel 2023
- saabwisonline.com: dtc p0341 p0342 p0343 p0346 p0347 p0348 p0366 p036
- static.nhtsa.gov: MC 10162143 9999
Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.