Loose, corroded or contaminated connector at the bank 2 camshaft position sensor; Chafed, stretched or broken wiring to the sensor, often from engine heat or vibration; Failing camshaft position sensor with an intermittent internal fault; Oil contamination or metal debris on the sensor tip or in the sensor connector; Damaged or loose reluctor wheel or trigger wheel, or incorrect air gap; Camshaft timing out of correct position due to a stretched chain or jumped belt; Fault within the engine control unit or its supply and earth connections.

P0349

Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent Bank 2.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
Medium severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
0: Defined bySAE, the same on every car
3: AreaIgnition system or misfire
49: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P0349 is the generic code for an intermittent fault in the camshaft position sensor 'A' circuit on bank 2, the side of a V or flat engine that does not contain cylinder 1. The engine control unit saw the sensor signal drop out, become erratic or disagree with the crankshaft position signal, but not constantly. Because the fault comes and goes, the car may run normally between events.

Symptoms

Engine cranks but intermittently starts late or not at all
Occasional stalling or cutting out, often when warm or over bumps
Rough running or hesitation under acceleration
Malfunction indicator lamp on, possibly flashing if misfire occurs
Reduced power or the car entering limp mode
Poor fuel economy

Possible causes

Loose, corroded or contaminated connector at the bank 2 camshaft position sensorlikely
Chafed, stretched or broken wiring to the sensor, often from engine heat or vibrationlikely
Failing camshaft position sensor with an intermittent internal faultlikely
Oil contamination or metal debris on the sensor tip or in the sensor connectorpossible
Damaged or loose reluctor wheel or trigger wheel, or incorrect air gappossible
Camshaft timing out of correct position due to a stretched chain or jumped beltpossible
Fault within the engine control unit or its supply and earth connectionsrare

How to diagnose

Read all stored and pending codes and review freeze frame data for engine speed, temperature and load when the fault set, noting any related crankshaft or timing codes
Check the manufacturer's information to confirm which sensor is bank 2 and sensor A on this engine, as layout varies by model
Visually inspect the sensor, its connector and the wiring loom for damage, oil ingress, corrosion, chafing or heat damage
Wiggle test the connector and harness with the engine running while watching live data for engine speed or cam signal dropouts
Check the sensor supply, earth and signal wires for continuity, short circuits and resistance against the wiring diagram
Remove the sensor and inspect the tip for debris, damage or excessive oil, and check the mounting and air gap
Inspect the trigger wheel for damage, and check cam and crank correlation or timing using the manufacturer's procedure
Check battery condition and charging voltage, as low voltage can cause signal dropouts

How to fix

Clean, repair or replace the corroded or loose connector terminals
Repair or replace the damaged section of wiring, securing it clear of heat and moving parts
Replace the bank 2 camshaft position sensor if it fails testing, using the correct specification for the engine
Clean oil or debris from the sensor area and fix any oil leak that is contaminating it
Replace a damaged trigger wheel or correct the timing fault, following the manufacturer's procedure
Clear the code after repair and road test to confirm it does not return

Can I keep driving?

Medium severity

It may be driven carefully for a short time, but there is a risk of stalling, which is unsafe in traffic, and a timing fault could cause engine damage. Get it diagnosed soon, and stop driving if it stalls repeatedly, runs very roughly or the warning lamp flashes.

Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.