1996 Chevy Cavalier code po341

FYI, OBD-II diagnostic codes are 5 characters...one letter and 4 numbers. Your code is P0341. P = Powertrain. The leading 0 means your code is a generic OBD-II diagnostic code. Anything starting with a P1xxx means the code is a manufacturer-specific code.

OBD-II codes indicate a problem in a CIRCUIT, not necessarily a problem with a SENSOR. Yes, it could be a bad cam position sensor. It could also be a bad ground, a broken wire, a bad ECM, and so on. The point here is don't assume the sensor is bad just yet.

Keeping that in mind, unplug the wiring for the sensor and visually inspect the wiring at the connector and as far back as you can from the connector for any evidence of damage, and then turn the ignition key to run(do not start the engine) and probe the pins in the connector with a standard voltmeter to see if you have a voltage supply, one of the lines will probably give you a +5 volt, and it will probably be one of the pins on the OUTSIDE of the connector. Another will be ground, usually on the opposite side of the supply voltage, and then you'll have a signal return line as well, usually in the middle. You won't really be able to do anything with the signal return wire in terms of testing without additional tools. The best you can do right now is check the wiring, verify supply voltage and ground, and if that looks okay then buy a sensor and see if that resolves your problem. Or pay a mechanic to diagnose the problem for you and then fix it yourself.

If you decide to buy the sensor you'll usually find the best prices at

I see they list the sensor for your car(assuming you have a 2.2l engine) for about $70.

Good luck with it.

Chris

(New poster, similar problem)

I have an intermittent P0342 ("CPS low voltage"), which I've been ignoring - it seems to go away when the weather warms up.

1. If this is really just an occasional glitch, will the engine resume sequential mode if it recovers, or does it stay in bank-fire until you restart the engine?

1. Is there a downside to running in bank-fire? I haven't noticed any loss of 'performance' (so to speak), or of fuel economy.

Thanks, George

The pcm needs the cam sensor to switch into sequential mode fuel injection. The engine will run without this sensor working but it will stay in bank fire injection mode. Usually it's the sensor, but it can be a wiring problem or even the pcm itself.

atwww.rockauto.com. I see they list the sensor for your car(assuming you

Thanks for the reply.