2004 Cadillac CTS Computer throwing PO341 Code repeatedly

Tiny
MSB731
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CADILLAC CTS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 63,000 MILES
When car is first run in the morning it bucks and acts like it is going to stall or just has loss of power in short bursts. Sometimes Feels like timing is off. Brought it to mechanic. Computer gives code po341 to replace cam shaft sensor bank 1. He replaced it and the problem did not go away. So he replaced it again and the problem still did not go away. He says he used AC Delco sensor, the only company that makes that part. He thinks the computer needs to be replaced. He cannot find anything else wrong. Have you heard of this problem and can you suggest anything that might help? My mechanic is stumped.
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 AT 10:45 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
Has the wiring from the sensor to the ecm been checked for continuity, shorts, etc. If it is a hard fault, it should not be difficult to isolate. I would check all avenues before replacing an ecm. I just tabbed over and did some quick research, which size engine is this, 3.2 or 3.6? If it is a 3.6, all sensors share a common ground, and a common 5v reference, and both of these are from the ecm. They have independant signal wires that source from the ecm. All of the sensors and actuators are interchangeable. I would have all the circuits for the sensor checked, broken/shorted wires are not uncommon on these. If the problem was with the ecm, it would have to be on the 5v signal driver for intake bank one sensor, otherwise if it was a failure of the 5v ref, or ground, it would have faults for all sensors.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 AT 11:03 PM
Tiny
MSB731
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It is a 3.6 Liter. The wiring was checked and there are no breaks, kinks or burns. Seems ok.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 24th, 2009 AT 7:53 PM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
Was this done visually, or was a meter used? Also you have terminals that can have loose fit and cause problems. Is he addressing the right sensor? I am just thinking of possibilities.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 24th, 2009 AT 9:59 PM
Tiny
MSB731
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Not sure about if it is the right sensor. That is a possibility. He seems sure it is. Where is Sensor A Bank 1 located exactly?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Friday, September 25th, 2009 AT 10:53 AM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
Bank one intake cam sensor I believe is on the passenger side, and upper sensor of the two. Bank one is customarily the bank that is furthest forward. By that I mean, if you look across the front of the engine, one bank of cylinders will be further toward the front than the other due to piston staggering. It is also always the bank with #1 cylinder. Have never seen sensors fail, nor have I seen the ECM fail because of this. Is it possible, sure. You could have a mechanical issue as well. I will forward you the chart for that code, and you will see what your possibilities consist of. These charts may not list all of them though, and that is where the technician is supposed to think out of the box.

DTC P0341, P0346, P0366, or P0391
Circuit Description
Each camshaft is equipped with a camshaft position (CMP) sensor that the engine control module (ECM) monitors. The CMP sensor is a hall effect switch that works in conjunction with a 4X reluctor wheel. The reluctor wheels are mounted to the camshaft position actuators that are mounted to the end of the camshafts. The ECM uses the CMP sensor signals in order to determine the position of the camshafts.

The ECM supplies 5 volts to the CMP sensors on the 5-volt reference circuits, and supplies a ground on the low reference circuits. The CMP sensors provide a signal to the ECM on the signal circuits. If the ECM detects extra or missing CMP sensor signal transitions within a certain number of crankshaft revolutions, this DTC sets.

DTC Descriptors
This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTCs:

"Â DTC P0341 Intake Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Performance Bank 1

"Â DTC P0346 Intake Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Performance Bank 2

"Â DTC P0366 Exhaust Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Performance Bank 1

"Â DTC P0391 Exhaust Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Performance Bank 2

Conditions for Running the DTC
"Â The engine is operating for more than 1 second.

"Â DTCs P0341, P0346, P0366, and P0391 run continuously once the engine is operating for more than 1 second.

Conditions for Setting the DTC
"Â The ECM detects a signal from the CMP sensor, but the number of pulses are less than or more than what is expected for one crankshaft revolution.

OR

"Â The CMP sensor does NOT correlate to the crankshaft position.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
"Â The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.

"Â The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
"Â The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 4 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.

"Â A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.

"Â A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.

"Â Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids
"Â Use the J 35616 Connector Test Adapter Kit for any test that requires probing the ECM harness connector or a component harness connector.

"Â The lower connector of the ECM is connector C1 and the upper connector of the ECM is connector C2. Refer to Engine Controls Component Views.

"Â For an intermittent condition, refer to Intermittent Conditions.

Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

This step verifies that the condition is present.

This step inspects for electromagnetic interference (EMI) on the CMP sensor circuits.

Step
Action
Yes
No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Engine Control Module Connector End Views or Engine Controls Connector End Views

1
Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls?
Go to Step 2
Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2
Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
Start the engine.
Observe the DTC information with a scan tool.
Does DTC P0341, P0346, P0366, or P0391 fail this ignition?
Go to Step 3
Go to Step 4

3
Did DTC P0342, P0343, P0347, P0348, P0367, P0368, P0392, or P0393 also fail this ignition cycle?
Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List
Go to Step 5

4
Observe the Freeze Frame/Failure Records for this DTC.
Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
Start the engine.
Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.
Did the DTC fail this ignition?
Go to Step 5
Go to Diagnostic Aids

5
Inspect the circuit of the camshaft position (CMP) sensor for the following conditions:

"Â Routed too close to the ignition coils

"Â Routed too close to after-market add-on electrical equipment

"Â Routed too close to solenoids, relays, and motors

If you find an incorrect routing, correct the harness routing.

Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 10
Go to Step 6

6
Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the appropriate CMP sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 10
Go to Step 7

7
Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the engine control module (ECM). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs.

Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 10
Go to Step 8

8
Remove the appropriate CMP sensor.
Inspect the CMP sensor and the camshaft actuator reluctor wheel for the following conditions:
"Â Incorrect sensor installation

"Â A cracked or damaged sensor

"Â The sensor coming in contact with the reluctor wheel

"Â Excessive air gap between the reluctor wheel and the sensor

"Â Foreign material passing between the sensor and the camshaft reluctor wheel

"Â Camshaft reluctor wheel damage

Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 10
Go to Step 9

9
Replace the CMP sensor. Refer to the appropriate procedure:

"Â Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement - Bank 1 (Right Side) Intake

"Â Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement - Bank 1 (Right Side) Exhaust

"Â Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement - Bank 2 (Left Side) Intake

"Â Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement - Bank 2 (Left Side) Exhaust

Did you complete the replacement?
Go to Step 10
--

10
Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
Start the engine.
Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.
Did the DTC fail this ignition?
Go to Step 2
Go to Step 11

11
Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?
Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List
System OK
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Friday, September 25th, 2009 AT 10:24 PM
Tiny
MELINDAF
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Same code P0341 2004 CTS 3.6L. Car started running rough periodically, will shut off but will start again immediately. This is random. Just got the car back recently after having a rebuilt transmission. Thought the jerking was related to the transmission, then the car began to cut off suddenly. Took it to have the check engine code read which indicated the Camshaft position sensor. I recently received a recall for the ignition switch, but there was no indication of a problem from the code. I am hoping replacing this camshaft position sensor will resolve this issue- then the recall will also be done. Have been reading the relating questions and responses and appreciate the info. I am hoping to find someone reliable to this unless I attempt it myself. (Have had some bad luck with mechanics)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, July 29th, 2016 AT 9:33 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links