GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The camshaft position (CMP) sensor is a hall-effect type sensor. The sensor produces one signal for each revolution of the camshaft in order to control the sequential fuel injection. The CMP sensor is designed to detect changes in a magnetic field. The powertrain control module (PCM) supplies the CMP sensor with the following circuits:

    • A 12-volt reference circuit
    • A low reference circuit
    • A signal circuit

The CMP sensor produces a magnetic field whenever the ignition is ON. The CMP sensor is mounted near a reluctor wheel that is attached to the distributor shaft. When the distributor shaft rotates, and the reluctor wheel tooth passes by the CMP sensor, there is a change in the magnetic field. The CMP sensor converts each change in the magnetic field into a PULSE. If the PCM does not detect the CMP signal while the engine is running, DTC P0341 will set.

Conditions for Running the DTC

The engine is running.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The CMP sensor reference pulse is not detected once every 2 crankshaft revolutions.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • 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

    • The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

    • If the condition is intermittent, refer to Intermittent Conditions .
    • Electromagnetic interference (EMI) from the ignition coil or from the spark plug wires could cause a faulty signal condition in the CMP signal circuit to the PCM. Ensure that the routing of the CMP circuitry is correct.

Test Description

The number below refers to the step number on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step tests the CMP sensor signal circuit. Applying a voltage causes the CMP sensor high to low and low to high parameter to increase if the circuit and the PCM are operating properly.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

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

  1. Connect a scan tool.
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Observe the CMP sensor high to low and low to high transition parameter with a scan tool.

Does the CMP sensor high to low and low to high parameter increment?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

  1. Observe the Freeze Frame/Failure Records for this DTC.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. 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 4

Go to Diagnostic Aids

4

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the camshaft position (CMP) sensor.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Measure the voltage from the CMP sensor 12-volt reference circuit and a good ground with the DMM. Refer to Circuit Testing in Wiring Repairs.
  5. Compare the measured voltage with the system voltage.

Is the difference in the voltage more than the specified value?

0.5 V

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 8

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Jumper the CMP circuits from the CMP sensor to the CMP sensor harness connector. Refer to Using Connector Test Adapters in Wiring Systems.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Measure the voltage drop from the low reference circuit of the CMP sensor to a good ground with a DMM. Refer to Circuit Testing in Wiring Systems.

Is the voltage more than the specified value?

0.20 V

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the CMP sensor.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Observe the CMP sensor high to low and low to high transition parameters with a scan tool.
  5. Momentarily and repeatedly probe the signal circuit of the CMP sensor with a test lamp that is connected to battery voltage.

Does the CMP sensor high to low and low to high transition counters increment when the test lamp contacts the signal circuit?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 7

7

Did the test lamp illuminate when the signal circuit was touched?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 11

8

Test the 12-volt reference circuit for an open or for high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 13

9

Test the low reference circuit for an open or for high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 13

10

Test the CMP sensor signal circuit for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 13

11

Test the CMP sensor signal circuit for an open or for a short to voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 13

12

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the 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 16

Go to Step 14

13

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the PCM. 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 16

Go to Step 15

14

Replace the CMP sensor. Refer to Camshaft Position Sensor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 16

--

15

Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 16

--

16

  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. 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 17

17

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