Camshaft Position Sensor: Description and Operation

Camshaft And Crankshaft Position Sensors:

DESCRIPTION
The camshaft position sensor is located on the timing cover behind the water pump near the camshaft sprocket.

As the camshaft sprocket turns, a magnet in it activates the Hall-effect switch in the camshaft position sensor. When the Hall-effect switch is activated, it grounds the signal line to the PCM, pulling the cam signal line's applied voltage low. This is interpreted as a cam signal. The cam signal is created as piston #1 is approximately 25 degrees after top dead center on the power stroke.

When the cam signal is not received by the PCM DTC P0342 will be set.