P0341 on 2013 Scion FR-S: Camshaft Sensor Clearance and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2013-2013 Scion FR-S

For the 2013 Scion FR-S and its twin, the Subaru BRZ, this code is uniquely tied to a manufacturing issue detailed in Technical Service Bulletins S-SB-0013-14 (Scion) and 11-130-13R (Subaru). The problem is often not a failed sensor, but that the physical clearance between the sensor and the camshaft's reluctor plate is out of specification due to irregular stamping of the plate from the factory. This mechanical fitment issue causes the electrical signal to be unreliable, making a simple sensor replacement unlikely to fix the problem without first checking and correcting the clearance with a shim.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Tap your situation to follow the diagnostic path that matches what you're seeing on this vehicle.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Check Engine Light is on
• Engine is hard to start or has an extended crank time
• Rough or unstable idle
• Engine stalling, especially at low speeds or when coming to a stop
• Hesitation or stumbling during acceleration
• Reduced engine power
• Decreased fuel economy
• Code appears specifically during or after a cold start, but may disappear once the engine is warm

Most Likely Causes

1. Camshaft position sensor clearance out of specification 🔴 High Probability → Shop Engine Camshaft Position Sensor This is a known issue for early production 2013 FR-S/BRZ models, as documented in Scion TSBs S-SB-0013-14 and S-SB-0033-13 Rev, and Subaru TSB 11-130-13R. The gap between the sensor and the camshaft was not always within the required tolerance from the factory for vehicles produced before VIN JF1ZAA1#D#721474.
   How to confirm: Follow the procedure in the TSB to measure the clearance between the sensor mounting surface and the camshaft reluctor plate using a digital caliper. The specified clearance is 1.3 ± 0.05 mm (1.25mm to 1.35mm). This may require rotating the engine by hand to get an accurate measurement away from the notches on the reluctor plate.
   Typical fix: Install the correct thickness shim between the sensor and the timing cover to bring the clearance into specification. The TSB provides a chart to select the right shim (from 0.1mm to 0.8mm) based on the measured clearance. Do not stack shims. The sensor retaining bolt should be torqued to 6.4 Nm (4.7 ft-lbs), and a new O-ring should be used.
   Est. part cost: $10-$25 for a single shim or a small kit.
2. Faulty Camshaft Position Sensor 🟡 Medium Probability → Shop Engine Camshaft Position Sensor
   How to confirm: After confirming the clearance is correct, swap the Bank 1 (passenger side) intake sensor with the Bank 2 (driver side) intake sensor. Clear the codes and drive the vehicle. If the code changes to P0346 (Camshaft Position Sensor 'A' Circuit Range/Performance Bank 2), the sensor is bad. This is a widely-accepted diagnostic step on forums.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty camshaft position sensor. Some vehicles may require a 'relearn' procedure after replacement, which can sometimes be accomplished by driving, but may require a high-end scan tool.
   Est. part cost: $60-$120
3. Wiring or Connector Issue ⚪ Low Probability
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the wiring harness and connector for the Bank 1 intake camshaft sensor for any signs of damage, corrosion, oil contamination, or loose pins. Use a multimeter to check for ~5V power, proper ground, and signal integrity at the connector with the ignition on.
   Typical fix: Repair or replace the damaged section of wiring or the connector pigtail.
   Est. part cost: $15-$50

Rare But Worth Checking

• Failing VVT Cam Sprocket: In some cases, particularly if the code appears only during cold starts and other causes are ruled out, the variable valve timing (VVT) intake sprocket itself can be faulty. A forum user on FT86Club with a 2013 GT86 resolved a persistent P0341 that only occurred on cold starts by replacing the intake VVT sprocket after trying a new sensor and OCV.
• Stretched Timing Chain or Timing Issue: → Shop Engine Timing Chain While less common than the sensor clearance issue, a stretched timing chain or a chain that has jumped a tooth can cause the camshaft and crankshaft signals to become desynchronized, triggering a P0341 code. This is usually accompanied by other timing-related codes and potentially more severe running issues.
• Issues related to Valve Spring Recall Service: Many 2013 models were subject to a major valve spring recall (NHTSA Recall 18V-727). Improper reassembly after this service could potentially lead to timing issues. One owner on FT86Club reported their P0341 issue began after a dealership broke a timing chain tensioner during the recall repair, which required extensive follow-up work on the timing components.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read the trouble codes with an OBD-II scanner and confirm P0341 is present. Note any other codes, especially misfire or other cam sensor codes.
2. Check your vehicle's VIN to see if it was produced before JF1ZAA1#D#721474, as these are the vehicles covered by the TSB for the clearance issue.
3. Check the status of the engine valve spring recall (NHTSA 18V-727) for your VIN, as symptoms can overlap.
4. Locate the Bank 1 (passenger side) intake camshaft position sensor. It is the upper sensor on the front of the engine on the passenger side.
5. Inspect the sensor's wiring and connector for any visible damage, corrosion, or looseness.
6. Following the procedure in TSB S-SB-0013-14, carefully remove the sensor (one 10mm bolt) and measure the clearance between the sensor mounting surface and the reluctor plate using a digital caliper. This is the most critical step for this vehicle.
7. If clearance is out of the 1.25mm-1.35mm spec, install the appropriate single shim to correct it. Replace the sensor O-ring, reinstall, and torque the bolt to 6.4 Nm (4.7 ft-lbs). Clear codes and test drive.
8. If clearance is correct, swap the sensor with the Bank 2 intake sensor (driver's side, top). Clear codes and see if the fault moves to Bank 2 (P0346). If it does, the sensor is faulty.
9. If the code remains P0341 after swapping sensors and confirming clearance, investigate the wiring more thoroughly or consider a more complex mechanical issue like the VVT sprocket or timing chain, especially if the code only appears on cold starts.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Camshaft Position Sensor Shim Kit (OEM #SU003-04600 (Repair Part Set)) — This is the most probable fix for a 2013 FR-S with P0341, needed to correct the sensor-to-camshaft clearance as per the TSB. The kit contains multiple shims of varying thickness (e.g., 10130-AA130 for 0.2mm, 10130-AA140 for 0.1mm, etc.), but only one should be used.
  Trusted brands: Subaru/Toyota OE
  OEM price range: $15-$125 (Price varies greatly depending on if you buy a single shim or the full dealer kit)
• Camshaft Position Sensor (Intake) (OEM #SU003-00186) — If the sensor itself has failed, which is the second most likely cause after the clearance issue.
  Trusted brands: Denso, NTK, Subaru/Toyota OE
  OEM price range: $90-$130
  Aftermarket price range: $60-$90
• Camshaft Sensor O-Ring (OEM #SU003-00185 (for intake sensors)) — The TSB specifies that the O-ring is a one-time use item and should be replaced whenever the sensor is removed.
  Trusted brands: Subaru/Toyota OE
  OEM price range: $2-$5

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0340 — This is a related code for the same sensor (Bank 1 Intake), indicating a general circuit malfunction rather than a performance/range issue. Both are listed in the TSB.
• P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 — These are misfire codes for cylinders 1-4. Incorrect camshaft timing information can lead to misfires, and the TSBs specifically list these codes as potential companions to the cam sensor codes.
• P0345, P0346, P0365, P0366, P0390, P0391 — These are all camshaft position sensor codes for the other three sensors on the engine (Bank 2 intake/exhaust, Bank 1 exhaust). The sensor clearance issue can affect any of the four sensors, and the TSB covers all of these DTCs.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• S-SB-0013-14: Addresses hard start, rough idle, and camshaft sensor/misfire DTCs due to sensor clearance being out of specification for Scion FR-S.
• S-SB-0033-13 Rev: The earlier, superseded version of the bulletin, also detailing the camshaft sensor clearance issue and repair procedure.
• Subaru TSB 11-130-13R: The equivalent bulletin for the Subaru BRZ, covering the same FA/FB engine family and detailing the same clearance issue and fix.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• Early production 2013 models are known to have incorrect camshaft position sensor clearance, which triggers codes P0340, P0341, and others. This is documented in Scion Technical Service Bulletin S-SB-0013-14 (which superseded S-SB-0033-13 Rev) and Subaru TSB 11-130-13R.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Camshaft Position Sensor Connector Voltage (Key On, Engine Off) — expected: Pin 1 (Gray wire): ~5V DC. Pin 2 (Green wire): ~5V DC. Pin 3 (Brown wire): Near 0V, good continuity to ground.. Failure: No voltage on Pin 1 indicates a power supply issue (check fuse). No voltage on Pin 2 could be an ECM or wiring issue. High resistance on Pin 3 indicates a bad ground.
• Camshaft Position Sensor Signal Waveform (Engine Running) — expected: A clean square wave alternating between 0V and 5V when viewed with an oscilloscope.. Failure: A missing, erratic, or distorted waveform indicates a faulty sensor or a problem with the reluctor wheel.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• Toyota Techstream: VVT Active Test — This function allows a technician to command the VVT actuator (cam phaser) to advance the timing. It can be used to confirm if the VVT system is mechanically responding. In one documented case, activating this test on the problematic bank (Bank 1) caused the engine to stall, while activating it on the good bank (Bank 2) only caused a slight stumble, helping to isolate the fault to the Bank 1 VVT system.
• Toyota Techstream: Learning Value Reset — After replacing a component in the timing system, such as a sensor or VVT sprocket, a 'Learning Value Reset' can be performed to clear the ECM's learned adaptations and force it to recalibrate to the new part's baseline.
• Toyota Techstream: Monitor Details (VVT Test Value) — Within the readiness monitor section, Techstream can display the actual test values, not just pass/fail. For the VVT system, it may show the time taken to change timing. A value approaching the failure limit (e.g., 9.5 seconds) could indicate a sluggish VVT actuator, even before a code is set.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Bank 1 Intake Cam Sensor Connector — Upper sensor on the front of the engine, passenger side.. This is the primary connector to test for power, ground, and signal for code P0341. The pins are: Pin 1 (Gray) = 5V Power, Pin 2 (Green) = Signal, Pin 3 (Brown) = Ground.
• Main Engine Ground Straps — There are three key locations: 1) Bottom-front of the engine to the frame rail (driver side). 2) Bottom-front of the engine to the frame rail (passenger side). 3) Top-rear of the engine/transmission (passenger side) to the transmission tunnel.. A poor engine ground can cause a host of electrical issues, including erratic sensor signals. The strap at the top-rear of the transmission is reportedly often forgotten during clutch jobs, leading to potential issues.
• ECU Ground Point — The ECU for the FA20 engine primarily grounds to the top of the intake manifold.. If the intake manifold's ground path to the block or chassis is compromised (e.g., by using non-conductive TGV deletes or spacers without a supplementary ground), it can cause unstable ECU operation and sensor-related fault codes.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• FT86Club user 'DoubleV' (2013 Toyota GT86 (platform twin)) — P0341 only appeared on a cold start. After the engine warmed up, the code could be cleared and would not return. The car had a prior valve spring recall where a timing chain tensioner was broken and replaced.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replacing the Bank 1 intake camshaft position sensor., Replacing the Bank 1 intake Oil Control Valve (OCV)., Checking for wiring issues.
  ✅ What actually fixed it Replacing the Bank 1 (passenger side) intake VVT sprocket (cam gear) with a known good unit resolved the cold-start code permanently.

When the Usual Fixes Don't Work

• While the TSB for sensor clearance is the most common cause of P0341 on the 2013 FR-S, it is not the only cause. In cases where the code appears exclusively during cold starts and disappears when the engine is warm, the root cause may be a failing VVT intake sprocket. One owner replaced the sensor and the oil control valve without success, and the problem was only resolved by replacing the VVT sprocket itself. This highlights that if the TSB shim fix and a sensor swap do not resolve the code, a deeper mechanical diagnosis of the VVT system is required.

OEM Part Supersession History

• Unknown → SU003-11391 — The VVT sprockets for the FA20 engine have had at least two updates since their introduction in 2012. This part number is the current replacement for the Bank 1 (RH) Intake Camshaft Timing Gear Assembly.
• su00304674, su00304749 → SU003-05186 — This is the Engine Control Module (ECM) for manual transmission models.
  Heads up: Indicates a running hardware/software change in the ECM during the 2013 model year, which could affect diagnostics or software update eligibility.