P0345 on 2014-2018 Ram 3500 HEMI: Causes for Cam Sensor Code on Bank 2

What's Unique About the 2014-2018 Ram 3500

While P0345 often points to a bad sensor, on Ram trucks it is frequently caused by a wiring issue. The engine wiring harness can be susceptible to heat damage and corrosion, leading to a faulty signal. This is so common that Ram issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB #05149141A) instructing technicians to collect freeze frame data and contact a factory representative before simply replacing the sensor, strongly implying the sensor itself is often not the root cause. In more severe cases on the 5.7L and 6.4L HEMI, this code can be an early warning for camshaft and lifter failure, a well-documented and expensive issue known as 'HEMI tick'. A worn cam lobe produces an erratic signal that the PCM interprets as a sensor circuit fault.

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 illuminated
• Engine cranks but will not start
• Engine stalls unexpectedly, especially at idle or when coming to a stop
• Rough idle or hesitation during acceleration
• Noticeable loss of engine power and poor acceleration
• Increased fuel consumption
• Engine may enter a reduced power or 'limp' mode

Most Likely Causes

1. Damaged Wiring or Connector 🔴 High Probability The wiring harness for the sensor is located in a high-heat area of the engine bay. Over time, the protective loom can degrade, allowing wires to melt, chafe against brackets, or corrode. This is a very common failure point on Ram trucks.
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the entire wiring harness from the sensor to the main loom for signs of melting, chafing, or corrosion at the connector. Pay close attention to where the harness runs near the front of the driver's side cylinder head and around any brackets. Wiggle the connector and wiring with the engine running to see if it causes a stumble.
   Typical fix: Repair the damaged section of wire or replace the sensor's pigtail connector.
   Est. part cost: $15-$60
2. Failed Camshaft Position Sensor 🔴 High Probability → Shop Engine Camshaft Position Sensor The sensor operates in a high-heat environment and can fail internally over time. However, it is often replaced when the actual fault is in the wiring. Using non-OEM sensors is a common cause for repeat failures, as some aftermarket sensors do not communicate well with the Mopar PCM.
   How to confirm: Swap the Bank 2 (driver's side) sensor with the Bank 1 (passenger's side) sensor. Clear the codes. If the trouble code changes to P0340 (Bank 1), the sensor is faulty. 🎬 Watch: How to test a bad cam sensor for accurate results. If P0345 returns, the issue is elsewhere.
   Typical fix: Replace the Bank 2 camshaft position sensor, preferably with an OEM Mopar part.
   Est. part cost: $30-$80
3. Worn Timing Components or Failed Cam Phaser ⚪ Low Probability While less common than sensor or wiring issues, timing chain stretch or VVT phaser failure can occur at higher mileage, causing the cam/crank correlation to be off and setting this code.
   How to confirm: This is an advanced diagnosis requiring an oscilloscope to compare camshaft and crankshaft sensor signals. A rattling noise from the front of the engine upon startup can also be an indicator. This may be accompanied by code P0016.
   Typical fix: Replace the timing chain, gears, tensioners, and/or the camshaft phaser.
   Est. part cost: $400-$1200

Rare But Worth Checking

• Failing Camshaft and Lifters ('HEMI Tick'): → Shop Engine Camshaft On the 5.7L and 6.4L HEMI, a distinct ticking noise from the engine accompanied by this code is a strong indicator of a worn camshaft lobe and failing lifters. The damaged lobe provides an erratic signal to the sensor, which the PCM flags as a circuit fault. This is a severe mechanical failure that requires immediate attention to prevent catastrophic engine damage.
🎬 See this guide on identifying and fixing the common HEMI tick.
• Faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM): This is very rare. The PCM should only be considered after all other possibilities, including wiring, sensors, and mechanical timing, have been definitively ruled out.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read all fault codes stored in the PCM. Note any other codes that are present, especially misfire or correlation codes.
2. Perform a thorough visual inspection of the Bank 2 (driver's side) camshaft position sensor and its wiring harness. Look for melted plastic, frayed wires, or green corrosion in the connector. Follow the harness as far back as you can, checking for areas where it might rub against the engine.
3. If the wiring looks good, perform a sensor swap. Disconnect the battery. Swap the Bank 1 (passenger side) and Bank 2 (driver side) cam sensors. Reconnect the battery, start the engine, and see if the code changes to P0340. If it does, the sensor is bad.
4. If the P0345 code returns after the swap, the problem is likely in the wiring or a mechanical issue. With the key on, engine off, use a multimeter to test the connector. Check for a 5-volt reference signal and a good ground.
5. If power and ground are good, check the signal wire for continuity back to the PCM. An open or short in this wire is a common cause.
🎬 Watch: How to fix P0345 hard start and misfire issues.
6. If all wiring and the sensor test good, the issue may be mechanical. Listen carefully for engine ticking or rattling noises that could indicate a timing chain or lifter issue. Advanced diagnosis with an oscilloscope to view the sensor's waveform is the next step to confirm a mechanical problem.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Camshaft Position Sensor (OEM #5149141AF (or 5149054AC)) — This is the most commonly replaced part for this code, though it may be misdiagnosed. It is the primary suspect if a sensor swap test confirms its failure. Using the OEM Mopar part is highly recommended. Note: Part number 56028815AB, previously associated with this repair, is for the CRANKshaft sensor.
  Trusted brands: Mopar (OEM), NTK/NGK, Delphi, Bosch
  OEM price range: $40-$80
  Aftermarket price range: $25-$60
• Camshaft Position Sensor Connector Pigtail (OEM #68064994AA (8-way connector kit, verify application)) — If the connector itself is corroded or melted, or if the wires are damaged near the connector, replacing the pigtail is the correct repair.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, Dorman
  OEM price range: $40-$60
  Aftermarket price range: $15-$30

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0340 — This code for Bank 1 will appear if the sensors from Bank 1 and Bank 2 were swapped for diagnostic purposes and the original Bank 2 sensor was faulty.
• P0300 — A random/multiple cylinder misfire code can be triggered because the incorrect cam timing disrupts the engine's firing order.
• P0302, P0304, P0306, P0308 — These are misfire codes for the specific cylinders on Bank 2 (driver's side). They strongly suggest the issue is isolated to that side of the engine, which could be caused by a bad cam signal or a mechanical problem on that bank.
• P0016 — Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation. This code can appear if the timing chain has stretched or a cam phaser has failed, causing a physical misalignment that is detected by both sensors.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• 05149141A: Advises technicians to contact a specific factory representative and send diagnostic data before replacing a camshaft position sensor for codes P0340, P0344, P0345, P0349, and others. This strongly suggests the root cause is often not the sensor itself and that the manufacturer is tracking data on these failures.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• A known issue on this platform is the degradation of the wiring harness near the front of the engine due to heat, often leading to intermittent shorts or open circuits that trigger P0345.
• Manufacturer TSB #05149141A was issued for multiple cam sensor codes, including P0345. It advises technicians to capture and email freeze frame data to a specific factory representative before replacing the sensor, which points to a high likelihood of misdiagnosis where the sensor is not the true cause.
• The 'HEMI tick' (camshaft/lifter failure) is a well-documented, serious mechanical issue on 5.7L and 6.4L engines that can manifest with a P0345 code as an early symptom.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Camshaft Position Sensor 5V Supply Voltage — expected: 4.5 - 5.2 Volts (Key On, Engine Off). Failure: Voltage below 4.5V indicates an open/short in the supply circuit or a PCM fault.
• Camshaft Position Sensor Signal Wire Voltage (Static) — expected: ~5.0 Volts (Key On, Engine Off, Sensor Unplugged). Failure: Chrysler systems often use a bias voltage. A reading of 0V could indicate a short to ground on the signal wire.
• Camshaft Position Sensor Signal (Dynamic) — expected: A clean square wave switching between ~0V and 5V when viewed on an oscilloscope while cranking.. Failure: A missing, erratic, or distorted waveform indicates a faulty sensor or a mechanical issue (e.g., worn cam lobe).
• Sensor Circuit Resistance — expected: Less than 5.0 Ohms for continuity on supply and signal wires. Greater than 100 Ohms when checking for a short to ground.. Failure: High resistance indicates an open or corrosion; low resistance to ground indicates a short.
• Camshaft Position Sensor Mounting Bolt Torque — expected: 12 N.m (106 in. lbs.). Failure: Over-tightening can damage the sensor; under-tightening can allow it to vibrate loose.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• High-End Scan Tool (e.g., wiTECH, Autel, Snap-on): Cam/Crank Variation Relearn — After replacing the camshaft or crankshaft position sensor, some vehicles require this procedure to synchronize the new sensor signal with the PCM. Failure to perform the relearn may cause the code to persist or the engine to run poorly even with a good part.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Bank 2 Camshaft Position Sensor — On the front timing cover of the engine, on the driver's side (Bank 2). It is held in place by a single 10mm bolt.. This is the sensor that generates the signal for the P0345 code. Its location makes it and its wiring susceptible to heat damage from the front of the engine.
• Sensor Connector Pinout (3-Wire) — The electrical connector that plugs into the camshaft position sensor.. Knowing the pinout is required for accurate electrical testing. Typically: Pin 1 = 5V Supply, Pin 2 = Signal Wire, Pin 3 = Sensor Ground.
• Circuit K444 / F856 — These are internal Chrysler circuit designations for the wiring between the PCM and the sensor.. In service manuals and wiring diagrams, the Bank 2 CMP signal circuit is often labeled K444 and the 5-volt supply is F856. This helps in tracing the correct wires for continuity and voltage checks at the PCM connector.
• Ignition Coil Capacitor — Typically located in the right-rear section of the engine compartment, with a ground strap to the chassis.. This capacitor dampens electrical noise. If it fails, it can introduce interference into the camshaft position sensor circuit, causing an erratic signal and triggering a P0345 code even if the sensor and wiring are good.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 5149054AB → 5149054AC — Standard part revision by the manufacturer.
  Heads up: These parts are generally interchangeable, with the newer version being the preferred replacement. This is one of the common OEM part numbers for the 5.7L HEMI camshaft sensor.
• N/A → 5149141AF — Standard part revision by the manufacturer.
  Heads up: This is another widely cited OEM part number for the HEMI camshaft sensor. Always verify the correct part number with a VIN at the dealership, as multiple numbers may have been used.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2014-2018: There are no significant mechanical changes to the 5.7L or 6.4L HEMI engines within this year range that would alter the diagnosis for a P0345 code. The primary differences across these model years were related to infotainment systems (Uconnect) and trim packages, not the core engine management system.