P0345 on 2015-2018 Ram Promaster City: Camshaft Sensor Circuit Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2015-2018 Ram PROMASTER CITY

The 2.4L Tigershark engine in the Promaster City has two camshaft position sensors, one for the intake and one for the exhaust cam. A known issue, documented in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) #05149141A, addresses faults with these sensors, indicating it's a recognized problem from the manufacturer. The primary challenge on this vehicle is the location difference: the exhaust sensor (related to code P0365) is 🎬 See this walkthrough for locating and replacing the 2.4L sensors. easily accessible on the valve cover, but the intake sensor (for P0345/P0340) is buried under the plastic intake 🎬 Watch: Step-by-step guide to removing the intake manifold. manifold, making replacement significantly more labor-intensive. Another critical factor for this engine is its known tendency for high oil consumption; low oil levels can starve the MultiAir valvetrain system and trigger camshaft sensor codes.

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 long crank times.
• Engine stalls, sometimes while driving.
• Rough or unstable idle.
• Hesitation or stumbling during acceleration.
• Reduced engine power and performance.
• Poor fuel economy.

Most Likely Causes

1. Failed Camshaft Position Sensor 🔴 High Probability → Shop Engine Camshaft Position Sensor A known TSB (#05149141A) was issued for camshaft position sensor faults on this engine, indicating a higher-than-normal failure rate. The 2.4L MultiAir engine is widely documented on owner forums and in repair videos as having this common failure part.
   How to confirm: Test the sensor's output signal with a multimeter or oscilloscope. However, given the high failure rate and difficult access for the intake sensor, many shops and DIYers opt to replace it based on the code after verifying oil level and wiring integrity. After replacement, a cam-crank relearn procedure with a capable scan tool may be required.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty camshaft position sensor. Since the intake sensor (P0345) is very difficult to access, many owners choose to replace both sensors at the same time. Using a high-quality OEM Mopar part is strongly recommended due to the labor involved.
   Est. part cost: $69-$151
2. Wiring or Connector Issue 🟡 Medium Probability Engine bay heat and vibrations can make wiring brittle and cause connectors to loosen or corrode over time.
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the wiring harness and connector for any signs of damage, corrosion, or loose pins. Check for 5V power supply, ground, and signal continuity at the connector with a multimeter.
   Typical fix: Repair the damaged section of the wiring harness or clean/replace the connector.
   Est. part cost: $5-$50
3. Low or Incorrect Engine Oil 🟡 Medium Probability The 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir engine is widely known for excessive oil consumption. Low oil levels can cause the variable valve timing (VVT) system, which relies on oil pressure, to malfunction and trigger camshaft-related fault codes.
   How to confirm: Check the engine oil level and condition immediately. If it is low, top it off, clear the codes, and see if the issue returns. This should be the very first check performed.
   Typical fix: Top up the engine oil to the correct level with the manufacturer-specified oil type. Address the root cause of oil consumption if it is excessive.
   Est. part cost: $10-$40
4. Engine Oil Contamination ⚪ Low Probability
   How to confirm: When removing the sensor, check for excessive engine oil leaking into the sensor's housing or fouling the electrical connector.
   Typical fix: Replace the sensor and its O-ring. Address the source of the oil leak, which may be a failing valve cover gasket.
   Est. part cost: $20-$151

Rare But Worth Checking

• Stretched or Slipped Timing Chain: → Shop Engine Timing Chain This is a severe mechanical issue. If the sensor and wiring are good, the correlation between the camshaft and crankshaft sensors should be checked with a professional scan tool. This would likely be accompanied by other timing-related codes like P0016 or P0017.
• Faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM): This is very rare. The PCM should only be considered after all other possibilities, including sensors, wiring, oil level, and mechanical timing, have been exhaustively ruled out. Sometimes a PCM software update from a dealer can resolve false codes.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read the trouble codes with an OBD-II scanner to confirm P0345 is present and note any other codes.
2. CRITICAL FIRST STEP: Check the engine oil level and condition. Low oil is a very common cause of this code on the 2.4L MultiAir engine. Top up if necessary.
3. Inspect the wiring and connector for the intake camshaft position sensor. It is located under the intake manifold. Look for any visible damage, corrosion, or loose connections.
4. If access is possible, use a multimeter to test the sensor circuit. Check for a 5-volt reference signal, a good ground, and a fluctuating signal voltage while cranking the engine.
5. Given the difficult access, if the oil level is correct and there's no obvious wiring damage, the most common repair is to replace the intake camshaft position sensor.
6. Due to the significant labor involved in removing the intake manifold, it is highly recommended to use a high-quality OEM Mopar sensor and to consider replacing the easily accessible exhaust camshaft sensor at the same time as preventative maintenance.
7. After reassembly, clear the codes and perform a test drive. A cam/crank relearn procedure using a professional scan tool may be necessary for the PCM to recognize the new sensor correctly.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Camshaft Position Sensor (OEM #68080819AD) — This is the most common cause for code P0345. The original part number 68080819AC has been superseded by 68080819AD, suggesting a revision to the part. The vehicle has two of these sensors (one intake, one exhaust), and they are physically identical.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, Delphi, NGK, Standard Motor Products
  OEM price range: $88-$131
  Aftermarket price range: $69-$120

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0340 — P0340 is for the Camshaft Position Sensor 'A' Circuit (Bank 1). On this inline engine, P0340 and P0345 are often used interchangeably by different scan tools to refer to the same intake sensor. Seeing either points to the intake cam sensor.
• P0365 — This code is for the Camshaft Position Sensor 'B' Circuit (Bank 1), which corresponds to the easily accessible exhaust camshaft sensor. It is common for both sensors to have issues, and some owners replace them in pairs.
• P0335 — This code for the Crankshaft Position Sensor is often listed in the same TSBs as the camshaft codes, indicating potential for related timing signal issues or a PCM software update that addresses multiple timing sensor faults.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• 05149141A: Addresses fault codes P0340, P0344, P0345, P0349, P0365, P0369, P0390 or P0394. Instructs dealers to contact a specific engineer before replacement, indicating a known factory-level issue with the sensor or diagnosis in early models.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• The 2.4L Tigershark engine has two camshaft position sensors. The exhaust sensor (code P0365) is easy to access on the side of the valve cover, while the intake sensor (code P0340/P0345) is located under the intake manifold and is significantly more difficult and time-consuming to replace.
• TSB #05149141A was issued by Ram for multiple camshaft position sensor fault codes, including P0345. It instructs dealers to contact a specific factory representative when replacing the sensor, suggesting a known issue with either the parts or the diagnostic procedure during its early production years.
• The 2.4L MultiAir engine is known for high oil consumption. Low oil levels are a frequent and often overlooked cause of this specific trouble code.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Camshaft Position Sensor 5V Supply — expected: 4.9V to 5.2V with key on, engine off.. Failure: Voltage below 4.5V suggests a wiring or PCM issue.
• Camshaft Position Sensor Ground Circuit Resistance — expected: Less than 5.0 Ohms between the sensor's ground pin and a known good chassis ground.. Failure: Resistance above 5.0 Ohms indicates a poor or corroded ground connection.
• Camshaft Position Sensor Signal (Oscilloscope) — expected: A clean square wave pattern switching between approximately 0V and 5V as the engine cranks or runs.. Failure: A signal that is constant, erratic, or shows a distorted pattern.
• Alternator AC Ripple Voltage — expected: Less than 0.5 Volts AC, measured at the battery terminals while the engine is running.. Failure: Voltage greater than 0.5V AC indicates failing alternator diodes, which can create electrical noise that interferes with the cam sensor signal.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• wiTECH (FCA Dealer Tool) or equivalent professional scanner: Camshaft/Crankshaft Relearn (or 'Adaptive Learn') — This procedure is recommended after replacing a camshaft or crankshaft position sensor. It forces the PCM to learn the new sensor's signal characteristics and positional variance, preventing potential rough running, misfires, or future codes after the repair.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Camshaft Position Sensor Connector — On the sensor itself. For P0345, this is under the intake manifold.. This 3-pin connector is where you test the circuit. Pin 1 is the 5V power supply, Pin 2 is the signal wire, and Pin 3 is the ground. Verifying voltage and ground here is a primary diagnostic step.
• Primary Engine/Transmission Ground Strap — Typically a braided strap running from the transmission case to a bolt on the transmission mount or directly to the chassis frame, often near the driver's side headlight area.. A corroded or loose main ground strap can cause inconsistent voltage and data corruption for multiple engine sensors, including the camshaft sensor, leading to intermittent and hard-to-diagnose codes.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 68080819AC → 68080819AD — Part revision by the manufacturer, likely to improve reliability or address a known weakness in the original design.