P0345 Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit (Bank 2) (1 Viewer)

[2006 LX470]

I recently had a P0345 Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit (Bank 2) code trip my check engine light on. It happened after a weekend of wheeling rocky, muddy terrain with water crossings.

I did replace the cam position sensor with an OEM replacement and the light still pops less than 10 seconds after restarting the vehicle (after clearing the code).

My truck is a 2006 so it has the VVTI. I checked cam solenoids and they both measure around 920 ohms when cold (within factory spec). I also checked and cleaned all the grounds in the engine bay. The battery has a full charge and didn't have any issues charging with the alternator. The truck starts right up and doesn't have any hesitations, odd noises, or power loss.

I am wondering if maybe some wire or connectors are retaining water causing the issue - even though it's been 3 weeks since the wheeling trip. Can anyone give me suggestions on what else I should be checking?

 

[Import Driver]

Occasionally a mechanic wont route the wire harness correctly after replacing the timing belt on the 2UZ-FE engine. This can result in the harness that is going to the crank position sensor to rub on the belt or pulley. Strangely enough it can cause a camshaft position sensor code.

Obviously this is not a Toyota reliability problem. It is an incompetent mechanic.

This problem has been documented on Tundra forums as well as this forum. I dug into it because it left me stranded 3 hours from home.

That having been said, I'm not convinced that is your problem. When the wire to the crank position sensor starts disconnecting or shorting out, it engine starts cutting out or dies completely... Which is not what you described.

It could point you in the right direction. Check the wires and connectors towards the bottom of the engine on the left side (maybe find the crank position sensor and work backwards).

 

[2001LC]

VVT engine 06-07 (4.7L 2UZ-fe VVTi), are the only ones, with two extra cam sensors (BK1 & BK2 VVT cam sensor). These sensors, are on top side of heads in middle area between heads and intake manifold. Do not confuse these, with BK1 cam sensor, behind T-belt cover found on all 4.7L 2UZ which reads BK1 cam sprocket. VVT have the one at front, plus the two others center head..

Wires themself are sealed, by the manufacture process of coating with sheathing. The "seal" isn't 100% at ends, but water inside wire sheathing, is not likely your issue.

In deep water crossing. Unless water above main wire harness rubber seal as it enters firewall and that seal bad OR got into cabin and level had risen above bottom of glove box. It would not get to VVT cam sensor or ECM, wire housing blocks in cabin behind glove box.

But a windshield leaks. Water may get to ground signal, junction box, wires housing blocks, ECU, etc. all inside cabin. Water drys up. But over time, these cabin entry water leaks. Can result in oxidation at contact points, from drying water on any of these connects.

Also rodents love to chew wire.

Since you've already replaced VVT BK2 cam sensor. I'd check wire(s) and wire block from sensor to ECU. Check junction box also, by pulling fuse and look for oxidation on blades. I really don't know, if any contacts or fuses in RH junction box, relate to VVT BK2 cam sensor. But checking JB & fuses it could yield clues to leaks. From there check ECU. If all good. You may have VVT controller, actuator or oil pressure issue.

 

[2006 LX470]

@2001LC You have helped me so many times through your extreme knowledge of these Cruisers! I always follow your write ups for flushing fluids, maintenance and modifications like that secondary air injection filter. I am forever grateful for all of your contributions!

When I said I replaced the camshaft position sensor I meant I replaced the one in the front cover. I didn't realize those sensors between the head and the intake manifold were additional camshaft sensors for the VVTI engine.

I did an extensive overhaul on the truck last year. Started with the timing belt, then I did a lot of while you are in there items - all the pulleys for the timing and serpentine belt, all the coolant hoses, water pump, fan bracket, VVTI cam seals, crank seal, starter and intake manifold gasket.

At some point I disconnected a bunch of sensors to get the wiring harness up and out of the way and one of the electrical connectors broke from being brittle after 250k miles of heat in that area. Yep... You guess it. It was the bank 2 camshaft position sensor - ugh! It must have rattled loose after a weekend of hard wheeling in Kentucky. I plugged it back in and no more CEL.

I ordered a replacement connector to eliminate the problem in the future, just have to wait for it to arrive. Thanks again for taking the time out of your day to write such a detailed response and make me look in the right place.