Failed camshaft position sensor; Signal wire shorted to the 5 V reference or battery voltage; Open ground circuit at the sensor; Corroded or oil-soaked connector.

How much does it cost to fix P0343?

Usually 60–250 € at an independent workshop in Europe, depending on which part is at fault.

P0343 Camshaft position sensor A circuit high (bank 1 or single sensor)

What P0343 means

The voltage from camshaft position sensor A on bank 1 is higher than the engine computer considers possible. The computer cannot read camshaft position and falls back to running without it, which can affect starting and valve timing.

P0343 is a generic SAE J2012 code: it means the same on every make. The exact cause still depends on the car, so read the freeze-frame data before replacing parts.

At a glance

Severity: High
Typical repair cost: 60–250 €
Workshop time: 0.5–4 h
Repair difficulty: Medium
DIY possible: Yes
Check engine light: Yes
Affects emissions test: Yes

Parts and labour at an independent workshop in Europe. Main dealers charge more; the cause decides the bill, not the code.

Symptoms

Check engine light on
Long cranking or hard starting
Rough idle or stalling
Power loss, especially in the mid-rpm range
Higher fuel consumption

Common causes

Failed camshaft position sensor
Signal wire shorted to the 5 V reference or battery voltage
Open ground circuit at the sensor
Corroded or oil-soaked connector

Can I keep driving with P0343?

Get it checked within a few days. The engine may be hard to start or stall, and variable valve timing may be disabled.

What to check first

Inspect the sensor connector for oil and corrosion.
Check the sensor ground and supply voltage.
With the sensor unplugged, check the signal wire for a short to voltage.
Replace the sensor if the wiring is good.

Related codes

Data: TORKO fault-code catalogue, built on OBDex (CC0-1.0) and reviewed against workshop practice. Informational only — it does not replace a diagnosis by a mechanic.
Updated: 2026-10-24