P0345 on 2011-2018 Ram 1500: Cam Sensor, Wiring, or HEMI Lifter Failure?

What's Unique About the 2011-2018 Ram 1500

For the 5.7L HEMI engine in this generation of Ram 1500, P0345 is a code that demands immediate and serious attention. While it can be a simple sensor failure, it is notoriously linked to a significant design issue known as "HEMI lifter tick," which leads to the failure of the hydraulic lifters and subsequent destruction of the camshaft lobes. A worn cam lobe will produce an erratic signal from the camshaft position sensor, triggering this code. Therefore, unlike on many other vehicles, P0345 on a HEMI should be investigated as a potential mechanical failure, not just an electrical fault. For the 3.6L Pentastar, while less prone to catastrophic failure from this code, it has its own unique issues, including a known problem with the left cylinder head on 2011-2013 models (covered under warranty extension X56 and TSB 09-002-14) and instances of the camshaft's magnetic tone ring becoming loose.

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 cranks but won't start
• Engine stalling or running rough, especially at idle
• Noticeable loss of engine power and acceleration
• Increased fuel consumption
• Engine misfires, which may feel like a shake or shudder
• Engine makes a distinct 'ticking' or 'tapping' noise (especially on 5.7L HEMI)

Most Likely Causes

1. Failed Camshaft Position Sensor (Bank 2) 🔴 High Probability Sensors can fail over time due to heat cycles and oil contamination. It's the most common and simplest cause for this code across all engines. Some owners report better longevity with OEM Mopar sensors over aftermarket alternatives.
   How to confirm: Swap the Bank 2 (driver side) sensor with the Bank 1 (passenger side) sensor. If the code changes to P0340 (Bank 1), the sensor is faulty. If the P0345 code returns, the problem is elsewhere.
   Typical fix: Replace the faulty camshaft position sensor. On the 5.7L HEMI, it is located on the front of the engine, on the driver's side, held by a single 10mm bolt. 🎬 Watch: Step-by-step guide to replacing the 5.7L HEMI camshaft sensor. On the 3.6L Pentastar, the sensor is on the rear of the driver's side cylinder head and requires removing the engine cover and intake snorkel for access. 🎬 Watch: How to replace the camshaft sensor on a 3.6L V6.
   Est. part cost: $30-$75
2. Worn Camshaft Lobe and Failed Lifters (5.7L HEMI) 🔴 High Probability The 5.7L HEMI engine from this era has a well-documented design flaw with the Multi-Displacement System (MDS) lifters. The lifter's roller bearing can fail, causing the lifter to seize and grind down the corresponding camshaft lobe. This creates an incorrect cam position reading, triggering P0345, often accompanied by a P030X misfire code.
   How to confirm: Listen for a distinct 'ticking' noise from the engine. Check the engine oil for metallic particles with a magnet. A mechanic can perform a relative compression test or, more definitively, remove the valve cover on Bank 2 to visually inspect the camshaft lobes and rocker arm movement for the affected cylinders.
   Typical fix: This is a major engine repair requiring the replacement of the camshaft, all lifters (often with upgraded non-MDS lifters as part of an 'MDS delete'), head gaskets, and related components. One owner on RamForum.com confirmed that if a lifter fails, the cam lobe is almost certainly destroyed and must be replaced.
   Est. part cost: $800-$2000+
3. Wiring or Connector Issue 🟡 Medium Probability The engine bay environment can cause wiring to become brittle, chafed, or contaminated with oil, leading to a poor connection or a short/open circuit.
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the wiring harness and connector for the Bank 2 cam sensor. Check for damage, corrosion, or oil saturation. Use a multimeter to test for proper voltage (typically 5V reference), ground, and signal continuity back to the PCM per the service manual.
   Typical fix: Repair the damaged section of wiring or replace the connector pigtail.
   Est. part cost: $15-$50

Rare But Worth Checking

• Damaged or Loose Camshaft Reluctor/Tone Ring (3.6L Pentastar): On the 3.6L V6, the magnetic tone ring pressed onto the camshaft can become loose or fall off entirely. This will cause an immediate P0345 code and a no-start or limp mode condition. A Reddit user with a 2012 Grand Cherokee confirmed this was their issue after replacing the camshafts.
• Stretched Timing Chain or Failed Phaser: While less common than sensor or lifter failure, a stretched timing chain can cause the camshaft timing to be physically out of sync with the crankshaft, leading the sensor to report an error.
• Faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM): This is very rare, but the PCM itself can fail, causing it to misinterpret a good sensor signal or fail to process it correctly. This should only be considered after all other possibilities have been exhaustively ruled out.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read all fault codes with an OBD-II scanner. Note any misfire (P030X) or other timing-related codes.
2. For 5.7L HEMI engines, listen carefully for any engine ticking noise at idle and check the oil and oil filter for metallic debris, which are strong indicators of lifter failure.
3. Inspect the wiring and connector for the Bank 2 (driver's side) camshaft position sensor. Look for any signs of damage, oil contamination, or loose pins.
4. A simple diagnostic test is to swap the Bank 2 sensor with the Bank 1 (passenger side) sensor. Clear the codes and run the engine. If the code returns as P0340, the sensor is bad. If P0345 returns, the issue is in the wiring or is mechanical.
5. If the sensor is ruled out, use a multimeter to verify the sensor's circuit. Check for a 5-volt reference signal, a good ground, and continuity on the signal wire back to the PCM, following service manual procedures.
6. If wiring and sensor are good, the next step is to suspect a mechanical issue. For a 5.7L HEMI, a professional should inspect the valvetrain, which involves removing the driver's side valve cover to check for wiped camshaft lobes or stuck lifters. For a 3.6L Pentastar, this would be the time to inspect the camshaft tone rings for looseness if the valve cover is off.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Camshaft Position Sensor (OEM #5149141AF) — This is the most common electrical component to fail and is the first part to test and potentially replace. The bolt should be torqued to 106 in-lbs on the 5.7L HEMI.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, Bosch, NTK/NGK
  OEM price range: $50-$75
  Aftermarket price range: $30-$55
• Camshaft and Lifter Kit (5.7L HEMI) — If the root cause is the common HEMI lifter failure, a full replacement of the camshaft and all lifters is required to properly fix the issue and prevent a recurrence. Many owners opt to install a non-MDS camshaft and lifters at this time ('MDS Delete').
  Trusted brands: Mopar, Comp Cams, Melling
  OEM price range: $1200-$2000
  Aftermarket price range: $800-$1500

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0300 — A random/multiple cylinder misfire code often accompanies P0345, especially when it's caused by HEMI lifter failure or 3.6L cylinder head issues. The incorrect cam timing leads to misfires.
• P0302, P0304, P0306 — These are misfire codes for specific cylinders on Bank 2 (driver's side). If a single cam lobe is worn on a HEMI, the corresponding cylinder will misfire. These codes are also specifically mentioned in TSB 09-002-14 for the 3.6L Pentastar cylinder head issue.
• P0340 — This is the equivalent code for Bank 1 (passenger side). Seeing both P0340 and P0345 could indicate a systemic issue like a timing chain problem or widespread wiring issues. It can also appear if you swap a bad Bank 2 sensor to Bank 1 for diagnosis.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• 05149141A: A 2015 bulletin that advises technicians to contact a specific Chrysler engineer before replacing the camshaft position sensor for a P0345 code, highlighting the potential for misdiagnosis.
• 09-002-14 Rev. B: A 2014 bulletin for the 3.6L engine that addresses MIL illumination for misfire codes on Bank 2 (P0302, P0304, P0306) by checking for cylinder leakage and replacing the left cylinder head if necessary.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• The 5.7L HEMI V8 in this generation is highly susceptible to lifter failure, particularly on the MDS (Multi-Displacement System) cylinders. A failed lifter roller will destroy the camshaft lobe, causing timing issues that trigger P0345.
• The 3.6L Pentastar V6 in early models (2011-2013) had a known issue with the left cylinder head (Bank 2) that could cause misfires and related codes. This was covered by Chrysler's extended warranty X56 and detailed in TSB 09-002-14 Rev. B.
• On the 3.6L Pentastar, the magnetic tone ring on the end of the camshaft can become loose, leading to an incorrect signal and triggering P0345.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Camshaft Position Sensor 5V Supply Voltage — expected: 4.5 - 5.0 Volts with key on, engine off.. Failure: Voltage below 4.5V or above 5.0V indicates a problem in the supply circuit or PCM.
• Camshaft Position Sensor Signal Voltage (3-wire sensor) — expected: Switches between 0V and 5V as the engine is cranked or a metal object is passed over the sensor tip.. Failure: A signal that is stuck high (5V), stuck low (0V), or shows a distorted pattern on an oscilloscope points to a failed sensor or wiring issue.
• Sensor Ground Circuit Resistance — expected: Below 5.0 Ohms between the sensor connector ground pin and the PCM connector ground pin.. Failure: Resistance above 5.0 Ohms indicates a poor ground connection, which can cause erratic sensor readings.
• Sensor Signal Circuit Resistance — expected: Below 5.0 Ohms between the sensor connector signal pin and the corresponding PCM connector pin.. Failure: Resistance above 5.0 Ohms indicates a problem in the signal wire (open/high resistance).

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• wiTECH (Chrysler/FCA Dealer Tool): View Cam/Crank Sync State — This function allows a technician to see if the PCM recognizes the camshaft and crankshaft signals as being in sync. If the state is 'No Sync' while the engine is cranking, it points directly to a problem with the cam or crank sensor signals, helping to differentiate between a sensor/wiring issue and a mechanical timing problem.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Bank 2 Camshaft Position Sensor Connector — On the 5.7L HEMI, it's on the front of the driver's side cylinder head. On the 3.6L Pentastar, it's on the rear of the driver's side cylinder head.. This is the primary connection to inspect for damage, corrosion, or oil saturation. It is a 3-pin connector.
• PCM Connector C2 (3.6L) — The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is typically located in the engine bay, often near the firewall or fender. C2 is one of the main harness connectors plugging into it.. This connector contains the pins for the camshaft position sensor's 5V supply, signal, and ground circuits. Testing for continuity and voltage at these pins is essential for diagnosing wiring faults between the sensor and the PCM.
• PCM Pin (K444) - CMP Signal 2/1 (3.6L) — This is the specific pin on the PCM C2 connector for the Bank 2 camshaft sensor signal.. A technician must probe this pin to verify the signal from the sensor is reaching the computer, ruling out an open or shorted signal wire.
• PCM Pin (F856) - 5-Volt Supply (3.6L) — This pin on the PCM C2 connector provides the 5-volt reference voltage to the sensor.. Verifying 4.5-5.0V at this pin confirms the PCM is providing correct power to the sensor.
• PCM Pin (K900) - Sensor Ground (3.6L) — This pin on the PCM C2 connector provides the ground path for the sensor.. Confirming low resistance to ground at this pin is crucial; a bad ground is a common cause of sensor signal issues.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• iFixit forum user (Ford F-150 (similar EFI system principles)) — Rough idling with P0345 code.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) A dealer replaced multiple parts in a $1200 repair attempt that failed to solve the issue.
  ✅ What actually fixed it A severely corroded and failing engine ground cable was found by a different repair shop. Replacing the ground cable resolved all symptoms and the P0345 code.
• YouTube video by 'FerKurl' (2004 Dodge Durango (5.7L HEMI, similar sensor and testing procedure)) — P0344 code (Bank 1 equivalent), but diagnostic process is identical.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Initial checks of the sensor when cold showed it was functioning normally.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The camshaft position sensor was heat-sensitive. When the engine was hot, the sensor would fail and output an incorrect, steady voltage (0.54V) instead of switching. After cooling down, it worked again. Replacing the sensor fixed the problem.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 5149141A (and earlier versions) → 5149141AF — Part revision by the manufacturer to improve reliability or address known failure modes. The TSB #05149141A specifically calls out this part number family for issues related to cam sensor codes.
  Heads up: While older versions may fit, the latest revision (AF) is recommended to ensure the most up-to-date design and prevent repeat failures. Aftermarket cross-references include Dorman 907-728 and Borg Warner CSS1940.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2014-2018: Some 2014 and newer models may experience issues with the crankshaft tone wheel, which can cause codes related to cam/crank correlation. While P0345 is specific to the cam sensor circuit, an issue with the tone wheel can sometimes create confusing diagnostic symptoms. A TSB (14-007-21) was issued for the 3.0L diesel for a similar issue, highlighting that tone wheels can be a failure point on these trucks.