code 341

[bills33]

i got a error code 341 from my scaner. It said the car camshaft sensor had bad reading.

My manual did not mention the sensor at all.

the obdII web site did not mention the code either

My car is a 99 sl2

Any help would be appricated.

[jegster]

As I understand the Saturns do not have a camshaft sensor and that the 341 code is an ignition code.

I also have a 99SL2 and have gotten the 341 code.

I was checking different components of my ignition and found that one of my coils towers were corroded so I replaced both coils and new plug wires and plugs in my car.

That fixed it for a few weeks when the same code returned and somebody told me to check the cooloant temp. sensor because they are plastic and can crack and start leaking and corrode the connector. Mine was cracked so I replaced that and the connector yet I still keep getting this 341 code so I'm not sure what to check out next.

Somebody did mention something about the crankshaft position sensor but I'm not sure on that one.

I don't notice any performace issues when the light comes on but it still makes me worry.

Somebody else had a 99 SL2 also and kept getting this code and the Saturn techs never could figure it out and along with some other problems he was having he ended up getting rid of the car.

I hope what I have said will shed a little light on it or maybe somebody else can give us a hand.

[ssicarman]

The -series cars do have a camshft position sensor. they are thet only car that I know of that uses the ignition system as the sensor. The system is able to sense whenthe 1-4 cylinder is firing and how many kv. Then (from what I understand) it compares this to the crank shaft signal and is able to tell if everything is kosher. It pops this code when it sees a problem with the 1-4 ignition cycle. It usually is a bad wire, bad coil or corroded coil towers and wires. If you're continually getting this code then there is a proble somewhere in there. It may be possible for the 2-3 side of things to cause this if they are bad enough. Why do yo think that Saturn sells the 1-4 plug wires as a set now? They want that end of things to be right.

So to diagnose this check all of the plugs, wires and coils for corrosion, opens or just not being up to par for operating. Oil leaking into the plug wells can cause a misfire and pop the code as well.

[wolfman]

It is actually a running arguement (joke perhaps) between myself and many Saturn techs about the existance of the non-existant camshaft position sensor in Saturn "S" series OBD2 cars. He is absolutely correct on the ignition 1-4 (cylinder numbers) being the culprit 99% of the time. Pristine coil packs and plug wires ESP where they meet the plugboots at the plugs and coil towers is the key place to look. Of note..my neighbor just had the "camshaft position sensor" replaced on his SOHC V6 Ford Explorer...and had the part to show me. If you really believe that Saturns have "camshaft position sensors", go to the parts counter and try to BUY ONE.

[jordanb69]

I hope someone can help, hopefully the WOLFMAN!!! . Okay, here's my deal. I have a 99' SL2 (manual) (58k).On the most humid/foggy day of the year, a week or so ago, I went to start my car (cold start on a warm day) and the Check Engine light came on. Each successive start attempt showed slight improvement yet still produced rumbling and stall. Until the 7th attempt when it barely ran while rumbling. I warmed it up for a few minutes and it ran just fine.
I have since pulled code P0341 and cleared it. The same starting problem continued so I have changed the plugs (found a tiny bit of oil on the thread for plugs #3 & #4, but all 4 boots were dry). Problem still occured. Next I changed the wires. problem still occuring. Now I'm at Coilpacks.
My question is: Will I be wasting my time dealing with the Coilpacks? Is this a Compression Problem perhaps??? Does increased chance of starting on successive attempts indicate Comprssion problem???
Also of note, since this problem has shown up, the car, after I get it running, runs much warmer than ususal. Temperature gauge is moving past 12:00 whereas it used to rest on the Cold side's line. Is this evidence of a problem with my coolant sensor? Thanks.

[AxeMan]

I've been down this road too with a 1997 SL1. Very intermittent P0341 TDC's. Replaced the plugs, plug wires (twice), cleaned the coil packs several times. I'm at the point where the next step is to replace the coil packs. The TDC doesn't cause a driveablity issue (rough running, stalling, etc) with this car and is a mere annoyance. The code hits once every few weeks or the car may go months with no code. I'd like to know too if replacing the coil packs will be a waste of time.

[jordanb69]

Hello AxeMan. You will find the following of interest:
I just changed the Engine Coolant Tenperature Sensor (ECTS).
The little ******* had a hairline fracture in the plastic head. I followed Wolfman's directions for changing it from another thread entitled "Changing The ECTS" in the Tech Talk area.
Anyway, I put it in and attempted to start my 99'SL/2 58,000(Manual), which had consistently required 7 tries and had put out a P0341 (Service engine soon) error with the first failed start...
VOILA! It started on the first attempt with no troubles. It didn't even hesitate when I hit the gas a bit. Test-drive was successful also.
My thanks to all of the great members of these forums (especially Saturn-EH) without whom I would've likely been taken to the cleaners at the "Stealership".
By the way, I had not previously mentioned that my gas mileage was on a steady downtrend over the last year and more (I am relentless on tire pressure check). I had thought it disapointing but likely normal ... I'd never checked into it How much money have we all lost due to wasted fuel due to the ECTS? How much have we damaged our Catalytic Converters over time due to running too rich a mixture (am I accurate on this point?)????
IMHO Satty owners who have the original, plastic headed, ECTS, should probably change their ECTS to the new, brass headed, ECTS as preventative maintence!
Shouldn't there have been a recall on the little plastic bugger in the first place Two weeks ago, I almost couldn't get out of the Shea Stadium, Queens NY parking lot @ 1:00 a.m. after a late night tennis match next door, when I needed to get home to the Jersey shore.
I will update this thread about any change in my gas mileage that had been recently around 30 m.p.g.

Thanks again,
Jordan

[jordanb69]

AxeMan, I forgot to mention that I did a spark plug test and found that my Plugs, Wires, and Coil Packs seemedjust fine. That's when I went for the ECTS.
I suggest you look up about how to perform a spark test.
I bet it's your ECTS that's causing the puter to throw the P0341. Seems that was the case with mine.

[AxeMan]

Originally posted by jordanb69
AxeMan, I forgot to mention that I did a spark plug test and found that my Plugs, Wires, and Coil Packs seemedjust fine. That's when I went for the ECTS.
I suggest you look up about how to perform a spark test.
I bet it's your ECTS that's causing the puter to throw the P0341. Seems that was the case with mine.

It's not the ECTS. It's been replaced with the upgraded brass unit.