I have a 2002 Chevy Silverado 2500hd 8.1s

Question

My truck has a code that is P0342 which I think is the camshaft sensor but not for sure. It turns over a lot and backfires and then I turn key off and try again then after awhile it will start and it uses a lot of gas. Was just wondering if it is difficult to change and if it is the problem.

Answer 1

P0342 Camshaft position sensor circiut low input

The hard to start condition and the backfire, kind of rule out the camshaft position sensor, If the camshaft position sensor failed for this particular vehicle it would use the CKP (Crank position sensor) and the engine would start. The reason for the long cranking time is the camshaft position sensor attempts to synchronize and looks for a increase of engine speed if there is no increase in engine speed it re-synchronizes. , this is one reason for the long cranking time. It would not cause a backfire. You should go ahead and change the sensor, if it is shorted internally it is capable of pulling its 12 volts circuit to go low. The problem with this code condition is that it is capable of suspending any other code condition that exist until this is satisfied.