Timing and crank/cam sensorsGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Garage soon
Code P0365: camshaft sensor "B": circuit fault
What code P0365 means
The ECU cannot read a valid signal from camshaft sensor "B" on bank 1. On engines with variable valve timing on both camshafts there is a sensor "A" (normally the intake one) and a sensor "B" (normally the exhaust one) per bank.[1]
It is the "general" sensor circuit code: it flags the absence of pulses, so it points to an open circuit, a short circuit or a sensor that has stopped giving a signal. More specific faults have neighbouring codes: P0366 (range), P0367 (low), P0368 (high) and P0369 (intermittent).[1]
It is a generic code (P0), with the same definition on all brands.[3]
Original definition (SAE J2012): Camshaft Position Sensor "B" Circuit (Bank 1)[1][2]
Causes of P0365
From most to least likely, according to the sources.
- 1Open or short circuit (to earth or to positive) in the sensor's signal wire.[1]
- 2Cut return or earth wire on the sensor.[1]
- 3Faulty sensor that has stopped generating a signal.[1][4]
- 4Connector with corroded, separated or oily terminals, or harness chafed or heat-damaged.[1][4]
- 5Sensor badly fitted or with an excessive gap to the camshaft wheel.[1]
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on.[1]Engine warning light: faults that cause it
- Long cranking or, at times, inability to start.[1][4]Hard to start: faults that cause it
- Unstable idle.[1]Vibrations: faults that cause it
- Lack of power and hesitation when accelerating, because the ECU leaves the variable valve timing in a base position.[1]Less power: faults that cause it
- Higher fuel consumption.[1]Uses more fuel: faults that cause it
How to diagnose P0365
In order: from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.
- 1Read all the codes and the freeze-frame data. If crankshaft codes (P0335, P0336) or correlation codes (P0017) also appear, the cause may lie in the shared harness or in the timing.[1][4]
- 2Disconnect the sensor and check the connector: oil, sulphated or separated terminals, and chafed harness.[1]
- 3Check supply (on a Hall sensor, about 5 V), earth and signal with an oscilloscope while cranking: a flat trace confirms there is no signal.[1][4]
- 4Check that the sensor is properly seated and without excessive play relative to the camshaft wheel.[1]
- 5Replace the sensor only once the wiring has been ruled out: the code points to the wiring as much as to the sensor.[1][4]
Can I keep driving with P0365?
Garage soon
AutoDTCs rates it as moderate severity: short journeys are possible, but without a valid signal the ECU leaves the variable valve timing in a base position and there may be hard starting, loss of power or even failure to start.[1]
Documented faults related to P0365
Known faults of specific engines and cars, with their repair cost, the affected years and their sources.
Engine sensors: the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTIVP44 injection pump and air mass meter failureGerman Wikipedia documents recurring failures of the Bosch VP44 injection pump and the air mass meter in the early years of this engine. An owner testimony for this engine describes the pump being replaced at 192,500 km, at a cost the owner calls «prohibitive».
- Medium severityFrequency: Common2.0 TDIClogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorThe 2.0 TDI's particulate filter clogs if the car mostly makes short journeys, because it never gets to regenerate; sometimes the fault is just the differential pressure sensor. Cleaning it costs around €200 and replacing it, €800 to €3,000.Repair (garage): €800–€3,000
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 8vCrankshaft position sensor failure (TDC sensor)The crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH, or TDC sensor) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for the Clio II, the Kangoo I and the Dacia Logan I with this engine, with hard cold starting or stalling as the main symptoms. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
- Medium severityFrequency: Common1.4 and 1.6 16vCrankshaft position sensor failureThe crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for almost every generation with this engine, with hard cold starting, stalling or the car cutting out unexpectedly. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
Wiring, connectors and short circuits: the most serious faults by engine and car
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW N62 / N63Additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fireIn 2011 BMW recalled 5, 6 and 7 Series, X5 and X6 models built between 2007 and 2011 because of the additional turbo coolant pump: moisture, a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire. In 2012 there was another campaign for a crack in the pump, with a more robust version.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.3 TCeBlown fuel pump fuseOn the Renault Captur II and Clio V with the 1.3 TCe engine, a 20-amp fuse can blow and leave the car without an engine. According to L'argus, in April 2021 this fault still had no factory fix; the official service centre's diagnosis includes checking, and sometimes replacing, the catalytic converter.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalM264/M254Poorly tightened 48 V earth wiring in the mild-hybrid system (fire risk)Mercedes-Benz has issued several recalls (2022-2025) because the 12 V and 48 V earth connections of some cars with a 48 V system may be poorly tightened: resistance rises, the connection heats up and a fire cannot be ruled out. The official workshop checks them and repairs them if necessary in an hour or more.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.9 TDIUnit injector tappet wear and injector wiring damageOn the unit injector system, the tappets that operate the injectors can wear if the oil is not changed on time, and the injector wiring can be damaged by contact with oil, causing misfires or loss of power.
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonRover 75Seat SRS connector fault with airbag and seatbelt warning light onAuto Express warns that the Rover 75's seat SRS connector can cause the airbags to fail, and dealers were fixing it with revised connectors. The Dutch APK inspection puts the airbag or seatbelt fault warning among the most frequent defects across almost all series.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo GiuliettaShort circuit from badly routed wiring that can prevent gear shifting (KBA campaign, 2010-2015)Yes: according to Germany's KBA, on Alfa Romeo Giulietta cars built between 2010 and 2015 inadequate cable routing could cause a short circuit and, as a result, gear-shift failure.
Variable valve timing (VVT) actuator: the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalPorsche V8 and V6 (Cayenne and Panamera)Loosening of the camshaft adjuster boltsPorsche acknowledges that the fixing bolts of the camshaft adjusters on certain Cayenne S and Turbo and Panamera models built up to September 2011 can fail: noise, vibration, engine warning light and, in rare cases, stalling. There has been a worldwide workshop campaign since 2012.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonBMW N43/N46Wear of the Valvetronic and the VANOS solenoid valvesOver the years, the eccentric shaft or the actuator motor of the Valvetronic can wear and cause heavy idle fluctuations; the VANOS solenoid valves also fail over time, with similar symptoms and a loss of power. According to English-language Wikipedia, the 1.6-litre N43B16 does not have Valvetronic.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonM111Camshaft adjuster oil leak into the wiringYes: the magnet (solenoid valve) of the M111 camshaft adjuster can lose its seal, and the oil creeps up by capillary action to the connector and the wiring loom. Mercedes-Benz has the same repair cable as for the M271 (part number A2711502733), which is cheap to fit.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonM271Oil leaking from the camshaft adjuster solenoids into the wiringYes: the camshaft adjuster solenoids (magnets) of the M271 can lose their seal, and the oil wicks up to the connector and the wiring loom, and can even reach the control unit. Mercedes-Benz has a specific repair cable (reference A2711502733) that is cheap to fit.
Frequently asked questions
What does code P0365 mean?
The ECU is not receiving a valid signal from camshaft sensor "B" (normally the exhaust one) on bank 1.[1][2]
Does the sensor always need replacing?
No. It is a general circuit code: it points to the wiring at least as much as to the sensor, so check supply, earth, signal and connector before replacing it.[1][4]
Can I drive with P0365?
For short journeys normally yes, but with a risk of hard starting, less power and, on some cars, intermittent failure to start. It should be repaired soon.[1]
What is the difference from P0366?
P0365 indicates that the signal is not detected; P0366 that the signal exists but is inconsistent or out of range relative to the crankshaft.[1]
Will I pass the MOT with code P0365?
If the code has switched on the engine warning light, no: with that light on, the inspection records a serious defect, and on Euro 5 and Euro 6 cars the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection, similar to the MOT) also reads the OBD diagnostic system. Repair the fault before you go; clearing the code just before the inspection does not help either, because it counts as a serious defect.[5]
Not sure what is wrong with your car? Describe what you notice in the symptom diagnosis or see all fault codes.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- P0365 – Camshaft Position Sensor “B” Circuit Bank 1AutoDTCs · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
- p0365 Generic DTC: Camshaft Position Sensor "B" CircuitDTCSearch · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
- On-board diagnosticsWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
- How to Test Crankshaft and Camshaft Position SensorsAutoDTCs · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
- Desmontando mitos: ¿puede pasar mi coche la ITV con el testigo de «avería motor» encendido?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 March 2021 · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish