P0341 on Acura: How to Diagnose & Fix
Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1)
3 Acura models · 4 documented issues · 2 critical · $400-$2,200 repair
P0341 on Acura by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
First-generation MDX models with the J35 V6 are prone to timing belt tensioner bearing failure and simultaneous water pump leaks when the timing belt service is neglected past 105,000 miles. The hydraulic tensioner loses pressure, allowing the belt to skip teeth and potentially bend valves on this interference engine.
Common Symptoms
- Ticking or rattling noise from front of engine on startup
- Coolant leak from water pump weep hole
- Engine runs rough after high-mileage
- Squealing noise from belt area
- Engine misfires at high RPM
How to Fix
Replace the timing belt, tensioner, water pump, and all idler pulleys as a complete kit at 105,000 miles or 7 years, whichever comes first. Use genuine Honda/Acura components or the verified AISIN kit matched to the year split: TKH-001 for 2001–2002 and TKH-002 for 2003–2006. Never reuse the old tensioner even if it appears functional. This is a critical interference engine — a broken belt destroys the valves.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- 2001–2002 AISIN TKH-001Fits 2001-2002
Verified repair component. Approved replacement: 2001–2002 AISIN TKH-001.
- 2003–2006 AISIN TKH-002Fits 2003-2006
Verified repair component. Approved replacement: 2003–2006 AISIN TKH-002.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.
Owner tips & cautions
- WarningThis is an INTERFERENCE engine. If the timing belt breaks, the pistons hit the valves and you are looking at a $3,000-5,000 head repair. Do the belt, tensioner, and water pump together at 100k miles — it is the single most important maintenance item on these engines.
Sources for this issue (2)
The signature second-generation TSX complaint. At cold start-up the 2.4L K24Z3 emits a loud metallic rattle or grind from the front of the engine lasting roughly 1-3 seconds, then goes quiet. The cause is a defective intake-cam VTC actuator whose internal lock pin fails to hold the actuator at the rest position while oil pressure builds, letting the actuator slap against its stop. Acura acknowledged this in Service Bulletin 10-024 'Engine Rattles at Cold Start-Up' covering 2009-2010 TSX L4 models, naming the VTC actuator (P/N 14310-R40-A01) as the cause. The same rattle occurs on the first-generation CL9 K24A2 (actuator P/N 14310-RBB-003) but is markedly less common there. Left alone the rattle itself is not immediately destructive, but it commonly appears alongside timing chain wear and is the leading warning sign of it.
Common Symptoms
- Loud rattle or grinding from engine for 1-3 seconds at cold start
- Noise absent once engine is warm
- Rattle returns after the car sits overnight
- Noise louder in cold weather
- Check engine light for cam/crank correlation in advanced cases
How to Fix
Replace the VTC actuator with the updated part. The bulletin procedure does not require full removal of the cam chain and associated parts, so labor is far shorter than a full timing job. Because a worn actuator and a stretched chain travel together on this engine, most shops inspect chain slack and tensioner at the same time and replace chain, tensioner and guides if slack is present. No recall covers this; it was a TSB repair, covered only under powertrain warranty when in force. Owners routinely report the rattle is worse on thin/extended oil-change intervals, so keeping to shorter intervals with correct-viscosity oil is a partial mitigation, not a fix.
Sources for this issue (4)
On the second-generation 2.4L K24Z3 the timing chain and its hydraulic tensioner wear enough for the exhaust cam to fall out of correlation with the crankshaft, setting P0017 (Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation, Bank 1 Sensor B). This is the downstream consequence of the same wear pattern that produces the VTC rattle, and the two are routinely repaired together. The K24 is an interference design, so a chain that jumps a tooth under load can put valves into pistons. Owners typically report the cold-start rattle first, then a check engine light and rough running months later - the code is the point at which the repair is no longer optional.
Common Symptoms
- Check engine light with P0017
- Cold start rattle preceding the code
- Rough idle or misfire
- Reduced power
- Rattling from the timing cover area under load
How to Fix
Replace the timing chain, chain tensioner and guides as a set, plus the VTC actuator, and verify cam timing marks on reassembly. Check for a clogged oil screen or degraded oil first, since low oil pressure to the tensioner accelerates the wear. Do not clear the code and drive: on an interference engine a jumped chain is a bent-valve repair. No recall covers this repair. Owners who catch the rattle early and replace the actuator and chain avoid the far larger bill.
Sources for this issue (3)
On the 2.4L K24 ILX, the variable timing control (VTC) actuator on the intake camshaft is not fully oil-pressurized at first start. The internal locking pin fails to hold the actuator against the sprocket, so for one to two seconds after a cold start the actuator rattles loudly against its stops - a hard metallic grinding or 'bag of bolts' sound from the front of the engine that disappears once oil pressure builds. It is worst in cold weather, after the car has sat overnight, and with stretched oil-change intervals. This is an all-K24-family pattern documented from roughly 2008 onward across Honda and Acura four-cylinders and it carries into the ILX's 2.4. It does NOT apply to the 2.0L R20 or the 1.5L hybrid, which use a different valvetrain, and merging it into a generic 'ILX engine noise' issue is the classic mistake on this nameplate.
Common Symptoms
- Loud metallic rattle for 1-2 seconds on cold start
- Noise worse in cold weather
- Rattle disappears once oil pressure builds
- Noise returns after the car sits overnight
- Check engine light with cam timing codes in advanced cases
How to Fix
Replace the VTC actuator with the updated revised-design part (Honda addressed the original design with a superseded actuator part number). The job requires removing the valve cover and gaining timing-chain cover access; budget roughly $500-$1,000 at an independent shop. The noise itself is not immediately destructive, but a failing actuator can eventually set cam timing correlation codes. Interim mitigation: use the correct 0W-20 grade, keep oil changes to 5,000 miles, and verify the level - low or degraded oil sharply worsens the rattle.
Sources for this issue (3)
P0341 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P0341 mean on a Acura?
P0341 stands for "Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1)." This code means the camshaft position sensor on Bank 1 is sending a signal that is present but doesn't make sense to the engine computer (a range/performance fault), often because it disagrees with the crankshaft position signal. The cam sensor tells the computer where the camshaft is so it can correctly time fuel injection and spark, and on engines with variable valve timing it also confirms cam phaser movement. When the signal is out of range, intermittent, or doesn't correlate properly, the computer flags this code, and you may notice hard starting, rough running, or reduced power. Causes are commonly a worn sensor, a stretched timing chain, or a problem with the cam phaser/tone ring. On Acura it is documented across 3 models: MDX, TSX, ILX.
What are the most common causes of P0341?
The most common causes of P0341 are: Failed or weak camshaft position sensor, Damaged or corroded sensor wiring/connector, Stretched or worn timing chain causing cam timing drift, Faulty variable valve timing (VVT) cam phaser or solenoid, Damaged camshaft reluctor (tone) ring, Low or dirty engine oil affecting VVT operation, Incorrect sensor air gap or installation, Faulty PCM/ECM (rare). The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0341 on a Acura?
Published repair estimates on Acura range from $400 to $2,200 depending on the model and root cause. If an issue mentions a recall or campaign, check your VIN with the manufacturer or NHTSA and confirm eligibility and coverage with a dealer.
Looking for P0341 on a different make?
View P0341 across all makes →Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.