P0366 code meaning
Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Range/Performance Bank 1
Powertrain system Generic code P03xx codes Check engine light
What P0366 means
Camshaft position sensor B is the exhaust camshaft sensor (bank 1 = side with cylinder 1), usually a Hall sensor on the exhaust cam phaser. P0366 means its pulses arrive, but their number or position does not fit the crankshaft. GM expects 400 pulses per 100 engine cycles and sets the code outside 398–402, or with fewer than 4 or more than 6 pulses in the first 12 reference events at start, 8 of 10 samples, after two trips. On GM's 3.6-litre V6 in the Saab 9-4X the exhaust phaser then goes to its park position and ignition runs from the crankshaft alone; on the 2.8 turbo V6 (LAU) the fault must last 1 s, or 10 s cumulatively, below 2,520 rpm. Saab's workshop information names a damaged tone wheel, play, foreign matter and too large an air gap. Ford uses the code too but publishes no thresholds.
P0366 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyEasy, DIY possible
- Typical labor0.3 to 1.5 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P0366
- Check engine light on
- Longer cranking before the engine starts
- Loss of power or rough idle (exhaust cam timing in its base position)
- Higher fuel consumption
Common causes of P0366
- Most likelySensor faulty or dirty (metal debris on the magnet)
- PossibleWiring close to ignition coils or solenoids, loose contact
- PossibleTone wheel on the phaser damaged or loose, air gap too large
- Less likelySensor or phaser wrongly fitted after timing drive work
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Camshaft position sensor exhaustCamshaft tone wheelSensor wiringEngine control moduleCam phaser exhaust bank1
What each part of P0366 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 3 | Area: ignition system or misfire. |
| 66 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0366 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P0366
What does P0366 mean?
P0366 means "Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Range/Performance Bank 1". Camshaft position sensor B is the exhaust camshaft sensor (bank 1 = side with cylinder 1), usually a Hall sensor on the exhaust cam phaser. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0366?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P0366 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P0366 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P0366 is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P0366 to fix?
Difficulty: easy. A typical repair takes 0.3 to 1.5 hours of work. A careful DIY repair is possible with basic tools and a scanner.
Will P0366 clear itself after the repair?
After the repair the car has to complete a drive cycle (a mix of city and highway driving) before the test runs again. Until then the readiness monitor shows "not ready", which can fail an inspection.