My girlfriend's car throws a code saying that the camshaft position sensor is bad (0342). No parts places list a camshaft position sensor. What could this problem be? Also, it also has been determined in the past that there is a vapor leak in the fuel system. We have replaced the gas cap and the scanner still says that there is a leak of some sort pertaining to the fuel system. There are no visible fuel leaks anywhere on the car.





What could these problems be?

 

Possibilty of two issues; there isn't any cam position sensor but it implies that there is a misfire condition from worn plug wires, plugs, and corrosion on the two coils preventing a dependable spark. You'll have to remove the coils, wire brush the bare metal that bolts to the engine frame and the bolts too. Use dielectric grease on the bare metal parts, clean the coil towers and dielectric grease them too. At night you may see arcing from worn plug wires so replace them if necessary. The dielectric grease prevents future corrosion.


The leak in the fuel system may mean the evaporative emission control system that's operated with solenoids and vacuum. Without posting year and model its difficult to go any further but it may be electrical conections or vacuum related to cracks in the vacuum line.