P0394 Bank 2 exhaust camshaft position sensor signal drops in and out (intermittent circuit)

Camshaft position sensor intermittent, bank 2 (sensor 2)

P0394 in short

P0394 means the computer saw the bank 2 exhaust camshaft position sensor signal cut in and out. On the 2018 Ford 5.0L, Ford ties it to low engine oil and the bank 2 exhaust cam phaser solenoid, not the sensor. Elsewhere check wiring and the sensor, and ask about a PCM update.

The engine computer reads a camshaft position sensor on each bank. P0394 is stored when the signal from the bank 2 exhaust camshaft sensor is intermittent, meaning it comes and goes rather than being absent all the time. FCA describes it as camshaft position sensor intermittent, bank 2 sensor 2, and TroubleCodes.net describes the same sensor.

An on-and-off signal often comes from a loose connector, chafed wire or a worn sensor, so wiring and connectors matter. But on some engines the sensor is not the fault. Ford says low engine oil level can set P0390 and P0394 on the 2018 F-150 5.0L, and tells technicians not to replace the camshaft sensors for these codes.

FCA has also issued PCM software updates that mention P0394 on several Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler models.

Most likely causes

  1. Low engine oil level or the bank 2 exhaust cam phaser solenoid (2018 Ford 5.0L)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford says the codes can be caused by low oil on 2018 F-150 and 2018-2019 Mustang 5.0L engines. If oil is normal and wiring is fine, the fix is the bank 2 exhaust VCT solenoid, not the sensors. This is one engine, so it applies only there.
    What would change this
    Rises on a 2018-2019 Ford 5.0L, especially with a low dipstick reading. Falls on any other engine or if oil is full and the solenoid checks out.
    How to test the variable valve timing (vvt) oil control solenoid

  2. Camshaft sensor, wiring or connector fault

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net lists a defective camshaft or crankshaft sensor, open or shorted wiring, and a corroded or fluid-soaked connector. An intermittent signal fits a loose or worn part.
    What would change this
    Rises if wiggling the harness or connector makes the signal drop out, or the connector is corroded. Falls if sensor, wiring and connector test steady.
    How to test the camshaft position sensor

  3. Engine computer software that needs an update (some FCA models)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    FCA bulletins 18-024-17 (2016-2017 Durango and Grand Cherokee), 18-103-20 (2018 Wrangler) and 18-059-16 (2011 Town and Country) reprogram the PCM and list P0394 among the codes. FCA also has a notice about replacing a camshaft sensor for codes including P0394.
    What would change this
    Rises if a dealer finds your VIN covered and the PCM is not at the latest software. Falls if it is already up to date.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

  4. Engine computer or programming fault

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    TroubleCodes.net lists a faulty PCM or programming error as a cause. It ranks last because sensors, wiring and oil are far more common.
    What would change this
    Rises only after wiring, sensor and oil level are cleared. Falls if the code goes away after those are fixed.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Check the engine oil level on the dipstick with the engine off and the car level, and read any other cam or crank codes with a scan tool.

    Low riskTool: dipstick, OBD-II scan tool

  2. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has a PCM update or a service procedure for P0394. Ford (2018 5.0L) and FCA (several models) have issued bulletins.

    Low risk

  3. With the engine off, inspect the bank 2 camshaft sensor connector and harness for contamination, corrosion or damage, and gently wiggle the harness while a scan tool shows live data.

    Low risk

  4. Have a shop watch the sensor signal on an oscilloscope while the engine runs, look for spikes or dropouts, and compare it at the sensor and at the computer connector.

    Best left to a shopTool: oscilloscope

    Warning:The test is done with the engine running and the connector probed, close to belts, fans and hot engine parts. Leave it to a shop.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Hesitation or reduced power, sometimes limp mode Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Poorer fuel economy
  • Engine ping or backfire on acceleration or deceleration

How to fix

  1. Check the engine oil level on the dipstick with the engine off and the car level, and top up to the correct mark if it is low.

  2. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has an open PCM update or service procedure for P0394.

Parts and cost context

  • Camshaft position sensor:Do not replace the sensors for this code on a 2018 Ford 5.0L without checking oil level and the VCT solenoid first. Labour varies; get a quote.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Ford

  • 2018 · F-150

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford says P0390 and P0394 on the 5.0L can come from low engine oil, then the bank 2 exhaust VCT solenoid, and not the camshaft sensors. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 2018–2019 · Mustang

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford bulletin 18-2360 covers 5.0L Mustangs that store P0390 and/or P0394. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • SSM 47441Status unverified

    MIL with P0390 and/or P0394, 2018 F-150 5.0L

    2018f-150 · issued · NHTSA 10144928

    Check engine oil level first, then inspect C1627, then replace the bank 2 exhaust VCT solenoid if nothing else is found. Do not replace camshaft position sensors.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • TSB 18-2360Status unverified

    MIL with P0390 and/or P0394 in the PCM, 5.0L

    2018–2019f-150, mustang · issued · NHTSA 10153930

    Service procedure for 2018 F-150 and 2018-2019 Mustang 5.0L vehicles that store P0390 and/or P0394. The summary does not give the steps.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Jeep

  • 2016–2017 · Grand Cherokee

    Supported by vehicle data

    FCA bulletin 18-024-17 reprograms the PCM and lists P0394 among its codes. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 2018 · Wrangler

    Supported by vehicle data

    FCA bulletin 18-103-20 reprograms the PCM for cam and crank sensor codes including P0394. Owners of 2012 and 2015 Wranglers also report P0394 with limp mode and, in one case, replaced sensors without a fix, but those are complaints, not repairs.

  • 18-024-17 REV. C (jeep)Status unverified

    Flash: powertrain diagnostic and system enhancements

    2016–2017grand-cherokee · issued · NHTSA 10121814

    PCM reprogramming. Changes camshaft and crankshaft sensor DTCs, including P0394, from one-trip to two-trip faults.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • 18-103-20Status unverified

    Flash: PCM updates

    2018wrangler · issued · NHTSA 10183099

    PCM reprogramming for cam and crank sensor DTCs including P0394.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Dodge

  • 2016–2017 · Durango

    Supported by vehicle data

    FCA bulletin 18-024-17 also covers the Durango. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 18-024-17 REV. C (dodge)Status unverified

    Flash: powertrain diagnostic and system enhancements

    2016–2017durango · issued · NHTSA 10121814

    PCM reprogramming. Changes camshaft and crankshaft sensor DTCs, including P0394, from one-trip to two-trip faults.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Chrysler

  • 2011 · Town and Country

    Supported by vehicle data

    FCA bulletin 18-059-16 reprograms the PCM and lists P0394. Whether it is still current is not verified.

  • 18-059-16Status unverified

    Flash: powertrain diagnostic and system enhancements

    2011town-and-country · issued · NHTSA 10141282

    PCM reprogramming for a long list of DTCs including P0394.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P0390The bank 2 camshaft position sensor B circuit is malfunctioning

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    P0390 is the circuit code for the same bank 2 sensor 2. Ford covers P0390 and P0394 together in one bulletin, so treat them as one fault.

All Ignition and engine position sensors codes

P0394 questions

Should I replace the camshaft sensor for P0394?

Not first. Ford tells technicians not to replace camshaft sensors for P0390 and P0394 on the 2018 5.0L, and one Jeep owner replaced both cam and crank sensors without a fix.

Sources and review

  1. TroubleCodes.net DTC pages (P0342, P0385, P0394, P0400, P0431, P0447; P0413, P0414, P0416, P0417 read but not used) — TroubleCodes.net
  2. NHTSA complaint ODI 11318621: 2012 Jeep Wrangler — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (consumer complaint)
  3. NHTSA complaint ODI 11424531: 2015 Jeep Wrangler — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (consumer complaint)
  4. Ford SSM 47441: Illuminated MIL with P0390 and/or P0394, 2018 F-150 5.0L — Ford / NHTSA ,
  5. Ford TSB 18-2360: MIL with P0390 and/or P0394 stored in the PCM, 2018 F-150 and 2018-2019 Mustang 5.0L — Ford / NHTSA ,
  6. FCA 18-024-17 REV. C: Flash: Powertrain diagnostic and system enhancements (2016-2017 Durango and Grand Cherokee) — FCA / NHTSA ,
  7. FCA 18-103-20: Flash: PCM updates (2018 Wrangler) — FCA / NHTSA ,
  8. FCA 18-059-16: Flash: Powertrain diagnostic and system enhancements (2011 Town and Country) — FCA / NHTSA ,
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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