Let me start by saying new member but have read alot of forums on here and will say good stuff at the least.

So vehicle in question is a 79 corvette with a 6.0 out of an 03 escalade. Got the motor from I guy I know and here Is the basics.
42lbs injectors
Isky cam RR527/212 114 LC
4l60e
Stock harness (condensed)
Stock Pcm (tuned for cam and injectors Wheatley tune)
Egr delete
Downstream O2 delete
Long tube headers

So I have never really had this thing running 100%. Like I said I got the motor from a friend that had it in his truck (no issues at the time of removal). After this last transmission swap (had some internal issues and ended up replacing it) I had it running and got the P0342 and 341 code. Camshaft low.voltage and circuit range/performance. I had a spare sensor laying around so I swapped it out. Reset the pcm and only 0342 came back. I then pulled the pcm and sensor connector to Check my wiring all three had good connectivity with no signs of breaks.
Car is hard to start at first but once it warms a little it's good. Runs rough and I get a backfire through the exhaust every now and then. I know the timing is off and I think it's the cam sensor that's the culprit (given the code) and it would make perfect sense. The engine also stutters when throttle is opened again I am guessing timing to be the culprit.
I have the basic tools and a scanner but no fancy diagnostics tools.
I know the pcm could be the culprit but I wanted to get some insite before I go that far I wanted to see what everyone thought.

This is last hiccup hopefully before I can get hot on the body work. Any help is appreciated

 

Cam sensor has nothing to do with actual ignition timing other than to tell the PCM to fire the plug at the top of compression stroke. The engine will run fine without the cam sensor signal. It can crank longer when trying to start without the cam sensor signal as the PCM will fire the plug when it think it needs to and if there is no start then it waits 180 crank degrees and fires it again. Once running it knows when to sync the plug firing. That's why it is hard to start sometimes. The actual BTDC timing is controlled by the crank sensor. I think you have other issues with the stuttering.

 

That makes sense. It has been a while I actually ran it up to operating temp and actually worked it a little. Plus the fuel could be an issue there as well. The crank sensor was replaced at the swap. And again wires show good connection with a multimeter. Just trying to figure out why I'm getting this code. I have heard some people say it could be loose cam bolts but I'm not sure how accurate that is.

 

Loose cam bolts can make the cam walk where the reluctor does not line up with the sensor. Here is the P0342 description for a 03 Escalade 6.0L and the schematic for the sensor.

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
The camshaft position (CMP) sensor works in conjunction with a 1 X reluctor wheel on the camshaft. The powertrain control module (PCM) provides a 12 volt reference to the CMP sensor as well as a low reference and a signal circuit.

As the camshaft rotates, the reluctor wheel interrupts a magnetic field produced by a magnet within the sensor. The sensors internal circuitry detects this and produces a signal which the PCM reads.

The CMP sensor 1 X signal is used by the PCM to determine if the cylinder at top dead center (TDC) is on the firing stroke or the exhaust stroke. The PCM can determine TDC for all cylinders by using the CKP sensor 24 X signal alone. The engine will start without a CMP signal as long as the PCM receives the CKP sensor 24 X signal. A slightly longer cranking time may be a symptom of this condition. The system attempts synchronization and looks for an increase in engine speed indicating that the engine started. If the PCM does not detect an increase in engine speed, the PCM assumes that the PCM incorrectly synchronized to the exhaust stroke and re-syncs to the opposite cam position. If the PCM detects that a CMP signal is constantly low, DTC P0342 sets.

CONDITIONS FOR RUNNING THE DTC

The engine is running.
The engine speed is less than 4,000 RPM .

CONDITIONS FOR SETTING THE DTC
The PCM detects that the CMP sensor signal is low for 1.5 seconds .

ACTION TAKEN WHEN THE DTC SETS

The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

CONDITIONS FOR CLEARING THE MIL/DTC

The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
The following conditions may cause this DTC to set:

Camshaft reluctor ring damage
The sensor coming in contact with the reluctor ring
Foreign material passing between the sensor and the reluctor ring
Excessive camshaft end-play
Wiring routed too close to secondary ignition components

 

Is the voltage comming from the pcm supposed to be a constant? I get a reading from the pcm but it fluctuates. I have not pulled the sensor yet to check the cam gear. Figured that would be my next step. Just trying to do my due diligence.

 

That should be a constant steady +12V.

 

2xls thank you so much for the help. Would the inconsistent voltage from the pcm indicate a computer problem? Also could it be one of the grounds comming from the pcm? I think there are 4 total.

 

Any luck with solving your problem?