Camshaft position sensor internal short to ground; Chafed or damaged sensor wiring harness rubbing against metal; Corroded or loose electrical connector at the sensor; Faulty engine control module (less common); Aftermarket alarm or remote start wiring tapped into sensor circuit; Oil or coolant contamination in the sensor connector

DTC codes / Volkswagen codes / P1337

P1337 · VolkswagenCMP Sensor Bank 1 Short To Ground

Q: What does code P1337 mean?

CMP Sensor Bank 1 Short To Ground. P1337 on Volkswagen vehicles means the engine control module has detected a short to ground on the camshaft position sensor circuit for bank 1. The computer monitors the signal wire and sees a constant low voltage instead of the expected pulsing signal, so it flags the circuit as shorted to ground.

P1337 on Volkswagen vehicles means the engine control module has detected a short to ground on the camshaft position sensor circuit for bank 1. The computer monitors the signal wire and sees a constant low voltage instead of the expected pulsing signal, so it flags the circuit as shorted to ground.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeVolkswagen specific

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaIgnition system and misfire

Symptoms you may notice

Illuminated check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms
Engine may stall or crank but not start if the short is severe
Rough running or misfire due to incorrect camshaft timing signal
Reduced engine performance and poor fuel economy
Intermittent hesitation or surging while driving

Common causes, most likely first

Camshaft position sensor internal short to ground
Chafed or damaged sensor wiring harness rubbing against metal
Corroded or loose electrical connector at the sensor
Faulty engine control module (less common)
Aftermarket alarm or remote start wiring tapped into sensor circuit
Oil or coolant contamination in the sensor connector

How to diagnose and fix it

Scan all modules for stored codes and freeze-frame data to confirm P1337 is active
Visually inspect the camshaft sensor connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, or oil intrusion
Disconnect the sensor and measure resistance from the signal wire to ground; a near-zero reading indicates a short
Wiggle-test the harness while monitoring live data or a multimeter to locate intermittent shorts
Repair any chafed wires with proper solder and heat-shrink, then clear codes and retest
If wiring is intact, replace the camshaft position sensor with a quality OEM part
After repair, verify camshaft signal on a scan tool and confirm the code does not return

Don't overlook the wiring harness

A short to ground can be caused by the sensor's internal electronics failing, but a chafed wire behind the engine is equally common and often missed during a quick visual check.
Aftermarket accessories like alarm systems or remote starters that tap into the cam sensor circuit can introduce a short to ground that only appears when the accessory is powered.
P1337 does not always mean the sensor is dead; the circuit can test fine at the sensor but short further upstream where the harness passes near hot or moving components.
On some Volkswagen engines, oil leaking from the valve cover gasket can soak the cam sensor connector and cause a short that mimics a failed sensor.
A short to ground on the cam sensor circuit can also set misfire codes and camshaft correlation codes, so always check for related codes before replacing parts.

Can I keep driving with P1337?

If the engine runs normally and only the check engine light is on, you can drive cautiously to a repair shop, but avoid hard acceleration and long trips. If the engine stalls, misfires badly, or fails to start, stop driving and have the vehicle towed to prevent further damage or safety risk.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for Volkswagen vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.