P0011 – Camshaft position (CMP), intake/left/front, bank 1 timing over -advanced/system performance – TroubleCodes.net (2024)

Table of Contents

1. What Does Code P0011 Mean?
2. What are the common causes of code P0011 ?
3. What are the symptoms of code P0011 ?
4. How do you troubleshoot code P0011 ?
5. Codes Related to P0011
6. Get Help with P0011

What Does Code P0011 Mean?

In most cases if P0011 comes up it is due to lack of oil lubrication. The best way to rectify the situation is to apply an engine cleaning product and do an engine rinse before re-installing a new VCT/VVT solenoid. If that is not done you will have near future failure of the new VCT/VVT solenoid. It is very important to note in the new VCT/VVT engines they are very susceptible to lower cost oils. You need to purchase high end oils in order to have a longer lasting camshaft oil timing system. You definitely get what you pay for in this case.

• Bank 1 or bank A VVT or VCT solenoid failure. Different manufactures use these terms but both systems are the same.
• VVT- Variable Valve Timing
• VCT- Variable Camshaft timing
• You have an intake camshaft solenoid error usually. Not manufacturer specific, is a generic code.
• Bank A or bank 1 if a 4 cylinder engine. Depending on the type of engine if you have two banks then will have a bank 2 error. Then go into a P0021 code situation.

What are the common causes of code P0011 ?

• Why did the solenoid fail? It is usually from an oil maintenance problem

• Poor choice of oil product for this particular engine- causes carbon build up in the VCT engines and will produce small ball like substance (carbon build up). This was not seen before VVT engines were introduced. This is what causes the filter blockage of the solenoid and causes it to fail and potential engine failure.

What are the symptoms of code P0011 ?

• Loss of gas mileage
• Engine stalling
• Possibly engine failure
• Engine contamination
• If the actual solenoid does fail this will cause a retardation of the intake valve operation
• Check engine light will appear
• Possibly camshaft failure due to lack of lubrication

How do you troubleshoot code P0011 ?

• Use a multi meter (DVOM) and take resistance. Source wiring diagram from All Data DIY.
• As a general rule- every terminal needs to be checked fora solenoid failure. If it does not have a 7-12 ohm on the multi meter, it is most likely failed. Always pin test from the valve solenoid to PCM or ECM.
• Pin test means you must check continuity in the wiring harness between the actual valve solenoid and the brain (computer pcm/ecm)
• While pin testing in back probe, wiggle test all related harnesses and observe readings on vault meter/multi meter
• Check all engine grounds
• Also, clean and tighten every harness terminals from the valve solenoid to the pcm. The integrity of those contacts must be tightly mated and lubricated with grease to make sure full electric contact is present. The misdiagnosed problem is engine vibration which will loosen the harness connecters because most variable cam shaft timing systems rely on high revolution engines. So, any loose wiring or connections may cause this code. It does not mean the actual valve is a problem.
  • First check the resistance of the actual valve. Most only have two terminals, will likely present 7-12 oms.
  • Often the exhaust camshaft valve solenoid will be the issue, so interchange the two valves one for another and clearing codes.
  • If the code changes to the exhaust then it isP0014
  • The intake and the exhaust solenoid will have the same type of connection and are interchangeable. Try interchanging one solenoid for the other. If after erasing all present codes, a different code comes back, then you have essentially eliminated the actual valve solenoid and have saved hours of diagnostic work. By interchanging most times if one code changes to the other, you can got your parts guy and ask for the valve solenoid.
• The failureof the solenoid VVC or VCT is usually due to oil blockage from the screen/filter.

P0171, P0174, P0014, P0021, P0024

Type B codes- will erase itself without a scanner.

Type A code there is something else.

P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0335, P0336, P0338, P0341, P0342, P0343, P0346, P0347, P0348, P0366, P0367, P068, P091, P092, P093, P0521, P0522, P0523

If these codes show it is unlikely to bethe valve

If the initial P0011 sets and other codes are present then erase all codes and do five camshaft drive cycles and then re-investigate which codes come back. If any of these codes are present disregard and erase. If they come back it is electrical wiring or connection failure.

PCM/ECM has a particular algorithm to follow. If the valve does not respond to the criteria of the computer, it will recognize the algorithm. So, usually when the P0011 code shows it is failure due to lack of maintenance.

Most P0011 codes are almost always a result of bad oil changes and lack of car maintenance in regards to engine lubrication.

Help Us Help You

Please comment below describing your issue as well as the specifics of your vehicle (make, model, year, miles, and engine). To get a detailed, expedited response from a mechanic, please make a $9.99 donation via the payment button below.