P000C

What it means

P000C means the engine control unit saw the 'A' camshaft on bank 2 move to its commanded position more slowly than expected. The 'A' camshaft is usually the intake camshaft, but this depends on the engine. The ECU compares the commanded variable valve timing angle with the angle reported by the camshaft position sensor, and sets the code when the correction takes too long.

Symptoms

• Check engine light on
• Rough idle or occasional stalling
• Hesitation or reduced power, especially under load
• Poorer fuel economy
• Rattle or ticking from the timing drive at start-up
• Engine may enter a reduced-power (limp) mode

Possible causes

• Low oil level, degraded oil or oil of the wrong grade, reducing the hydraulic pressure that moves the phaserlikely
• Sticking or faulty camshaft oil control valve (VVT solenoid) on bank 2, or a blocked filter screen in itlikely
• Sludge or restricted oil passages to the camshaft phaser on bank 2possible
• Worn or sticking camshaft phaser (actuator)possible
• Stretched timing chain or worn tensioner/guides, so the cam timing is out of rangepossible
• Damaged wiring, poor connector contact or a faulty camshaft position sensor on bank 2possible
• Low oil pressure from a worn oil pump or worn bearingsrare

How to diagnose

1. Read the stored codes and freeze frame data to see engine temperature, load and rpm when the fault set, and check for related cam timing or oil pressure codes on either bank
2. Check the engine oil level and condition, and confirm the oil grade and specification match what the manufacturer calls for
3. Inspect the wiring and connectors to the bank 2 oil control valve and camshaft position sensor for damage, corrosion, oil contamination or poor pin tension
4. Use a scan tool's live data to compare commanded and actual cam angle on bank 2 and see how it behaves at idle and under load
5. Check the oil control valve resistance and operation against the manufacturer's specification, and remove it to inspect its screen and plunger for debris
6. Check the camshaft sensor signal and reluctor wheel condition, following the procedure for that engine
7. Measure oil pressure with a gauge if the oil and valve checks are fine
8. Check timing chain stretch and correlation of cam and crank timing using live data or a physical inspection as the model requires

How to fix

• Correct the oil level and carry out an oil and filter change using the specified grade
• Clean or replace the bank 2 oil control valve and its filter screen
• Clean or repair blocked oil passages, and replace the phaser if it is worn or sticking
• Replace the timing chain, tensioner and guides if there is excessive stretch or wear
• Repair damaged wiring or connectors, or replace a faulty camshaft position sensor
• Investigate and repair the cause of low oil pressure, such as a worn oil pump

Can I keep driving?

Nearby codes

• P000BGenericB Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 1
• P000DGenericB Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 2