P0011

What it means

P0011 means the engine control unit has found that the intake camshaft on bank 1 is more advanced than commanded, or is not following the requested timing correctly. The ECU compares the camshaft position sensor signal with the crankshaft position signal and the target set by the variable valve timing system. If the measured angle differs from the target by more than the allowed amount for long enough, the code is set.

Symptoms

• Engine warning light on
• Rough or unstable idle
• Hesitation or loss of power, especially under load
• Poor fuel economy
• Rattling or ticking noise from the front of the engine on start-up
• Engine runs in a reduced-power or limp mode, or is hard to start

Possible causes

• Low, dirty or degraded engine oil, or the wrong grade for the enginelikely
• Faulty or sticking camshaft phaser control solenoid (oil control valve) or its blocked filter screenlikely
• Sludge or blockage in oil passages feeding the variable valve timing systempossible
• Worn or stretched timing chain or tensioner, or timing belt that has jumped a toothpossible
• Faulty camshaft or crankshaft position sensor, or damaged wiring and connectorspossible
• Worn or failed camshaft phaser (actuator)possible
• Low oil pressure from a worn oil pump or engine bearingsrare

How to diagnose

1. Read all stored codes and freeze frame data, noting engine temperature, load and rpm when the fault set, and check for related cam or crank sensor codes
2. Check the engine oil level and condition, and confirm the oil in the engine matches the manufacturer's specification
3. Inspect the wiring and connectors to the phaser solenoid and the camshaft and crankshaft sensors for damage, corrosion or oil contamination
4. Using a scan tool that shows live data, compare the commanded and actual camshaft angle at idle and with the engine warm, and note whether the solenoid responds when commanded
5. Test the solenoid's electrical resistance and supply against the manufacturer's data, and remove it to check for sticking, debris or a blocked screen
6. Check the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge if the oil level and solenoid look correct; the procedure and specification depend on the engine
7. Check the timing chain or belt for stretch or incorrect timing by inspecting the correlation between cam and crank signals or physically checking the timing marks; the method depends on the model and engine

How to fix

• Correct the oil level and carry out an oil and filter change using the specified grade
• Replace the faulty phaser solenoid and clean or replace its filter screen
• Clean or repair blocked oil passages and address any sludge build-up
• Replace the timing chain, tensioner and guides, or correct the belt timing, as needed
• Replace faulty camshaft or crankshaft sensors or repair damaged wiring and connectors
• Replace the camshaft phaser if it is worn or not moving as commanded

Can I keep driving?

This code for other makes

• P0011AudiCamshaft variable timing solenoid failure, Engine oil level is too low, The engine is not timed correctly, The engine oil does not meet the manufacturer's requirements, Variable valve timing actuator failure, Worn timing chain

Nearby codes

• P0010GenericA Camshaft Position Actuator A Control Circuit/Open Bank 1
• P0012GenericA Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded Bank 1