P0014

What it means

P0014 means the engine control unit has found that the B camshaft on bank 1 is further advanced than commanded. 'B' is normally the exhaust camshaft, but which camshaft that is depends on the engine. The ECU compares the camshaft position sensor signal with the crankshaft signal and sets the code when the measured cam angle does not match the target, or the variable timing system does not respond as expected.

Symptoms

• Engine warning light on
• Rough or unstable idle
• Hesitation or reduced power
• Poor fuel economy
• Rattling or ticking from the front of the engine on start-up
• Hard starting or occasional stalling

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 a blocked solenoid screenlikely
• Stretched timing chain, worn tensioner or guides, leaving the cam timing out of positionpossible
• Worn or faulty camshaft phaser (adjuster) unitpossible
• Faulty camshaft or crankshaft position sensor, or damaged reluctor wheelpossible
• Wiring or connector fault on the solenoid or sensor circuitpossible
• Incorrectly fitted timing after previous work, or an outdated ECU calibration where the manufacturer has issued an update for this faultrare

How to diagnose

1. Read all stored codes and freeze frame data, noting engine temperature, load and rpm when the fault set, then check for related cam, crank or oil pressure codes.
2. Check the engine oil level and condition, and confirm the oil in the engine meets the manufacturer's specification and service interval.
3. Inspect the wiring and connectors to the camshaft solenoid and the cam and crank sensors for damage, oil contamination, corrosion or poor pin tension.
4. Check the solenoid's resistance and operation against the manufacturer's data, and inspect its filter screen for sludge or debris where fitted.
5. With a scan tool that shows live data, compare commanded and actual cam angle at idle and under load, and see whether the actual value follows the command.
6. Check the cam and crank sensor signals and reluctor wheels for correct waveform and damage.
7. Listen for chain rattle on a cold start and check for timing chain stretch using the manufacturer's procedure, which varies by engine.
8. Check for a relevant technical bulletin or calibration update for the specific model and engine.

How to fix

• Correct the oil level and change the oil and filter to the specified grade if it is low, dirty or wrong.
• Clean or replace the camshaft phaser solenoid and its screen if sticking or blocked.
• Repair or replace damaged wiring or connectors in the solenoid or sensor circuits.
• Replace a faulty camshaft or crankshaft position sensor.
• Replace the timing chain, tensioner, guides and any worn phaser unit, then set the timing to specification.
• Apply a manufacturer calibration update only if one is published for this known fault.

Can I keep driving?

This code for other makes

• P0014AudiCamshaft 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

• P0013GenericB Camshaft Position Actuator A Control Circuit/Open Bank 1
• P0015GenericB Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded Bank 1