Stretched timing chain, worn tensioner or guides, or a jumped or slipped timing belt on bank 2; Low, dirty or incorrect engine oil affecting the variable valve timing actuator and chain tensioner; Faulty variable valve timing control solenoid or sticking cam phaser on bank 2; Faulty bank 2 camshaft position sensor or crankshaft position sensor; Damaged wiring, poor connector contact or interference on the camshaft or crankshaft sensor circuits; Damaged or incorrectly fitted reluctor or tone wheel on the camshaft or crankshaft; Incorrect timing after previous engine repair.

P0018

Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 2 Sensor A.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
High severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
0: Defined bySAE, the same on every car
0: AreaFuel and air metering, auxiliary emission controls
18: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P0018 is the generic code for a correlation fault between the crankshaft position signal and the bank 2 intake (sensor A) camshaft position signal. The engine control unit compares the timing of the camshaft sensor pulses against the crankshaft reference and found them outside the expected window. This usually points to the cam timing being out, or to a problem with the sensor signals or the variable valve timing control.

Symptoms

Malfunction indicator lamp on
Engine cranks but is slow to start or fails to start
Rough idle or misfire
Loss of power and poor throttle response
Rattling or ticking noise from the timing drive on start-up
Engine may enter limp mode

Possible causes

Stretched timing chain, worn tensioner or guides, or a jumped or slipped timing belt on bank 2likely
Low, dirty or incorrect engine oil affecting the variable valve timing actuator and chain tensionerlikely
Faulty variable valve timing control solenoid or sticking cam phaser on bank 2likely
Faulty bank 2 camshaft position sensor or crankshaft position sensorpossible
Damaged wiring, poor connector contact or interference on the camshaft or crankshaft sensor circuitspossible
Damaged or incorrectly fitted reluctor or tone wheel on the camshaft or crankshaftrare
Incorrect timing after previous engine repairrare

How to diagnose

Read all stored codes and freeze frame data, noting engine temperature, speed and load when the fault set, and check for related cam, crank or misfire codes
Check the engine oil level, condition and grade against the manufacturer specification
Inspect the wiring and connectors at the bank 2 camshaft sensor, crankshaft sensor and VVT solenoid for damage, oil contamination or poor contact
Use live data to compare the commanded and actual cam angle on bank 2 and look for large or erratic deviation
Check the cam and crank sensor signals with a scope to confirm clean, correctly timed waveforms
Test the VVT solenoid resistance and operation, and inspect the screen for debris, following the model-specific procedure
Check the cam timing against the manufacturer marks, or measure chain stretch where the model allows; the method depends on the engine
Inspect the reluctor or tone wheels for damage or movement where access allows

How to fix

Correct the oil level and change the oil and filter to the specified grade if it is low or degraded
Replace the faulty camshaft or crankshaft position sensor and repair any damaged wiring or connectors
Replace the VVT solenoid or clean its screen, or replace the cam phaser if it is sticking or worn
Replace the timing chain, tensioner and guides, or the timing belt and associated parts, and set the timing to specification
Replace a damaged reluctor wheel and re-time the engine
Apply a manufacturer software update only if one is published for a known calibration cause on that model

Can I keep driving?

High severity

Avoid driving beyond what is needed to get the car to a workshop. Incorrect cam timing can cause poor running and, on some engines, severe internal damage if a chain or belt has slipped.

Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.