Damaged, chafed or corroded wiring between the control unit and the Bank 2 camshaft actuator solenoid; Loose, corroded or contaminated connector at the actuator solenoid; Faulty camshaft actuator solenoid with an open internal coil; Oil leaking down the wiring loom into the connector, causing poor contact or shorting; Low, dirty or incorrect engine oil affecting the actuator and its control; Fault in the engine control unit driver circuit; Outdated control unit software where the manufacturer has issued a revision for this fault.

P0023

B Camshaft Position Actuator A Control Circuit/Open Bank 2.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
Medium severity

How this code is built

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

What it means

P0023 means the engine control unit has detected an open circuit or a fault in the control circuit for the 'A' camshaft position actuator (variable valve timing solenoid) on Bank 2. In the SAE definition, 'B' is generally the exhaust camshaft, but this depends on the engine layout. The control unit sets the code when the commanded state of the actuator driver does not match the voltage or current it sees in the circuit.

Symptoms

Check engine light on
Rough or unstable idle
Hesitation or reduced power under acceleration
Poor fuel economy
Occasional stalling or hard starting
Engine running in a reduced-performance mode

Possible causes

Damaged, chafed or corroded wiring between the control unit and the Bank 2 camshaft actuator solenoidlikely
Loose, corroded or contaminated connector at the actuator solenoidlikely
Faulty camshaft actuator solenoid with an open internal coillikely
Oil leaking down the wiring loom into the connector, causing poor contact or shortingpossible
Low, dirty or incorrect engine oil affecting the actuator and its controlpossible
Fault in the engine control unit driver circuitrare
Outdated control unit software where the manufacturer has issued a revision for this faultrare

How to diagnose

Read all stored and pending codes and save the freeze frame data to see engine speed, load and temperature when the fault set.
Confirm which bank is Bank 2 and which camshaft is 'B' on this engine, using the manufacturer's information, as this varies by model.
Check the engine oil level and condition, and look for sludge or an incorrect grade.
Inspect the actuator wiring and connector for chafing, melted insulation, corrosion, oil contamination and bent or pushed-back pins.
Measure the solenoid coil resistance and compare it with the manufacturer's specification.
With the connector unplugged, check the supply and control wires for continuity, short to earth and short to voltage.
Use a scan tool's bidirectional test, if available, to command the actuator and check it responds and the control signal is present.
Check for any applicable software updates or technical bulletins for the engine concerned.

How to fix

Repair or replace damaged wiring and fix any chafed sections.
Clean or replace the corroded or oil-soaked connector and its terminals.
Replace the faulty camshaft actuator solenoid.
Fix any oil leak that is contaminating the loom or connector, then replace the affected parts.
Change the engine oil and filter to the correct specification if oil condition is poor.
Update the control unit software only if the manufacturer lists it as a fix for this fault, and replace the control unit only if its driver is proven faulty.

Can I keep driving?

Medium severity

Short, gentle journeys are usually possible, but power, economy and idle quality may suffer. Get it checked soon, as running for long with poor valve timing control can cause further problems.

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