P054C

What it means

P054C means the engine control unit saw the B camshaft on bank 2 sitting further advanced than commanded during or just after a cold start. The B camshaft is usually the exhaust camshaft, but this depends on the engine, so check the manufacturer's layout. The ECU compares the camshaft position sensor signal with the crankshaft signal and the target timing. When the difference stays outside the limit while the engine is cold, it sets the code.

Symptoms

• Check engine light on
• Rough or unstable idle on cold start
• Hesitation or reduced power until the engine warms up
• Poor fuel economy
• Longer cranking or a slightly hard start
• Possible rattle or ticking at start-up

Possible causes

• Low, dirty or wrong-grade engine oil, or sludge restricting the oil flow to the variable valve timing actuatorlikely
• Faulty or sticking bank 2 camshaft phaser or variable timing actuatorlikely
• Faulty or blocked oil control valve or solenoid for the bank 2 B camshaft, or a dirty screen in itlikely
• Wiring or connector fault in the oil control valve or camshaft position sensor circuit on bank 2possible
• Faulty camshaft position sensor or damaged reluctor or trigger wheel giving a wrong signalpossible
• Stretched or jumped timing chain or belt, or a worn tensioner or guide, altering the base timingpossible
• Outdated ECU software where the manufacturer has issued a calibration update for this faultrare

How to diagnose

1. Read all stored codes and freeze frame data, noting the coolant temperature, engine speed and load when the fault was set, and check for other camshaft or oil pressure codes.
2. Check the oil level, condition and grade against the manufacturer's specification, and the service history for overdue changes.
3. Inspect the wiring and connectors to the bank 2 oil control valve and camshaft position sensor for chafing, oil contamination, corrosion and poor pin tension.
4. Check the oil control valve resistance and operation against the manufacturer's data, and inspect the valve and its screen for debris. The procedure is model-specific.
5. View live data for camshaft target against actual position on a cold start and compare bank 1 with bank 2.
6. Check the camshaft and crankshaft sensor signals with a scope for signal quality and correlation, and inspect the trigger wheels.
7. Check the timing chain or belt condition and the correlation of timing. Use the manufacturer's procedure for the engine concerned, as access and tolerances vary.
8. Check for available ECU software updates or technical bulletins for this engine and code.

How to fix

• Change the oil and filter to the correct specification, and correct the oil level if it is low.
• Replace the faulty oil control valve or clean it only where the manufacturer permits.
• Replace the faulty camshaft phaser or actuator for bank 2.
• Repair the damaged wiring or connectors, or replace the faulty camshaft position sensor.
• Renew the timing chain, tensioner and guides, or the belt, if the timing is incorrect, and reset the timing to specification.
• Apply the manufacturer's ECU calibration update only if a known issue for this engine and code is documented.

Can I keep driving?

Nearby codes

• P054BGenericCold Start B Camshaft Position Timing Over-Retarded Bank 1
• P054DGenericCold Start B Camshaft Position Timing Over-Retarded Bank 2