P05CD

What it means

P05CD is the generic code for cold start A camshaft position timing performance on bank 2. During the cold start strategy, the engine control unit compared the commanded camshaft timing with the actual position reported by the camshaft and crankshaft sensors and found the cam was not reaching or holding the target. The exact camshaft involved (intake or exhaust) and the cold start conditions that apply depend on the engine.

Symptoms

• Engine warning light on
• Rough or unstable idle just after a cold start
• Hesitation or reduced power when cold
• Rattle or ticking from the top of the engine on start-up
• Poor fuel economy
• Longer cranking or occasional hard starting

Possible causes

• Low, dirty or degraded engine oil, or the wrong grade, affecting the cam phaser operationlikely
• Faulty or sticking camshaft phaser actuator (oil control solenoid) on bank 2likely
• Blocked oil control solenoid screen or restricted oil passages to the phaserpossible
• Wiring or connector fault on the bank 2 solenoid or camshaft position sensor circuitpossible
• Stretched timing chain or worn tensioner or guides, giving incorrect cam timingpossible
• Faulty camshaft or crankshaft position sensor giving a poor signalpossible
• Worn or faulty cam phaser unit, or an outdated engine control unit calibration where the manufacturer has issued an updaterare

How to diagnose

1. Read all stored and pending codes and the freeze frame data, noting engine temperature, oil temperature and load when the fault set
2. Check the engine oil level, condition and grade against the manufacturer specification, and look for sludge or signs of overdue servicing
3. Inspect the wiring and connectors to the bank 2 camshaft solenoid and camshaft position sensor for damage, corrosion, oil contamination or chafing
4. Compare commanded and actual cam timing on a scan tool at cold start and warm, and look for other cam timing codes on either bank
5. Test the solenoid resistance and operation against the manufacturer data, and remove it to inspect the screen for debris
6. Check the camshaft and crankshaft sensor signals and correlation using a scope or the scan tool's live data
7. Check for timing chain stretch by looking at the cam/crank correlation data, listening for rattle, and inspecting as the manufacturer procedure directs
8. Check for any technical service bulletins or calibration updates for the specific engine

How to fix

• Change the oil and filter to the correct specification and grade, and correct the oil level
• Replace the faulty bank 2 camshaft solenoid, or clean or replace its screen if blocked
• Repair or replace damaged wiring or connectors in the solenoid or sensor circuit
• Replace a faulty camshaft or crankshaft position sensor
• Replace the timing chain, tensioner, guides and phaser as needed if worn, following the manufacturer procedure
• Apply an updated engine control unit calibration only if the manufacturer lists it as the fix for this fault

Can I keep driving?

Nearby codes

• P05CCGenericCold Start A Camshaft Position Timing Performance Bank 1
• P05CEGenericCold Start B Camshaft Position Timing Performance Bank 1