P0023 means Exhaust Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 2). The computer has found an electrical fault in the circuit of the exhaust cam timing control solenoid on bank 2. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0023 means
The engine computer uses the crankshaft position sensor to know engine speed and piston position, and the camshaft sensors to know which stroke each cylinder is on. On engines with variable valve timing, oil-driven cam phasers rotate the camshafts relative to the crankshaft under the control of solenoids. Timing codes come from a sensor that cannot be read, or from a measured cam angle that does not match the commanded one, so oil level and condition, sensor signals and mechanical timing all need checking.
P0023 symptoms
- Check engine light
- Rough idle
- Reduced power or poor fuel economy
Common causes of P0023
- Failed cam timing solenoid
- Wiring or connector fault to the solenoid
- Engine computer driver fault
How to diagnose P0023
- Inspect the solenoid connector
- Measure solenoid resistance against specification
- Check the control and power circuits
Can you drive with P0023?
Usually for short trips, but have it fixed soon to avoid poor running.
P0023 tips
If the solenoid resistance is out of range, replace it; if not, follow the wiring back to the engine computer and check for chafing.
Will P0023 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0023 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0013 | Exhaust Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1) |
| P0020 | Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 2) |
| P0024 | Exhaust Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 2) |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
If a stretched chain has already jumped time and damaged valves, or low oil pressure has worn the engine, a repair can cost more than a replacement; see engine replacement cost and compare engines by code on our engines page.
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