P0076 means Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low (Bank 1). The intake valve control solenoid circuit on bank 1 is reading lower voltage than expected, often from a short to ground. 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 P0076 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.
P0076 symptoms
- Check engine light
- Rough idle
- Reduced power or poor fuel economy
Common causes of P0076
- Failed solenoid
- Wiring or connector fault
- Low or dirty oil affecting the solenoid
- Engine computer driver fault
How to diagnose P0076
- Check the solenoid connector and wiring
- Measure solenoid resistance against specification
- Check oil level and condition first, and confirm the oil viscosity matches the specification
Can you drive with P0076?
Usually for short trips; have it fixed soon.
P0076 tips
Check the solenoid harness for chafing against the valve cover or intake.
Will P0076 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 P0076 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 |
|---|---|
| P0075 | Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit (Bank 1) |
| P0077 | Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit High (Bank 1) |
| P0010 | Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1) |
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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