P0008 means Engine Position System Performance (Bank 1). The computer has seen camshaft and crankshaft positions drift out of their expected relationship on bank 1 by more than it allows, most often because the timing chain has stretched. 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 P0008 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.
P0008 symptoms
- Check engine light
- Rattle at cold start
- Rough running or reduced power
Common causes of P0008
- Stretched timing chain, guides or tensioner
- Cam phaser problems
- Low oil level or the wrong oil
How to diagnose P0008
- Check oil level and condition
- Read cam-crank correlation values for each camshaft
- Look for other timing codes on both banks
Can you drive with P0008?
Drive gently and plan the repair; a chain that jumps a tooth can damage the engine.
P0008 tips
Some GM V6 engines, including certain 3.6-liter engines, are known for P0008 and related timing codes when the chains stretch. Oil change intervals matter: neglected oil is a common factor in chain stretch.
Will P0008 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 P0008 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 |
|---|---|
| P0016 | Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A) |
| P0017 | Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B) |
| P0018 | Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor A) |
| P0019 | Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor B) |
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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