P0010 means Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1). The computer has found an electrical fault in the circuit of the bank 1 intake cam timing solenoid, the valve that sends oil to the cam phaser. 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 P0010 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.
P0010 symptoms
- Check engine light
- Rough idle or stalling
- Reduced power or poor fuel economy
Common causes of P0010
- Failed variable valve timing solenoid (oil control valve)
- Damaged wiring or a corroded connector at the solenoid
- Rarely, a fault in the engine computer driver
How to diagnose P0010
- Inspect the solenoid connector and wiring for damage and oil intrusion
- Measure solenoid resistance against the specification
- Command the solenoid on and off with a bidirectional scan tool and listen for a click
- Check oil level and condition first, and confirm the oil viscosity matches the specification
Can you drive with P0010?
Usually drivable, but the cam stays in its default position, so idle quality and power suffer. Repair it soon.
P0010 tips
P0010 is electrical, so unlike P0011 it is rarely fixed by an oil change. Oil can wick up the inside of the solenoid wiring on some engines and contaminate the connector; if the connector is oily, replace the solenoid and clean the connector rather than just reconnecting it.
Will P0010 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 P0010 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 |
|---|---|
| P0011 | Intake Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1) |
| P0012 | Intake Camshaft Position Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1) |
| P0013 | Exhaust Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1) |
| P0016 | Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A) |
Guides that help
- VVT solenoid
- timing chain and cam phaser symptoms
- low oil pressure
- crankshaft and camshaft position sensors
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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