P0013 means Exhaust Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1). The computer has found an electrical fault in the circuit of the bank 1 exhaust cam timing solenoid on a dual variable valve timing engine. 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 P0013 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.
P0013 symptoms
- Check engine light
- Rough idle
- Reduced power
Common causes of P0013
- Failed exhaust cam timing solenoid
- Wiring or connector damage, including oil wicking into the connector
- Rarely, an engine computer fault
How to diagnose P0013
- Inspect the connector for oil and corrosion
- Measure solenoid resistance
- Command the solenoid with a bidirectional scan tool
Can you drive with P0013?
Usually drivable in the short term; repair soon to restore idle quality and power.
P0013 tips
Exhaust cam solenoids often sit at the front of the cylinder head where oil leaks from the valve cover can soak the connector. Fix the leak at the same time, or the new solenoid connector will contaminate again.
Will P0013 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 P0013 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 |
|---|---|
| P0014 | Exhaust Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1) |
| P0010 | Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1) |
| P0017 | Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 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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