P0020 means Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 2). The computer has found an electrical fault in the circuit that controls the bank 2 intake camshaft timing solenoid. 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 P0020 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.
P0020 symptoms
- Check engine light
- Rough idle or stalling on some engines
- Reduced power or poor fuel economy
Common causes of P0020
- Open or shorted solenoid
- Damaged connector or wiring
- Blown fuse feeding the solenoid
How to diagnose P0020
- Check oil level and condition, and confirm the oil viscosity matches the specification
- Check the bank 2 intake cam solenoid connector and wiring
- Watch commanded vs actual cam angle on a scan tool
- Test the solenoid’s resistance and operation with a bidirectional scan tool
Can you drive with P0020?
Usually short term; fix soon, because some causes (low oil, chain stretch) get worse.
P0020 tips
Before replacing the solenoid, unplug it and check its resistance against the specification; an open or shorted coil confirms it. If the solenoid tests good, follow the wiring back toward the computer for chafing near hot exhaust parts.
Will P0020 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 P0020 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 |
|---|---|
| P0010 | Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1) |
| P0021 | Intake Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 2) |
| P0022 | Intake Camshaft Position Timing Over-Retarded (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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