# P0010: "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1) **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week Camshaft timing - Generic OBD-II code, applies to all gasoline cars and light trucks sold in the US since 1996. - **Typical cost:** $100-$450 - **Urgency:** This week - **Most likely:** Failed cam timing solenoid or its wiring - **DIY?:** Steps 1-3 ## Quick answer P0010 means the engine computer found an electrical problem in the circuit that controls the intake cam timing solenoid on bank 1. The computer cannot command variable valve timing, so the engine may idle rough and feel weak. It is usually a bad solenoid, a damaged connector or a broken wire. ## What does P0010 mean? Engines with variable valve timing use an oil control solenoid, sometimes called a VVT or cam timing solenoid, to steer pressurized oil into a phaser on the end of the camshaft. By pulsing the solenoid, the engine computer advances or retards the intake cam to improve power, idle quality, fuel economy and emissions at different speeds and loads. P0010 is an electrical code. The computer watches the solenoid circuit whenever the engine runs, checking voltage, current or feedback for an open circuit, a short or a driver fault. Many makers set it and light the check engine lamp on the first trip the fault is seen, though some wait for a second trip. "A" camshaft means intake, left or front under SAE J2012, and bank 1 is the side of the engine with cylinder 1. On an inline four or six there is only one bank. ## What are the symptoms of P0010? - Check engine light on - Rough or unsteady idle - Less power and slower acceleration, especially at higher speeds - Worse fuel economy - Engine may stall at idle in some cars ## What causes P0010? Ranked from most to least likely. Check them in this order: the cheap, common causes first. 1. **Failed camshaft timing (oil control) solenoid** (most common). The solenoid contains a small electric coil that is switched on and off many times a second. Heat cycles and age can open or short the winding, especially on high-mileage engines. A shop unplugs it and measures resistance against the factory spec; a reading of zero, no continuity or one far off spec confirms the part has failed. 2. **Damaged connector or wiring to the solenoid** (common). The solenoid sits on the front or top of the cylinder head, where engine heat, vibration and oil leaks attack the plug and wires. Look for green corrosion, a broken lock tab, pins pushed back in the connector or insulation cracked by heat. Wiggling the harness while watching for the code to reset can expose an intermittent break. 3. **Oil leaking into the solenoid connector** (less common). A worn O-ring or seal inside the solenoid can let engine oil wick through its body into the plug, and sometimes up the harness toward the computer. Oil changes the circuit reading and degrades the pins. Finding oil when you unplug it means replacing the solenoid and cleaning or replacing the connector, not just wiping it out. 4. **Engine computer driver fault** (rare). The engine computer switches the solenoid through an internal driver circuit. If that driver fails, sometimes after a shorted solenoid drew too much current, the circuit reads faulty even with good parts. It is the least likely cause, so it should be suspected only after the solenoid, wiring, fuse and grounds all test good. ## How do you diagnose P0010? 1. Read all stored codes and freeze-frame data with a scan tool; note whether P0010 is current or history. 2. Inspect the intake cam solenoid connector on bank 1 for oil, corrosion and loose pins. 3. Unplug the solenoid and measure its resistance; many read roughly 6-13 ohms, but use the spec for your engine. 4. Use a scan tool to command the solenoid on and off and check for power and ground at the connector. 5. If the solenoid and wiring test good, check the circuit back to the engine computer before blaming the computer. ## How do you fix P0010, and what does it cost? | Fix | Typical cost | What it involves | | --- | --- | --- | | Replace the intake cam timing solenoid | $150-$450 | Most solenoids bolt in with one or two bolts and are often a 30-60 minute job. | | Repair the connector or wiring | $100-$300 | A shop replaces the damaged plug or splices in new wire and seals it against oil and heat. | ## Is it safe to drive with P0010? > **Drive to a shop this week.** You can usually drive for a short time, but the car may run poorly and idle rough. Get it fixed soon, and stop driving if the engine stalls or the check engine light starts flashing. ## Will P0010 fail an emissions test? With P0010 stored, the check engine light is on, and OBD-II emissions tests in most states fail any car with the light commanded on. The code itself is not a readiness monitor, but clearing it or disconnecting the battery resets all monitors to "not ready". Plan the test for after the repair and a few days of normal driving so the monitors can finish. ## After the repair: clearing P0010 Clear the code with a scan tool after the repair, or let it clear itself once the fault stays away for several trips. Because P0010 is a circuit check, a fixed fault usually stays gone after the first few minutes of running. Confirm with live data that desired and actual intake cam angle now track together, and recheck for pending codes after a week of driving. ## How to prevent P0010 - Change the oil on time with the grade in your owner's manual so the solenoid stays clean. - Fix valve cover or timing cover oil leaks before oil soaks the solenoid connector. - Make sure the solenoid plug clicks fully home and its wiring is clipped away from hot parts. - Avoid pressure-washing the engine bay directly onto connectors, which can force water past their seals. - Use an OE-quality solenoid if you replace it; very cheap parts sometimes fail early. ## Codes often seen with P0010 - [P0011](/codes/p0011): "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1) - [P0013](/codes/p0013): "B" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1) - [P0340](/codes/p0340): Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) - [P0016](/codes/p0016): Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A) ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I drive with a P0010 code? Yes, for a short time in most cars, but expect a rough idle and less power. With the solenoid circuit down, the intake cam stays in its default, locked position, which protects the engine but costs efficiency. Plan the repair within a week or two, and stop driving if the engine stalls. ### Is P0010 a wiring problem or a bad part? It can be either, because P0010 only says the circuit is faulty. A resistance test on the solenoid tells you whether the coil is good. If the solenoid tests in spec, check the plug, the wires and the power feed next. Oil inside the connector points to a leaking solenoid. ### What is the difference between P0010 and P0011? P0010 is an electrical fault in the intake cam solenoid circuit, while P0011 means the circuit works but the cam timing is not where the computer wants it. P0011 is more often caused by low or dirty oil or a sticking solenoid valve. Both codes refer to the intake cam on bank 1. ### How much does it cost to fix P0010? Most P0010 repairs cost $100-$450 at an independent shop. A wiring or connector repair usually runs $100-$300, and a new intake cam solenoid with labor is about $150-$450. Engines where the solenoid sits under other parts cost more. A proper circuit test first avoids paying for a solenoid you do not need. ### Can I fix P0010 myself? Often yes, if the solenoid is easy to reach. On many engines it is held by one or two bolts on the cylinder head, and a basic multimeter can test its resistance. Keep dirt out of the oil passage. Tracing a broken wire deep in the harness is easier for a shop. ### Where is the bank 1 intake cam solenoid? It is usually on the front or top of the cylinder head, near the end of the intake camshaft, with a two-pin electrical plug. Bank 1 is the side with cylinder 1, and inline engines have just one bank. Service information or a parts diagram for your engine shows the exact spot. ### Will P0010 damage my engine? Usually not. When the solenoid circuit fails, the cam phaser rests in its default position, which the engine is designed to run on safely. You lose some power, smoothness and fuel economy. The bigger risk is that the lit check engine light can hide a new problem, so fix it rather than living with it. ### Can a weak battery cause P0010? It can contribute, though it is not a common cause. A weak battery, a failing alternator or a poor engine ground can upset solenoid circuit readings, especially at startup. If P0010 appears with several other electrical codes, test the battery, charging system and grounds before replacing the solenoid. ### Why does P0010 come back after clearing it? A code that returns soon after clearing means the fault is still there, often an intermittent connection. Check the connector for oil, corrosion or loose pins, and wiggle the harness while watching live data. If a new solenoid was fitted, confirm it is the correct part for your engine and for bank 1. ### What other codes appear with P0010? P0011, P0013 and P0016 are common companions. P0013 with P0010 can point to a shared power feed or fuse for both cam solenoids. P0011 or P0016 suggests the timing itself is off, not just the circuit. Read every stored code before starting repairs, because together they change the order of diagnosis. ## Sources - [SAE J2012: Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions](https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j2012_201812/) - [EPA: On-Board Diagnostics (OBD)](https://www.epa.gov/state-and-local-transportation/vehicle-emissions-board-diagnostics-obd) ## Other camshaft timing codes - [P0011 "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0011) - [P0012 "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0012) - [P0013 "B" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0013) - [P0014 "B" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0014) - [P0015 "B" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0015) - [P0016 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0016) - [P0017 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0017) - [P0018 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor A)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0018) - [P0019 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor B)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0019) - [P0021 "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 2)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0021) - [P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0340) ## Symptoms - [Why is my car idling rough?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/rough-idle) - [Why does my car hesitate when I accelerate?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/car-hesitates-when-accelerating) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0010 Updated: 2026-11-03 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.