# P0011: "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (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:** $80-$2,500 - **Urgency:** This week - **Most likely:** Low or dirty oil, or a sticking solenoid - **DIY?:** Steps 1-2 ## Quick answer P0011 means the intake cam timing on bank 1 is more advanced than the engine computer asked for, or it is not responding the way it should. Low, dirty or wrong oil is the most frequent reason, because the variable valve timing system is moved by engine oil pressure. ## What does P0011 mean? The intake camshaft on bank 1 is turned by a phaser, a small hydraulic actuator built into the cam sprocket. An oil control solenoid meters engine oil into the phaser to advance or retard the cam, and a camshaft position sensor reports where the cam actually sits. The engine computer compares the angle it commanded with the actual angle many times a second. P0011 sets when the actual intake cam angle stays more advanced than commanded, or responds too slowly, for longer than the computer allows. The test usually runs with the engine warm while the phaser is being commanded to move, and many makers need the fault on two drive cycles before the light comes on. Because oil pressure does the work, oil level and condition matter as much as the parts. "A" means intake, left or front under SAE J2012, and bank 1 is the side with cylinder 1. ## What are the symptoms of P0011? - Check engine light on - Rough idle, sometimes with stalling when coming to a stop - Hesitation or loss of power when accelerating - Worse fuel economy - Rattle or ticking from the front of the engine at startup on some engines ## What causes P0011? Ranked from most to least likely. Check them in this order: the cheap, common causes first. 1. **Low oil level, old oil or the wrong oil viscosity** (most common). The cam phaser is moved by engine oil pressure, so low oil, sludge or oil thinner than specified makes it slow or unable to hold position. Engines with stretched oil change intervals or many short trips are most at risk. Check the dipstick first, look at the oil's color and feel, and note when the last change was done. 2. **Sticking camshaft timing (oil control) solenoid** (common). Fine debris or sludge can jam the spool valve inside the solenoid so it cannot meter oil properly, holding the cam advanced. The coil may still pass an electrical test while the valve is mechanically stuck. Watching desired versus actual cam angle while commanding the solenoid, or bench-testing it, shows whether it really moves freely. 3. **Clogged oil screen for the timing solenoid** (less common). Some engines have a small mesh screen in the oil passage that feeds the solenoid. It catches debris to protect the solenoid but can clog after sludge builds up or after engine work sheds debris. When it clogs, the phaser gets too little oil to follow commands. Inspecting it usually means removing the solenoid or a nearby plug. 4. **Worn cam phaser** (less common). The phaser on the end of the camshaft can wear internally, leak oil past its vanes, or have its lock pin fail. It is more likely on high-mileage engines and those with a history of neglected oil changes. A rattle lasting a second or two at cold start is a common sign, often before the code ever appears. 5. **Stretched timing chain or jumped timing** (rare). A stretched timing chain or worn guides let the camshaft fall out of step with the crankshaft, so the computer cannot reach its target angle. This usually also sets P0016 or P0017, often with a rattle from the timing cover. Neglected oil changes speed up chain wear on many engines, so oil history matters here too. ## How do you diagnose P0011? 1. Check the oil level and condition, and confirm the oil viscosity matches the owner's manual. 2. Read all codes; P0016 or P0017 alongside P0011 points toward timing chain problems. 3. With a scan tool, compare desired and actual cam angle while commanding the solenoid; actual should follow desired quickly. 4. Remove and inspect the solenoid and any oil screen for sludge or metal debris. 5. If oil and solenoid are good, a shop checks cam-to-crank timing marks and phaser function. ## How do you fix P0011, and what does it cost? | Fix | Typical cost | What it involves | | --- | --- | --- | | Oil and filter change with the correct oil | $80-$150 | Clear the code and drive; if the oil was low or sludged this alone often fixes it. | | Replace the intake cam timing solenoid | $150-$450 | Replaces a sticking valve; many engines allow this without major disassembly. | | Replace cam phaser and timing chain parts | $900-$2,500 | Needed when the phaser or chain is worn; labor depends heavily on the engine layout. | Full price breakdowns: [oil change cost](/cost/oil-change), [timing chain replacement cost](/cost/timing-chain-replacement). ## Is it safe to drive with P0011? > **Drive to a shop this week.** Usually safe for a short drive, but top up the oil right away if it is low. Stop driving if you hear loud rattling or knocking, because a worn timing chain can jump and damage the engine. ## Will P0011 fail an emissions test? An OBD-II emissions test fails a car with the check engine light commanded on, so P0011 must be fixed before testing in most states. Clearing the code also resets the readiness monitors, and a car with too many incomplete monitors is turned away. Drive several days after the repair, then confirm on a scan tool that the monitors read ready. ## After the repair: clearing P0011 After an oil change or solenoid replacement, clear the code and drive with a fully warm engine through idle, city traffic and steady highway speeds so the cam is commanded to move. On a scan tool, actual intake cam angle should follow desired within a few degrees. If no pending code returns after several drive cycles, the repair has worked. ## How to prevent P0011 - Check the dipstick monthly; the cam phaser needs a full sump to move on time. - Change oil and filter on schedule, sooner with short trips, towing or dusty roads. - Use the exact oil viscosity listed in the owner's manual or on the oil filler cap. - Have ticking or startup rattles checked early, before a worn phaser or chain gets worse. - Never ignore a low oil pressure light; it affects cam timing control as well as bearings. ## P0011 by make | Make | What to know | | --- | --- | | Ford | Ford 5.4L three-valve V8s are known for cam phaser and timing chain wear that can set P0011, often with a ticking noise at idle. | ## Codes often seen with P0011 - [P0010](/codes/p0010): "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1) - [P0014](/codes/p0014): "B" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1) - [P0016](/codes/p0016): Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A) - [P0340](/codes/p0340): Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) ## Frequently asked questions ### Can low oil cause a P0011 code? Yes, low or dirty oil is the most common cause of P0011. The variable valve timing system uses oil pressure to turn the intake cam, so low, thin or sludged oil makes it lag or overshoot. Check the dipstick and top up with the correct grade before buying any parts. ### Will an oil change fix P0011? Often, if the oil was low, overdue or the wrong thickness. Change the oil and filter using the grade listed in your owner's manual, clear the code and drive normally for a few days. If P0011 comes back, test the intake cam solenoid next, then the phaser and timing chain. ### Is P0011 serious? It is moderately serious. The engine runs poorly but usually is not harmed right away, because the phaser can fall back to a safe position. If a stretched timing chain or very low oil is behind it, though, ignoring the code can lead to expensive engine damage. Diagnose it within a week or two. ### How much does it cost to fix P0011? Most P0011 repairs cost $80-$2,500 at an independent shop, depending on the cause. An oil and filter change runs $80-$150, a new intake cam solenoid $150-$450, and a cam phaser or timing chain job $900-$2,500. Start with the oil because it is the cheapest and most common fix. ### Can I fix P0011 myself? Often you can handle the first steps. Checking and changing the oil, then removing and inspecting the solenoid, is within reach of many home mechanics on engines where it bolts to the top of the head. Phaser and timing chain work needs special tools and exact timing, so leave that to a shop. ### What does over-advanced mean in P0011? Over-advanced means the intake cam is opening the valves earlier than the computer commanded. The computer measures cam angle with the camshaft position sensor and compares it with its target. If the cam stays too far ahead, or does not move back when told, P0011 sets. Oil or a stuck solenoid usually explains it. ### Can the wrong oil cause P0011? Yes. Many variable valve timing systems are calibrated for a specific viscosity, such as 0W-20 or 5W-30. Oil that is thicker or thinner than specified changes how fast the phaser moves, which can set P0011, especially in very cold or hot weather. Always use the grade printed in the owner's manual. ### Why does my engine rattle at startup with P0011? A brief rattle at cold start often means the cam phaser is not locking until oil pressure builds, or the timing chain has slack. Worn phaser lock pins and stretched chains both cause it. If the rattle lasts longer or grows louder, have the timing parts checked soon, before the chain can jump. ### What codes often appear with P0011? P0010, P0014 and P0016 often show up alongside P0011. P0014 with P0011 points to an oil problem that affects both cams. P0016 or P0017 with P0011 suggests a stretched timing chain. P0010 means the solenoid circuit is also faulty. Note every code before deciding what to repair first. ### Can a bad camshaft position sensor cause P0011? It can, though less often than oil or solenoid problems. The computer relies on the cam sensor to measure actual cam angle, so a weak or erratic signal can make the timing look wrong. Sensor faults usually also set their own codes, such as P0340 or P0341, which helps tell them apart. ## 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 - [P0010 "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0010) - [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) - [P0341 Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0341) - [P0520 Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch "A" Circuit](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0520) - [P0521 Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch "A" Circuit Range/Performance](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0521) ## Symptoms - [Why is my car idling rough?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/rough-idle) - [Why does my car stall while driving?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/car-stalls-while-driving) - [Why does my car hesitate when I accelerate?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/car-hesitates-when-accelerating) - [Why is my engine knocking?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/engine-knocking-noise) ## Repair costs - [Oil change cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/oil-change): $45-$150 - [Timing chain replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/timing-chain-replacement): $1,200-$3,500 --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0011 Updated: 2026-11-03 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.