# P0013: "B" 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:** Exhaust cam solenoid or its wiring - **DIY?:** Steps 1-3 ## Quick answer P0013 means the engine computer found an electrical fault in the circuit for the "B" cam timing solenoid on bank 1, which on most engines is the exhaust camshaft. The exhaust cam timing then stays in its default spot. A failed solenoid or damaged wiring is the usual cause. ## What does P0013 mean? Many dual overhead cam engines can vary the timing of both camshafts. The "B" cam solenoid on bank 1, which controls the exhaust cam on most engines, steers engine oil into the exhaust cam phaser so the computer can shift exhaust valve timing. Adjusting it lets the engine keep a little exhaust gas in the cylinder to cut emissions, and it fine-tunes power and idle quality. P0013 is an electrical code, the exhaust-side partner of P0010. The computer monitors the "B" solenoid circuit whenever the engine runs, looking for an open circuit, a short to ground or power, or a driver problem. Many makers set it on the first trip the fault is detected. Under SAE J2012, "B" means exhaust, right or rear, so on most engines it is the exhaust cam, but check service information for yours. Bank 1 is the side of the engine with cylinder 1. ## What are the symptoms of P0013? - Check engine light on - Rough idle - Slightly less power and worse fuel economy - Car may fail an emissions test ## What causes P0013? Ranked from most to least likely. Check them in this order: the cheap, common causes first. 1. **Failed exhaust cam timing (oil control) solenoid** (most common). The coil inside the exhaust cam solenoid can open or short after years of heat cycling, and the exhaust side of the head runs hotter than the intake side. Unplugging the solenoid and measuring resistance against the factory spec confirms it. No continuity, or a reading far outside spec, means the solenoid needs replacing. 2. **Damaged or corroded connector or wiring** (common). Heat radiating from the exhaust manifold makes this connector and its wiring brittle over time, and a missing heat shield speeds that up. Look for cracked or melted insulation, burnt spots, a broken lock tab and loose or pushed-back pins. Wiggling the harness with the engine running can make an intermittent fault show itself. 3. **Oil inside the solenoid connector** (less common). A worn seal on the solenoid can let engine oil seep through its body and into the electrical plug, causing a poor or erratic connection. It is more common on high-mileage engines and those with a valve cover leak nearby. Replacing the solenoid and cleaning the plug, or replacing the connector pigtail, is the usual fix. 4. **Engine computer output failure** (rare). The engine computer powers or grounds the solenoid through an internal driver. A driver can fail, sometimes after a shorted solenoid overloaded it, leaving the circuit faulty with good parts. Because this is rare and costly to fix, a shop should prove the solenoid, wiring, fuse and grounds are good before repairing or replacing the computer. ## How do you diagnose P0013? 1. Read all codes; P0013 with P0010 at the same time can point to a shared power feed or fuse. 2. Find which solenoid is "B" bank 1 for your engine (usually exhaust) and inspect its connector. 3. Measure the solenoid resistance and compare it to the factory spec. 4. Command the solenoid with a scan tool and check for power and a switching ground at the connector. 5. Check the fuse that feeds the cam solenoids if there is no power at the connector. ## How do you fix P0013, and what does it cost? | Fix | Typical cost | What it involves | | --- | --- | --- | | Replace the exhaust cam timing solenoid | $150-$450 | Usually bolts in on the front or top of the cylinder head. | | Repair wiring or replace the connector | $100-$300 | Fixes heat-damaged or corroded wiring between the solenoid and the computer. | ## Is it safe to drive with P0013? > **Drive to a shop this week.** Usually safe to drive for a short while; the engine runs with fixed exhaust cam timing. Have it fixed within a week or two, and stop if the engine starts stalling. ## Will P0013 fail an emissions test? P0013 keeps the check engine light on, and an OBD-II emissions test fails any vehicle with the light commanded on. Fixed exhaust cam timing can also raise NOx output on vehicles that still get a tailpipe test. After the repair, clearing the code resets the readiness monitors, so drive normally for several days before going back for the test. ## After the repair: clearing P0013 Clear the code once the solenoid or wiring is repaired, then start the engine and let it idle up to operating temperature. Circuit checks like this one run constantly, so a lasting fix usually shows within the first drive. Confirm with a scan tool that exhaust cam actual angle follows desired, and recheck for pending codes after a week. ## How to prevent P0013 - Keep exhaust manifold heat shields in place to protect nearby solenoid wiring from heat. - Repair valve cover and solenoid seal leaks so oil cannot reach the connector. - Change the oil on schedule with the correct grade to keep the solenoid valve clean. - Secure loose harness clips so wires cannot rest on the exhaust manifold or hot brackets. - After any engine work, confirm both cam solenoid plugs are fully latched before closing up. ## Codes often seen with P0013 - [P0010](/codes/p0010): "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1) - [P0014](/codes/p0014): "B" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1) - [P0011](/codes/p0011): "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1) - [P0016](/codes/p0016): Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A) ## Frequently asked questions ### What does "B" camshaft mean in P0013? On most engines "B" means the exhaust camshaft. SAE J2012 defines "A" as intake, left or front and "B" as exhaust, right or rear. A few engines label things differently, so check service information for yours before buying a solenoid, because the intake and exhaust parts may differ. ### Can I fix P0013 myself? Often yes, if you can reach the solenoid and test it with a basic multimeter. On many engines it is held by one bolt and one electrical plug on the cylinder head. If the solenoid tests good and the wiring is damaged deep in the harness, a shop is usually the faster option. ### Will P0013 cause engine damage? Not usually; it mainly hurts drivability, fuel economy and emissions. The exhaust cam phaser falls back to a safe default position when its solenoid circuit fails. It is still worth fixing within a week or two so you pass emissions and the check engine light can warn you of new problems. ### Can I drive with P0013? Yes, for a short time in most cars. The engine runs on fixed exhaust cam timing, which may cause a rough idle and a small loss of power and mileage. Plan the repair soon, and stop driving if the engine stalls at idle or the check engine light begins to flash. ### How much does it cost to fix P0013? Most P0013 repairs cost $100-$450 at an independent shop. Repairing a heat-damaged connector or wire is usually $100-$300, while replacing the exhaust cam solenoid runs about $150-$450 with labor. Access varies a lot by engine, so ask for a circuit test before paying for parts. ### What is the difference between P0013 and P0014? P0013 is an electrical fault in the exhaust cam solenoid circuit on bank 1. P0014 means the circuit works but the exhaust cam timing is too advanced or not responding as commanded. P0013 points to the solenoid or wiring, while P0014 more often points to oil condition or a sticking solenoid. ### Why do I have P0010 and P0013 together? When both cam solenoid circuits on bank 1 fail at once, a shared cause is likely. Many engines feed both solenoids from one fuse or relay, and a common ground or harness section can affect both. Check the fuse, power supply and harness before replacing both solenoids at the same time. ### Where is the exhaust cam solenoid? It is usually on the front or top of the cylinder head, near the end of the exhaust camshaft, on the side closest to the exhaust manifold. On V engines each bank has its own. A parts diagram or service manual for your engine shows which one is "B" bank 1. ### Will a new solenoid fix P0013 if the wiring is bad? No. If the fault is in the wiring or connector, a new solenoid will not stop the code, and it will return soon after clearing. That is why the test order matters: check the solenoid's resistance, then confirm power and a switching signal at the connector, then inspect the harness. ### Will P0013 fail an emissions test? Yes, in most states with OBD-II testing, because any vehicle with the check engine light commanded on fails. After the repair, clearing the code also resets the readiness monitors, so drive for several days of mixed trips before retesting, then check that the monitors read ready on a scan tool. ## Sources - [SAE J2012: Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions](https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j2012_201812/) ## Other camshaft timing codes - [P0010 "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0010) - [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) - [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) ## Symptoms - [Why is my car idling rough?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/rough-idle) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0013 Updated: 2026-11-03 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.