# P0019: Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor B) **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:** $150-$3,500 - **Urgency:** This week - **Most likely:** Worn timing chains or bank 2 tensioner - **DIY?:** Shop job ## Quick answer P0019 means the engine computer sees the bank 2 exhaust camshaft out of step with the crankshaft. Like P0018, it only appears on engines with two cylinder banks. Timing chain wear is the most common cause, but a bank 2 exhaust cam sensor, a stuck exhaust phaser or a timing mistake after a repair can also set it. ## What does P0019 mean? A V6, V8 or flat engine with dual overhead cams has four camshafts, two per bank. The engine computer compares each cam position sensor signal with the crankshaft sensor signal to make sure the timing chains or belt still hold every cam in step. This lets it spot wear or a jumped tooth long before the engine stops running. P0019 sets when the bank 2 "B" cam signal falls outside its allowed window against the crank. Under SAE J2012, "B" means exhaust, right or rear, so on most engines this is the bank 2 exhaust cam. Bank 2 is the side without cylinder 1. Most makers check it at idle, with the phasers at rest, and light the lamp after two trips. P0017 is the bank 1 exhaust partner, and P0018 covers the bank 2 intake cam. ## What are the symptoms of P0019? - Check engine light on - Brief rattle or grinding from the front of the engine at startup - Rough idle or vibration while stopped - Hesitation and weaker acceleration - Lower fuel economy than usual ## What causes P0019? Ranked from most to least likely. Check them in this order: the cheap, common causes first. 1. **Timing chain stretch** (most common). Stretch usually affects every cam a chain drives, so P0019 often sets with P0018, P0016 or P0017. The pattern helps: all four together suggest a primary chain or overall stretch, while only P0018 and P0019 suggest the bank 2 chain or tensioner. High mileage and poor oil maintenance are the usual background, often with a cold-start rattle. 2. **Worn bank 2 tensioner or broken guide** (common). On engines with a separate chain for each bank, a bank 2 tensioner that leaks down or a cracked plastic guide lets that chain go slack and shift the cams on that bank. Pieces of guide found in the oil pan or the oil pickup screen are a strong sign, and they can also restrict oil flow. 3. **Bank 2 exhaust cam phaser not parking** (less common). Engines with variable timing on the exhaust cams can set P0019 if the bank 2 exhaust phaser will not return to its rest position. Low oil pressure, sludge or a failed lock pin are typical reasons. On engines without exhaust cam phasers this cause does not apply, which a shop confirms from service information. 4. **Bank 2 exhaust cam sensor or wiring** (less common). A failing sensor or a poor connection can shift or distort the signal enough to look like a timing fault. On many engines this sensor sits near the back of the head, where heat bakes connectors and turns wires brittle. Cracked insulation and oil seeping into the connector are worth checking before blaming the chain. 5. **Timing error after head or chain work** (rare). Exhaust cams on the rear bank of a transverse V6 are among the hardest to time correctly during head gasket or chain work. If P0019 appeared soon after such a job, a misaligned mark or a cam that rotated during assembly is likely. Check it before driving much, since valve-to-piston contact is possible on interference engines. ## How do you diagnose P0019? 1. Note every timing code present; the pattern across P0016 to P0019 shows whether one bank or the whole chain system is affected. 2. Check oil level, condition and service history, and look for plastic pieces when draining the oil. 3. Read bank 2 exhaust cam correlation or deviation on a scan tool at warm idle, and compare it with the other cams. 4. Scope the crank and bank 2 exhaust cam sensor signals to measure the actual offset. 5. Inspect the bank 2 chain, tensioner, guides and timing marks with the front cover removed. ## How do you fix P0019, and what does it cost? | Fix | Typical cost | What it involves | | --- | --- | --- | | Replace bank 2 exhaust cam position sensor | $150-$450 | When the signal tests bad and the timing is correct. | | Replace bank 2 exhaust cam phaser | $900-$2,800 | Often done along with the chain job, which shares most of the labor. | | Replace timing chain set with guides and tensioners | $1,500-$3,500 | The usual repair for stretch or a failed bank 2 tensioner. | Full price breakdowns: [timing chain replacement cost](/cost/timing-chain-replacement), [camshaft position sensor replacement cost](/cost/camshaft-position-sensor-replacement). ## Is it safe to drive with P0019? > **Drive to a shop this week.** Plan to have it checked within a few days and avoid long trips or towing until then. If the cause is a worn chain or broken guide, the chain can jump or break, which damages valves on interference engines. Stop driving if you hear loud rattling or grinding from the front of the engine. ## Will P0019 fail an emissions test? With P0019 stored, the check engine light is on and the car fails OBD-II emissions testing in most states. A cam out of time on one bank can also cause misfires and higher hydrocarbon readings where tailpipe gases are still measured. After the repair, the cleared readiness monitors need several mixed trips before a retest will be accepted. ## After the repair: clearing P0019 After the repair, clear all timing codes and compare the bank 2 exhaust cam correlation value with the other three cams on a scan tool. They should all sit close together and within the maker's range. Listen for startup noise over several cold starts, and drive a few days to confirm no pending P0019 returns. ## How to prevent P0019 - Change oil on time with the specified oil, since dirty oil wears chains and tensioners faster. - Look for plastic bits in drained oil; broken guide pieces are an early warning sign. - Never ignore a cold-start rattle on a V6 or V8; it often comes before correlation codes. - After head gasket or chain work, have the shop confirm all four cam correlation readings. ## Codes often seen with P0019 - [P0018](/codes/p0018): Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor A) - [P0017](/codes/p0017): Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B) - [P0016](/codes/p0016): Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A) - [P0021](/codes/p0021): "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 2) - [P0300](/codes/p0300): Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected - [P0335](/codes/p0335): Crankshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I drive with a P0019 code? You can usually drive gently for a short distance with P0019, but have it checked within days. The likely cause, timing chain wear, can get worse quickly once guides break. If you hear loud rattling or the engine runs rough, stop driving to avoid valve damage on an interference engine. ### What does P0019 mean? P0019 means the bank 2 exhaust camshaft is not lined up with the crankshaft the way the engine computer expects. Bank 2 is the side without cylinder 1, and "sensor B" is the exhaust cam on most engines. The usual culprit is worn timing chains, guides or tensioners. ### What does it mean to have P0018 and P0019 together? P0018 with P0019 means both camshafts on bank 2 are out of step with the crankshaft. That points to something the bank shares, such as its secondary timing chain, tensioner or guide. If bank 1 codes P0016 and P0017 are also set, a primary chain or overall stretch is more likely. ### How much does it cost to fix P0019? Most P0019 repairs cost $150 to $3,500 at an independent shop. A bank 2 exhaust cam sensor costs $150 to $450. A bank 2 exhaust phaser runs about $900 to $2,800, and a complete V6 or V8 timing chain set with guides and tensioners costs $1,500 to $3,500. ### Can a bad camshaft sensor cause P0019? Yes, a failing bank 2 exhaust cam sensor or a heat-damaged connector can cause P0019, although chain wear is more common. If P0019 is the only timing code and the engine is quiet, the sensor becomes more likely. A shop can confirm with a scope before quoting a timing job. ### Can I fix P0019 myself? Usually only the first steps. You can read codes, check the oil and replace an accessible bank 2 exhaust cam sensor. Measuring chain stretch needs a capable scan tool or scope, and replacing V6 or V8 timing chains often means removing the engine front cover, which is a long shop job. ### Does P0019 mean my engine has a stretched timing chain? Often, but not always. Timing chain stretch is the most common cause, especially with a startup rattle and other correlation codes. A sticking exhaust phaser, a bad bank 2 exhaust cam sensor or timing set wrong after a repair can also cause P0019, so confirm it before committing to a chain job. ### Is P0019 serious? P0019 is serious enough to address within days. The car may run nearly normally, but the most common cause keeps getting worse. A chain that jumps or snaps can bend valves on interference engines, turning a timing chain repair into an engine replacement costing several times as much. ### Why did P0019 come back after replacing the cam sensor? P0019 usually returns after a sensor swap because the sensor was not the cause. The timing chain, a tensioner, a guide or the exhaust phaser is more likely. Ask the shop to show you correlation values or a scope capture so you know whether the cam is truly out of time. ### What engines get P0019? P0019 only appears on engines with two cylinder banks, such as V6, V8 and flat engines, because inline engines have no bank 2. It is most often reported on chain-driven dual overhead cam V6 engines with high mileage or a history of stretched oil change intervals. ## 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) - [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) - [P0021 "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 2)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0021) - [P0345 Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit (Bank 2)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0345) ## Symptoms - [Why is my car idling rough?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/rough-idle) - [Why does my car shake at idle?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/car-shakes-at-idle) - [Why does my car lose power when accelerating?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/car-loses-power-when-accelerating) ## Repair costs - [Timing chain replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/timing-chain-replacement): $1,200-$3,500 - [Camshaft position sensor replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/camshaft-position-sensor-replacement): $120-$350 --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0019 Updated: 2026-11-03 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.