P0010 – A Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit/Open (Bank 1)

Last updated: May 9, 2026

Bank 1 intake camshaft variable valve timing (VVT) actuator circuit is open or has an electrical fault. The PCM cannot drive the oil control solenoid that advances or retards the intake cam.

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P0010 Quick Answer

Bank 1 intake camshaft variable valve timing (VVT) actuator circuit is open or has an electrical fault. The PCM cannot drive the oil control solenoid that advances or retards the intake cam. The first thing to check is engine oil level, condition, and viscosity — many P001-range faults are oil-driven before they are electrical.

What Does P0010 Mean?

A Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit/Open (Bank 1). Bank 1 intake camshaft variable valve timing (VVT) actuator circuit is open or has an electrical fault. The PCM cannot drive the oil control solenoid that advances or retards the intake cam.

Symptoms

• Check engine light
• Rough idle or lumpy idle quality
• Slight loss of power or hesitation under load
• Sometimes a faint ticking from the cam phaser if oil pressure is marginal
• Possible related codes: P0011 / P0012 / P0014 if VVT is also failing mechanically

Common Causes

• Failed VVT (camshaft position) oil control solenoid on bank 1 intake
• Open or shorted wiring in the solenoid control circuit
• Connector corrosion or backed-out terminal at the solenoid
• Restricted oil passage to the VVT actuator (sludge, infrequent oil changes)
• Low engine oil level or wrong viscosity disabling VVT operation
• PCM driver failure (rare; verify wiring first)

Diagnosis Steps

You’ll need a scan tool capable of reading live powertrain data, a digital multimeter, and access to the wiring diagram for the specific platform.

1. Confirm oil level and condition before electrical testing — low or degraded oil disables most VVT systems and triggers P0010 indirectly.
2. Read live data: actual cam phase angle vs commanded phase angle. A circuit-only fault shows commanded phase moving but actual phase pinned.
3. Disconnect the bank 1 intake VVT solenoid. With key on engine off, back-probe the connector and measure resistance across the two solenoid terminals — typical 6–14 ohms (verify against the service manual).
4. Check the harness side: 12 V on one pin (key on) and the PCM driver pulling the other pin to ground when commanded.
5. Inspect the connector for oil contamination — VVT solenoids leak oil into the harness over time, wicking up the wires and corroding pins.
6. If electrical tests pass, remove the solenoid and inspect the screen for debris. Block screens cause oil-flow rather than circuit faults but coexist on high-mileage engines.

Possible Fixes

• Replace the bank 1 intake VVT solenoid (most common fix at high mileage)
• Repair the harness connector or pigtail when oil contamination is found
• Oil and filter change with correct viscosity if oil-related
• Clear codes and verify with a 10-minute drive cycle including idle and 2,500 rpm cruise

Can I Still Drive With P0010?

The vehicle will usually still drive with P0010 stored, but performance and fuel economy are degraded. The fault disables or limits the affected actuator, and the PCM may inhibit emissions monitors. Drive to a workshop, but don’t ignore the code long-term — VVT and EVAP failures often cascade into related faults if left untreated.

How Serious Is This Code?

P0010 is a moderate-priority fault. It will not prevent the engine from running but will affect drivability, emissions, and over time can damage related components (cam phaser wear, catalytic converter on EVAP-related codes). Address within a few drive cycles.