What's the difference between P0013 and P0014?

P0013 is electrical — the PCM doesn't see the response it expects from the exhaust VVT solenoid circuit. P0014 is performance-based — the solenoid is responding electrically, but the exhaust camshaft itself is sitting in an 'over-advanced' position that the PCM can't bring back. P0013 usually points to the solenoid or wiring; P0014 usually points to oil flow or the phaser itself.

Why does the exhaust cam need variable timing too?

On dual-VVT engines, the exhaust cam phaser is used primarily for internal exhaust gas recirculation — it holds the exhaust valve slightly open during the intake stroke at part throttle, which pulls a small amount of exhaust back into the cylinder to lower combustion temperatures and reduce NOx emissions. It also helps with idle stability and torque smoothness. When it fails, you usually don't notice big drivability changes, but you'll see fuel economy and emissions impact.

Can I keep driving with P0013?

Yes, in most cases. The engine will run on a default exhaust cam position and continue to drive normally — you'll see slightly worse fuel economy and maybe a slight increase in NOx if you're in an emissions-testing state. Don't ignore it for months, though, because the same root cause (dirty oil) that produced P0013 can also accelerate timing chain wear on chain-driven engines.

Will an oil change really fix this?

Sometimes — particularly if the engine is overdue for service or has been running the wrong oil viscosity. Even when the oil itself isn't the root cause, an oil change plus pulling and cleaning the solenoid screen often resolves the code without parts. Try this first on any VVT circuit code before paying for a replacement solenoid.

OBD-II trouble code

P0013: 'B' Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)

The exhaust camshaft position actuator on bank 1 has an electrical fault. The PCM is sending a command to the exhaust VVT solenoid and not seeing the electrical response it expects — usually because of oil contamination, a failed solenoid, or wiring damage.

Quick facts

System: Powertrain
Category: VVT / Variable Valve Timing
Severity: Medium severity
Drivable: Usually safe to drive short-term
Repair cost range: $60 – $1,200
DIY difficulty: Intermediate DIY

What does P0013 mean?

P0013 is the exhaust-cam counterpart to P0010. On dual-VVT engines — which are most modern engines — there's a separate phaser and solenoid for the intake cam and another for the exhaust cam. The exhaust cam phaser typically has a smaller authority range than the intake (often 25-30 degrees of timing change versus 40-50 for the intake), but it plays a meaningful role in emissions, idle quality, and torque smoothness across the RPM range. When the PCM commands the exhaust cam phaser to move and doesn't see the expected electrical feedback from the solenoid circuit, P0013 sets.

The causes are similar to P0010 but the implications can be slightly different. The exhaust cam solenoid runs on the same oil supply as the intake cam, so dirty engine oil causes problems on both sides — but the exhaust-side filter screen tends to clog slightly faster because exhaust-side oil is hotter and carries more contaminants. Stuck-shut or stuck-open exhaust phasers also have a more noticeable effect on EGR-style internal exhaust gas recirculation, which means a failed exhaust VVT system can sometimes throw downstream codes related to emissions or fuel trim that look unrelated.

Most P0013 codes resolve with one of three repairs: an oil change plus solenoid cleaning, a solenoid replacement, or addressing a wiring fault. Phaser-level repairs (replacing the actual cam phaser hardware) are rare and expensive because they require removing timing components. Before quoting a phaser job, a competent shop will exhaust the oil/solenoid/wiring path first.

Common causes

Dirty engine oil clogging the exhaust VVT solenoid filter screen
Failed exhaust VVT (oil control valve) solenoid
Engine oil pressure too low to actuate the phaser
Damaged or chafed wiring at the solenoid connector
Corroded solenoid connector pins
Sludge buildup restricting oil flow to the exhaust cam phaser
Internally failed cam phaser (rare)
Wrong oil viscosity for the engine spec
PCM driver fault (rare)

Symptoms

Check engine light on with P0013 stored
Slightly rougher idle than usual
Worse fuel economy than recent tanks
Engine feels slightly less responsive at low RPM
Occasional hesitation when accelerating from idle
May cause secondary codes related to emissions or O2 sensor activity

Diagnostic steps

1.Check oil level and condition. Dirty or low oil is the single most common root cause of any VVT circuit code.
2.Read live data and watch commanded vs. actual exhaust cam position on bank 1. A gap that doesn't close confirms the actuator isn't responding.
3.Resistance-check the exhaust VVT solenoid against the manufacturer's spec — most read 6-15 ohms.
4.Inspect the connector and wiring run for damage, contamination, or melted insulation.
5.Remove the solenoid and inspect its filter screen. A sludged screen is a strong indicator that an oil service plus cleaning will resolve the code without parts.
6.If the solenoid, wiring, and oil all check out, the next step is internal phaser inspection — significantly more labor-intensive.

Repair cost

$60 – $1,200

Oil change plus solenoid cleaning: $60-$120 and resolves a meaningful share of these codes. Exhaust VVT solenoid replacement: $200-$700 depending on engine layout — many transverse engines bury the exhaust solenoid behind the firewall. Full phaser replacement: $800-$1,200 because timing components have to come off. PCM-related repairs are rare and run $600-$1,500.

Estimate your repair

Run the numbers for your vehicle

Open the Repair Cost Estimator with vvt solenoid replacement preselected. Adjust labor rate and vehicle category to fit your situation.

Estimate your repair cost

DIY vs shop

This is an intermediate DIY job. It usually involves diagnostic steps, specialty parts, and some careful work in tight spaces. If you have the tools and a service manual or trustworthy video for your specific vehicle, it is achievable in a weekend. Otherwise, a competent independent shop will be faster.

Related codes

P0010 P0011P0012P0014P0015P0016 P0017 P0023