Timing and crank/cam sensorsGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Garage soon
Code P0010: camshaft actuator "A" circuit (bank 1)
P0010 means: camshaft position actuator "A": circuit fault (bank 1).[1][2][3] The ECU has detected a fault in the electrical circuit of camshaft position actuator "A" on bank 1: the solenoid valve of the variable valve timing (VVT) on the intake camshaft. Carista describes it as an open circuit or short circuit in that solenoid valve, which prevents the ECU from operating it to advance or retard the timing.[2][4][5]
What code P0010 means
The ECU has detected a fault in the electrical circuit of camshaft position actuator "A" on bank 1: the solenoid valve of the variable valve timing (VVT) on the intake camshaft. Carista describes it as an open circuit or short circuit in that solenoid valve, which prevents the ECU from operating it to advance or retard the timing.[2][4][5]
It is an electrical circuit code and not a sensor code, a distinction that TroubleCodes.net considers key to the diagnosis. The solenoid valve meters the pressurised oil that moves the camshaft phaser, so the condition of the oil also matters, even though the code is electrical.[3][4]
In Saab's workshop documentation for its 2.0 petrol engine, the ECU stores the code when the commanded and actual state of the control circuit do not match for more than 5 seconds, and the procedure starts by ruling out the codes for the crankshaft and camshaft sensors (P0335, P0336, P0340 and P0341).[5]
It is a generic OBD-II code (it starts with P0), so it means the same on any brand; what changes from one engine to another is the most likely cause.[6]
Original definition (SAE J2012): "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)[1][2][3]
Causes of P0010
From most to least likely, according to the sources.
- 1Faulty intake camshaft oil control solenoid valve (VVT solenoid or OCV), for example with a failed internal coil. All the sources mention this cause; Carista puts it first.[1][2][3][4][5]
- 2Damaged or corroded solenoid valve wiring or connector. Carista points out that this is common around the rocker cover, where oil can seep in.[1][2][3][4][5]
- 3Dirty or old oil, of the wrong viscosity or at a low level. Autodoc Club puts it first and Carista mentions sludgy oil as a chronic cause of failure of this solenoid valve.[1][2][4]
- 4Fault in the ECU or in its solenoid valve driver; Carista calls it rare.[2][3][4][5]
- 5Autodoc Club adds, among its causes, timing problems: wear in the timing drive and wiring or connectors of the crankshaft and camshaft sensors. The other sources treat the code as an electrical fault in the solenoid valve circuit.[1]
Symptoms
- Engine warning light (check engine light) on. TroubleCodes.net adds that it is sometimes the only symptom.[1][2][3][4]Engine warning light: faults that cause it
- Rough idle or unstable engine running.[1][2][4]Vibrations: faults that cause it
- Loss of power or weak response when accelerating: Carista places it at low revs; Autodoc Club and TroubleCodes.net, at medium or high engine speeds.[1][2][3][4]Less power: faults that cause it
- Increased fuel consumption, slight according to Carista.[1][3][4]Uses more fuel: faults that cause it
- Difficulty starting.[1][3]Hard to start: faults that cause it
- The engine may stall occasionally when accelerating hard.[3]Engine stalls: faults that cause it
- Engine rattling, which MechanicBase mentions.[2]Chain noise: faults that cause it
- Risk of failing the emissions test at the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection, the equivalent of the MOT).[1][2]
How to diagnose P0010
In order: from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.
- 1Read all the codes with a diagnostic tool. In Saab's procedure, a check is made that there are no codes for the crankshaft and camshaft sensors as well (P0335, P0336, P0340, P0341).[2][5]
- 2Check the oil: level, condition and viscosity. If it is dirty or not the one the manufacturer recommends, change it together with the filter and see whether the code comes back.[1][2][4]
- 3Inspect the wiring and connector of the intake camshaft solenoid valve: breaks, corrosion, loose connections or seeped oil.[1][2][3][4]
- 4With a multimeter, check that power and ground reach the connector when the ECU operates the solenoid valve, and measure the resistance of its coil: Carista gives 7-15 Ω as a reference value and Saab 8-13 Ω on its 2.0 petrol engine, as well as checking that there is no continuity between the terminals and the casing. Use the value from your engine's manufacturer.[4][5]
- 5With the diagnostic tool, command the solenoid valve to operate and watch the circuit status. On its 2.0, Saab asks to command the actuator to 20 degrees and then hold the engine at 2,000 rpm for 10 seconds to see whether the code reappears.[3][5]
- 6Replace the solenoid valve if the measurements are out of range. If the code persists, MechanicBase advises moving on to a professional ECU diagnosis.[2][4][5]
- 7If everything above is fine, Autodoc Club recommends checking the timing components and making sure the crankshaft and camshaft timing marks are aligned.[1]
Can I keep driving with P0010?
Garage soon
No source says to stop the car immediately, but they do not all treat it the same. Autodoc Club advises driving as little as possible, because the engine may behave erratically, and warns that, although it may not be serious at first, if it is put off it can end up in serious damage. Carista and MechanicBase class it as medium severity; MechanicBase says you can keep driving, but that it must be repaired soon because the engine loses performance and carrying on risks more damage. TroubleCodes.net agrees that you can normally drive, with a loss of performance, and recommends diagnosing it straight away to avoid bigger damage.[1][2][3][4]
Parts related to code P0010
The parts that most often cause this code. The code points to the circuit, not always the part: diagnose before you buy.
Camshaft adjuster
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Documented faults related to P0010
Known faults of specific engines and cars, with their repair cost, the affected years and their sources.
Variable valve timing (VVT) actuator: the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalPorsche V8 and V6 (Cayenne and Panamera)Loosening of the camshaft adjuster boltsPorsche acknowledges that the fixing bolts of the camshaft adjusters on certain Cayenne S and Turbo and Panamera models built up to September 2011 can fail: noise, vibration, engine warning light and, in rare cases, stalling. There has been a worldwide workshop campaign since 2012.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonBMW N43/N46Wear of the Valvetronic and the VANOS solenoid valvesOver the years, the eccentric shaft or the actuator motor of the Valvetronic can wear and cause heavy idle fluctuations; the VANOS solenoid valves also fail over time, with similar symptoms and a loss of power. According to English-language Wikipedia, the 1.6-litre N43B16 does not have Valvetronic.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonM111Camshaft adjuster oil leak into the wiringYes: the magnet (solenoid valve) of the M111 camshaft adjuster can lose its seal, and the oil creeps up by capillary action to the connector and the wiring loom. Mercedes-Benz has the same repair cable as for the M271 (part number A2711502733), which is cheap to fit.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonM271Oil leaking from the camshaft adjuster solenoids into the wiringYes: the camshaft adjuster solenoids (magnets) of the M271 can lose their seal, and the oil wicks up to the connector and the wiring loom, and can even reach the control unit. Mercedes-Benz has a specific repair cable (reference A2711502733) that is cheap to fit.
Wiring, connectors and short circuits: the most serious faults by engine and car
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW N62 / N63Additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fireIn 2011 BMW recalled 5, 6 and 7 Series, X5 and X6 models built between 2007 and 2011 because of the additional turbo coolant pump: moisture, a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire. In 2012 there was another campaign for a crack in the pump, with a more robust version.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)Main relay of the power relay assembly (overheating and fire risk)Yes, on the first units: Hyundai and Kia recalled 2016–2018 Ioniq and Niro hybrids and plug-in hybrids because the main relay that connects the high-voltage battery could come loose, overheat and, in the worst case, cause a fire.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)Clutch hydraulic actuator (HCA): leak or moisture with risk of short circuit and fireYes, this is the most documented hybrid system fault: the hydraulic actuator that engages the combustion engine with the hybrid assembly has had two recalls (2018 for a leak on the Niro and 2025 for moisture in its electronic board on the Niro, Ceed and XCeed PHEV), with a risk of short circuit and fire.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.3 TCeBlown fuel pump fuseOn the Renault Captur II and Clio V with the 1.3 TCe engine, a 20-amp fuse can blow and leave the car without an engine. According to L'argus, in April 2021 this fault still had no factory fix; the official service centre's diagnosis includes checking, and sometimes replacing, the catalytic converter.
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonRover 75Seat SRS connector fault with airbag and seatbelt warning light onAuto Express warns that the Rover 75's seat SRS connector can cause the airbags to fail, and dealers were fixing it with revised connectors. The Dutch APK inspection puts the airbag or seatbelt fault warning among the most frequent defects across almost all series.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo GiuliettaShort circuit from badly routed wiring that can prevent gear shifting (KBA campaign, 2010-2015)Yes: according to Germany's KBA, on Alfa Romeo Giulietta cars built between 2010 and 2015 inadequate cable routing could cause a short circuit and, as a result, gear-shift failure.
P0010 by make
Documented faults that can trigger P0010 in each make's engines and cars.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with code P0010?
You usually can, but with caution and by repairing it soon. Autodoc Club advises driving as little as possible because the engine may behave erratically, while Carista and MechanicBase consider it medium severity and MechanicBase adds that you can keep driving, although the engine loses performance and carrying on risks more damage.[1][2][4]
What is the difference between P0010 and P0011?
P0010 is an electrical fault in the circuit of the bank 1 intake camshaft solenoid valve. P0011 indicates that the camshaft is more advanced than the ECU commanded, or that the system is not working as it should. In Saab's workshop documentation they are two different codes for the same actuator: the control circuit in one case, the operation of the system in the other.[4][5]
What do the "A" and "bank 1" in P0010 mean?
The "A" corresponds to the intake camshaft and bank 1 is the bank with cylinder number 1. The exhaust camshaft version is P0013.[1][2][5]
Can oil cause a P0010?
Yes. Autodoc Club includes very dirty or low oil among the first causes, MechanicBase mentions contaminated or old oil, and Carista says sludgy oil is a chronic cause of failure of this solenoid valve. That is why the first check is the oil.[1][2][4]
Does P0010 mean the same on all brands?
Yes. Codes starting with P0 are generic OBD-II codes and have the same definition for all manufacturers.[6]
Will I pass the MOT with code P0010?
If the code has switched on the engine warning light, no: with that light on, the inspection records a serious defect, and on Euro 5 and Euro 6 cars the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection, similar to the MOT) also reads the OBD diagnostic system. Repair the fault before you go; clearing the code just before the inspection does not help either, because it counts as a serious defect.[7]
Not sure what is wrong with your car? Describe what you notice in the symptom diagnosis or see all fault codes.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Código OBD2 P0010: causas, síntomas y cómo corregirloAutodoc Club · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
- P0010 Code – Meaning, Causes, Symptoms (& How To Fix)Mechanic Base · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026
- P0010 – Camshaft position (CMP) actuator, intake/left/front, bank 1 -circuit malfunctionTroubleCodes.net (BAT Auto) · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026
- P0010: OBD-II code P0010 flags an open or shorted circuit at the bank 1 intake camshaft VVT actuator solenoidCarista · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026
- DTC P0010 or P0013, Saab 9-5 (9650) 2011, motor de gasolina de 2.0 l (copia del manual de taller de Saab)Saab WIS Online (Saab Workshop Information System) · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026
- On-board diagnosticsWikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
- Desmontando mitos: ¿puede pasar mi coche la ITV con el testigo de «avería motor» encendido?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 March 2021 · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish