What it means
Drive voltage to the intake VVT oil control valve on bank 1 reads below the lower limit. Usually a short to ground or a coil shorted internally.
At a glance
- Usually lights the check-engine light
- Affects emissions; the car can fail an emissions test
How it works
The bank 1 A camshaft position actuator is the intake cam's variable valve timing oil control valve. The module monitors its control circuit and sets this code when the circuit voltage is below the expected range, such as from a short to ground or a shorted solenoid coil.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Drive line shorted to ground
- Solenoid coil internally shorted
- Connector pins corroded - high contact resistance
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Power loss especially in mid-rpm range
- Possible rough idle or stalling
- Increased fuel consumption
How to diagnose it
- Review freeze-frame data and live cam timing to note when the bank 1 intake actuator fault occurs and whether intake cam response is affected.
- Inspect the bank 1 A actuator connector and nearby wiring for corrosion, damaged insulation, or a pin contacting ground.
- Check the connector terminals for corrosion or poor fit that could disrupt the actuator circuit.
- Test the actuator coil and wiring for a short to ground or abnormal continuity against the manufacturer's specification.
- If the circuit and actuator pass, check the module driver and intake cam timing system using the manufacturer's diagnostic procedure.
Common fixes
- Clean or repair corroded terminals at the bank 1 A actuator connector.
- Repair wiring shorted to ground in the intake actuator control circuit.
- Replace the bank 1 intake cam actuator solenoid if its coil fails testing.
- Repair the control module driver only if circuit tests confirm it is faulty.
Can I keep driving?
You may be able to drive gently if the engine is running smoothly, but avoid hard acceleration because intake cam timing may not respond correctly. If it stalls, runs very rough, or loses significant power, stop driving.
A code shows where the control module detected a fault, not always which part failed. Check the causes in order and confirm with a test before replacing parts. Have several codes? Check them together
This is a generic code: it means the same on every make. The car’s maker may add more detail in its own service information.