

Note: Depending on your car’s model, the Check Engine Light may be known as the Service Engine Soon (SES) light or the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL). The ECM will switch on the Check Engine Light if the camshaft timing cannot be commanded to move.If your vehicle has an over-retarded camshaft timing for Bank 1, you’re likely to come across one or more of the following symptoms:

INTAKE CAMSHAFT POSITION TIMING CODE
The P0012 code occurs when the ECM detects that the intake camshaft is stuck in a retarded position or opens too long after the engine’s intake cycle. This is how the ECM verifies the intake camshaft timing. It analyzes the actual intake valve timing using signals from the crankshaft and camshaft position sensor. The ECM adjusts the camshaft through the oil control valve (or variable valve timing control solenoid valve). This over-retarded timing can happen during the advancing or retarding phase of the camshaft timing.Ī variable valve timing system (VVT system) optimizes fuel consumption and engine performance by regulating when the intake and exhaust cam valves open and close. It means that your car’s Engine Control Module (ECM) has detected that the intake camshaft timing for Bank 1 (the engine side that holds the number one cylinder) is more retarded than what the ECM commands it to be.

P0012 is an OBD-II Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) defined as “ Camshaft Position A – Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1).”
