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P0013 Engine Code: Causes, Diagnosis, and Fixes

  • Car Services
  • Silas Smith
  • 6 minutes

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Not everyone’s idea of a fun morning is turning the key in their beloved car and seeing the check engine light blinking at them. But a car is a machine, and errors and error codes are inevitable. What if the P0013 code appears in your car? This article discusses the causes, symptoms, and fixes for the engine code P0013.

Save $3000/year on car service expenses

Engine code P0013: What does it mean? 

P0013 engine code means “Exhaust “B” Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit/Open (Bank 1)”. It is one of the most common OBD-II engine codes in cars. It indicates an open or short circuit within Bank 1 of the Exhaust Camshaft Actuator Circuit Valve (CMP actuator solenoid). The Engine Control Module (ECM) will also signal the dashboard’s check engine light if the Camshaft Position Sensor is faulty. 

Increased fuel consumption, engine stalling, and ECM damage can result from a faulty CMP actuator solenoid. So, if you notice a problem with your engine, it is crucial to fix it immediately to prevent further damage. 

What causes a P0013 code?

These are some potential causes for the code to appear in your car.

  • Low engine oil level or the presence of dirty engine oil
  • The oil control valve became defective
  • The VVT solenoid control circuit became defective
  • A defective ECM
  • Blocked fuel filter
  • Dirty spark plugs
  • The car battery is bad
  • Dirty throttle body or mass airflow sensor (MAF)

Is it safe to drive with the P0013 code?

Cars with P0013 issue codes can be driven quickly, but they should be fixed immediately to prevent serious and permanent engine damage. Even the engine control module can sustain damage if you drive your car with a short circuit.

P0013: Symptoms 

Decrease in fuel economy 

via GIPHY

Code P0013 manifests itself most frequently in an increase in fuel consumption. One of the most common reasons for this is a malfunctioning exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. Furthermore, If the exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) is malfunctioning, the engine may run rich. Here, a larger quantity of fuel is available than is necessary to burn with the available air. 

Difficulty in starting the engine 

A faulty camshaft position sensor will not be able to sense the exact camshaft position, as a result of which it is unable to send signals to the Engine Control Unit. This leads to difficulty in starting the car’s engine. 

Performance dip 

Just like many other error codes, the P0013 engine code could also result in a drop in engine performance. If you find yourself having to put in more effort to push your car to higher speeds or unable to overtake other vehicles on highways, you may want to have it checked out.  

Other symptoms can also show up, like engine misfires, issues with ignition, rough engine, difficulty in starting the car, and carbon fouling of internal engine valve components.

Diagnosis 

via GIPHY

  • Examine the bank one exhaust camshaft’s oil control valve for any faulty connections, wiring, or valve irregularities. 
  • Inspect the oil level and quality 
  • Check the spark plugs and ignition coils for any damage 
  • Examining the ECM’s wiring for potential shorts after disengaging the wires. 
  • Inspect the exhaust and air intake system for blockages
  • Verifies that the OCV has the proper resistance range of 6.9 to 7.9 ohms 

Mechanics usually inspect the computer code and record the freeze frame data to pinpoint the time of occurrence of the error. After this, they reset the code and will test the car again to find out if it is returning. If the issue persists, they perform certain repairs on the car to bring it back to normal condition.  

How do I fix code P0013?

  • The P0013 code typically indicates a faulty camshaft sensor. If this component is the source of the problem, replacing it is mandatory. 
  • Replacing the ECM or the ECM wiring might also help tackle the issue if the problem lies with it.  
  • Changing the oil control valve in the Bank 1 Exhaust Camshaft can also help resolve the problem. 
  • Changing the exhaust solenoid
  • Once the faulty parts are replaced, the code has to be reset and retested to ensure that it doesn’t pop up again.

How much does it cost to fix code P0013?

The P0013 code repair cost varies by your car’s make and model, the exact issue, diagnosis, and labor. Depending on that, it could cost around $300-$400 to fix the error code. Ideally, the cost to replace a camshaft position sensor comes between $181 and $244. You can expect the labor costs to be between $75 and $100.

FAQs

What is the code P0013 on a Toyota Avalon?

The code P0013 indicates a camshaft sensor or actuator solenoid issue for variable valve control. Additional testing will be required to determine whether the sensor or solenoid has to be changed.

Can a camshaft actuator cause a misfire?

Your engine may misfire if your camshaft position sensor is malfunctioning.

What is code P0013 and P0014?

The codes P0013 and P0014 are for camshaft position actuators. P0013 indicates “Exhaust “B” Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit/Open (Bank 1),” or “B Camshaft Position – Open or Short in Oil Control Valve (OCV) (Bank 1)”. P0014 indicates “Bank 1 Exhaust Camshaft Advanced Timing”.

What is the code P0013 on a Chevy Malibu oil control valve?

Chevy Malibu code P0013 indicates a short or open circuit in the exhaust camshaft actuator circuit valve or the CMP actuator solenoid. Code P0013 Chevy Malibu can happen due to a dirty oil control valve, faulty ECM, defective VVT solenoid control circuit, etc.

What is code P0013 for Chevy Malibu?

P0013 code Chevy Malibu indicates “Exhaust “B” Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit/Open (Bank 1). It’s a generic engine error code related to the variable valve timing (VVT) components.

What does the P0013 code mean for a Chevy Equinox?

Code P0013 Chevy Equinox implies “Exhaust “B” Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit/Open (Bank 1).” The code signifies an issue with the variable valve timing (VVT), meaning that the ECU cannot change the timing of your engine’s exhaust camshaft located in bank 1.

Can low oil cause P0013?

Yes, engine code P0013 can show up due to the low oil level in the engine.

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