The engine control module drives the oil control valve (a pulse-width modulated solenoid) of the variable valve timing on the exhaust camshaft on bank 1. It checks the electrical state of this output and sets the code when the circuit is open, or when the measured state does not match the command, for example because of a short. Camshaft adjustment is then disabled and the phaser stays in its locked rest position: the engine keeps running, but with less torque and higher consumption. Bank 1 is the cylinder bank that contains cylinder 1.
Medium severity. Can I keep driving?Yes, for a moderate trip to a repair shop, knowing that fuel consumption may rise and power may drop somewhat. Stop driving if the engine stalls or makes noises it did not make before.
Bank 1 is the side of the engine with cylinder 1. Inline engines only have this bank.
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Less pulling power at low and medium engine speed
- Rough idle in some engines
- Slightly higher fuel consumption
Most likely causes
- Solenoid coil of the oil control valve open or shorted
- Connector corroded, loose or soaked with engine oil wicking through the valve
- Wiring harness chafed through or broken
- Supply voltage missing, e.g. blown fuse
- Output driver in the engine control module faulty
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: medium
- It can trigger limp mode.
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P0013 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 0: Subsystem depends on the code range
- 13: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0013?
Yes, for a moderate trip to a repair shop, knowing that fuel consumption may rise and power may drop somewhat. Stop driving if the engine stalls or makes noises it did not make before.
What causes code P0013?
The most common causes are: solenoid coil of the oil control valve open or shorted; connector corroded, loose or soaked with engine oil wicking through the valve; wiring harness chafed through or broken.
Related codes
- P0010"A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)
- P0020"A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 2)
- P0023"B" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 2)
- P0014"B" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1)
- P0015"B" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)
Sources
- law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
- saabwisonline.com: dtc p0010 p0013 p0020 p0023 p2088 p2089 p2090 p209
- saabwisonline.com: camshaft actuator system description
Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.