P0015: "B" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)

The engine control module compares the commanded position of the exhaust camshaft on bank 1 with the actual position from the camshaft and crankshaft sensors. This code is set when the camshaft stays further retarded than commanded for longer than a calibrated time. Usually the phaser does not move far enough out of its rest position, because oil pressure is too low to release the locking pin, the oil control valve does not open, or the oil screen is blocked. A stretched timing chain also shifts the camshaft towards retarded. Bank 1 is the cylinder bank that contains cylinder 1.

Bank 1 is the side of the engine with cylinder 1. Inline engines only have this bank.

Symptoms

• Check engine light on
• Noticeably less torque and pulling power
• Higher fuel consumption
• Harder starting in some cases
• Rattle from the timing drive if the chain is stretched

Most likely causes

• Oil pressure or oil level too low, oil worn out
• Oil control valve sticking closed or its screen blocked
• Cam phaser defective or seized in its rest position
• Timing chain stretched or jumped a tooth
• Wear debris in the oil circuit, e.g. from a thrust bearing

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

1. Check the oil level and condition before anything else
2. Use the scanner to command the movement and compare the actual position with the requested one.
3. Check the solenoid valve's connector
4. Compare commanded and actual angles in live data
5. Test the solenoid valve and its filter, if it has one
6. Check the engine timing if there is chain noise

Good to know

• Repair difficulty: medium
• It can trigger limp mode.
• It affects emissions.

What each character of P0015 means

• P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
• 0: Generic code: same on every make
• 0: Subsystem depends on the code range
• 15: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0015?

Drive little and gently. If you hear timing chain noise or the oil light comes on, shut off the engine.

What causes code P0015?

The most common causes are: oil pressure or oil level too low, oil worn out; oil control valve sticking closed or its screen blocked; cam phaser defective or seized in its rest position.

Related codes

• P0014"B" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1)
• P000BB Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 1
• P0013"B" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)
• P0012"A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)
• P0022"A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 2)
• P0025"B" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 2)
• P0017Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B)

Sources

• law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
• saabwisonline.com: camshaft actuator system description
• patents.google.com: US8380423
• en.wikipedia.org: Variable valve timing

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.