This code reports an interrupted control circuit at actuator B on the exhaust camshaft (camshaft B) of bank 2. No vehicle manufacturer is known to use P2B3C in public documents. Its bank 1 twin P2B39 appears in GM's tables for the 2.7-litre L3B, an inline engine without a second bank, where an impedance of 200 kΩ or more with the output on counts as open. Audi's later 2.0 TFSI applies its valvelift system to the exhaust valves, which shows that exhaust lobe switching is in production, but that engine also has a single bank. CARB's requirement for circuit monitoring of output components is the basis. An unplugged connector, a broken lead or an open solenoid coil will stop the exhaust sleeve on bank 2 from moving.
Medium severity. Can I keep driving?Drive little and gently. If you hear timing chain noise or the oil light comes on, shut off the engine.
Bank 2 is the side without cylinder 1, so it only exists on V or boxer engines.
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Exhaust lift on bank 2 no longer switches
Most likely causes
- Connector of the bank 2 exhaust actuator unplugged or loose
- Broken lead to the actuator
- Open coil in exhaust actuator B
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 P2B3C means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 2: Generic code: same on every make
- B: Subsystem depends on the code range
- 3C: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P2B3C?
Drive little and gently. If you hear timing chain noise or the oil light comes on, shut off the engine.
What causes code P2B3C?
The most common causes are: connector of the bank 2 exhaust actuator unplugged or loose; broken lead to the actuator; open coil in exhaust actuator B.
Related codes
- P2B3DB Camshaft Profile Actuator B Control Circuit Low Bank 2
- P2B3EB Camshaft Profile Actuator B Control Circuit High Bank 2
- P2B39B Camshaft Profile Actuator B Control Circuit/Open Bank 1
- P2B36A Camshaft Profile Actuator B Control Circuit/Open Bank 2
- P002DB Camshaft Profile Actuator A Control Circuit/Open Bank 2
- P2B52B Camshaft Profile Actuator B Control Performance/Stuck Off Bank 2
Sources
- law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 19OBDG03D Diagnostics
- audi-technology-portal.de: audi valvelift system en
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.