Faulty camshaft oil control valve (OCV) (OBD-Codes.com), or variable valve timing actuator failure (RepairPal). Open or short in the OCV / solenoid valve (OBD-Codes.com), or a wiring issue (RepairPal). Damaged or failed engine computer (PCM) (both sources).

Repair damaged wiring or connectors in the oil control valve circuit. Replace the oil control valve (camshaft actuator solenoid) if its resistance is out of spec. Change the engine oil and filter if the oil is low or dirty. Replace or reprogram the PCM only after the valve and wiring check out.

P0023🔧 Engine timing / variable valve timingStop and fix promptly

P0023: "B" Camshaft Actuator Circuit (Bank 2) (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Q: What does P0023 mean?

P0023 points to a problem in the electrical circuit of the Bank 2 'B' camshaft (usually the exhaust cam) timing actuator, the oil control valve (solenoid) that the engine computer uses for variable valve timing. Bank 2 is the side of the engine without cylinder 1. Common causes are a faulty oil control valve, an open or short in the valve or its wiring, or, less often, a damaged engine computer. Many modern engines use variable valve timing (VVT, also called VCT) to shift the camshaft for more power or better efficiency at different engine speeds. The engine computer (PCM/ECM) does this with an oil control valve (OCV, also called a camshaft position actuator solenoid) that sends engine oil to the cam phaser. OBD-Codes.com quotes a description of how this works: the PCM drives the solenoid with a 12 volt pulse-width-modulated signal on a high control circuit, with a low reference circuit as the return, and sets P0023 if it detects an open, a short to ground or a short to voltage in that circuit. The 'B' camshaft is the exhaust, right or rear camshaft (looking at the engine from the driver's seat), and Bank 2 is the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder 1. It is a generic OBD-II code seen on Toyota, VW, Ford, Dodge, Honda, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Audi, Acura and others (OBD-Codes.com). P0013 is the same circuit code for Bank 1, P0020 is the Bank 2 camshaft 'A' (usually intake) circuit code, and P0024 and P0025 are the Bank 2 camshaft 'B' timing over-advanced and over-retarded codes. The sources describe it differently: OBD-Codes.com treats P0023 as an electrical circuit fault (open or short), while RepairPal, which defines it as 'Actuator Circuit/Open', explains it as the PCM finding that valve timing is not being adjusted as requested and lists an oil and filter change as its common repair.

Q: Can I keep driving with P0023?

Stop and fix promptly. Get this diagnosed promptly. RepairPal rates P0023 'Urgent', meaning it can cause severe damage or be unsafe. OBD-Codes.com lists rough running as a possible symptom. Check your oil level, and avoid driving if the engine stalls, knocks or runs badly.

Reviewed 2026-10-24 · Based on 2 cited source(s)

What P0023 means

Many modern engines use variable valve timing (VVT, also called VCT) to shift the camshaft for more power or better efficiency at different engine speeds. The engine computer (PCM/ECM) does this with an oil control valve (OCV, also called a camshaft position actuator solenoid) that sends engine oil to the cam phaser. OBD-Codes.com quotes a description of how this works: the PCM drives the solenoid with a 12 volt pulse-width-modulated signal on a high control circuit, with a low reference circuit as the return, and sets P0023 if it detects an open, a short to ground or a short to voltage in that circuit. The 'B' camshaft is the exhaust, right or rear camshaft (looking at the engine from the driver's seat), and Bank 2 is the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder 1. It is a generic OBD-II code seen on Toyota, VW, Ford, Dodge, Honda, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Audi, Acura and others (OBD-Codes.com). P0013 is the same circuit code for Bank 1, P0020 is the Bank 2 camshaft 'A' (usually intake) circuit code, and P0024 and P0025 are the Bank 2 camshaft 'B' timing over-advanced and over-retarded codes. The sources describe it differently: OBD-Codes.com treats P0023 as an electrical circuit fault (open or short), while RepairPal, which defines it as 'Actuator Circuit/Open', explains it as the PCM finding that valve timing is not being adjusted as requested and lists an oil and filter change as its common repair.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Stop and fix promptly

Get this diagnosed promptly. RepairPal rates P0023 'Urgent', meaning it can cause severe damage or be unsafe. OBD-Codes.com lists rough running as a possible symptom. Check your oil level, and avoid driving if the engine stalls, knocks or runs badly.

Common symptoms

Check engine light on
Rough running (listed by OBD-Codes.com)
Decreased engine performance (listed by RepairPal)
Increased fuel consumption (listed by RepairPal)

Likely causes

Roughly most to least common, based on the sources below. Your vehicle may differ.

Faulty camshaft oil control valve (OCV) (OBD-Codes.com), or variable valve timing actuator failure (RepairPal)
Open or short in the OCV / solenoid valve (OBD-Codes.com), or a wiring issue (RepairPal)
Damaged or failed engine computer (PCM) (both sources)

Diagnostic steps you can do

⚠ Before you start

Work on a cool engine, parked on level ground with the parking brake set. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

Read all stored codes. P0020, P0024, P0025 or other camshaft codes alongside P0023 help narrow down which camshaft and whether the fault is electrical or mechanical.
Inspect the wiring and connector at the Bank 2 exhaust (B) camshaft oil control valve for damage, corrosion, oil contamination or a loose plug.
Check the engine oil level and condition; RepairPal lists an oil and filter change as the common repair for this code.
With a digital volt-ohm meter, measure the oil control valve's terminal resistance and compare it to the factory specification, and check the wiring and connectors back to the PCM (OBD-Codes.com).

Typical fixes

Repair damaged wiring or connectors in the oil control valve circuit
Replace the oil control valve (camshaft actuator solenoid) if its resistance is out of spec
Change the engine oil and filter if the oil is low or dirty
Replace or reprogram the PCM only after the valve and wiring check out

Repair costs vary widely by vehicle, region, parts brand and shop, so we don't quote prices. Get a written estimate after diagnosis.

🛠 When to call a pro

OBD-Codes.com recommends following the factory service manual for make-specific test steps and resistance specs
The wiring and valve test good but the code keeps coming back
The engine stalls, knocks or runs badly
Timing over-advanced/retarded or correlation codes (P0024, P0025, P0018, P0019) also appear

Where to buy

Plain search links. Always match parts to your exact year, make, model and engine.

OBD2 scanners on Amazon Parts at Advance Auto Parts catalog at RockAuto

FAQs

What's the difference between P0013 and P0023?

Both are camshaft 'B' (usually exhaust) actuator circuit codes. P0013 is for Bank 1, the side with cylinder 1, and P0023 is for Bank 2, the other side.

Can an oil change fix P0023?

Possibly. RepairPal lists an oil and filter change as the common repair, but OBD-Codes.com describes P0023 as an electrical circuit fault, so if the code returns check the oil control valve's resistance and its wiring.

Is it safe to drive with P0023?

RepairPal rates it 'Urgent'. Get it diagnosed soon, and don't drive if the engine stalls, knocks or runs badly.

How much does it cost to fix P0023?

Neither source gives a repair cost. It can range from a wiring repair or oil change to a new oil control valve or, rarely, a PCM, so get a diagnosis and a written estimate first.

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-10-24. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.