P0026🔧 Variable valve timing (intake camshaft, bank 1)Stop and fix promptly

P0026: Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Range/Performance Bank 1 (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

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

What P0026 means

On engines with variable valve timing (VVT), each camshaft is turned by a hydraulic actuator fed by engine oil through a control solenoid that the engine computer (ECM or PCM) drives. OBD-Codes.com says P0026 sets when the ECM/PCM detects that the range of movement of the bank 1 intake camshaft is out of specification or not working when commanded. Bank 1 is the side of the engine with cylinder 1, and the intake valve control solenoid is typically on the intake manifold side of the cylinder head. OBD-Codes.com notes the code may come with P0075, P0076 or P0077 (solenoid circuit codes), and says to fix the solenoid circuit problem before diagnosing the range/performance issue. P0027, P0028 and P0029 are the matching codes for the bank 1 exhaust valve and the bank 2 intake and exhaust valves. The sources word it differently: RepairPal says the code sets when the PCM finds an issue with the signal from the intake valve control solenoid, and its description of the part refers to the exhaust valve and lists exhaust valve control solenoid failure as a cause, even though the code title names the intake valve. OBD-Codes.com describes it as a camshaft movement problem rather than a signal problem.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Stop and fix promptly

RepairPal puts P0026 in its urgent category, meaning action is needed right away because it can cause severe damage or put the people in the car at risk. OBD-Codes.com gives no severity rating, but its causes start with low or dirty engine oil, and the variable valve timing system runs on oil pressure. Check the oil level first and have the code diagnosed soon rather than putting it off.

Common symptoms

Likely causes

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

  1. Low engine oil level (both sources)
  2. Contaminated oil (OBD-Codes.com) or oil that doesn't meet the manufacturer's requirements (RepairPal)
  3. Clogged oil system (OBD-Codes.com)
  4. Failed valve timing control solenoid (both sources; RepairPal calls it the exhaust valve control solenoid)
  5. Failed camshaft actuator (OBD-Codes.com)
  6. Timing chain or belt loose or incorrectly adjusted (OBD-Codes.com)
  7. Wiring issue (RepairPal)
  8. Faulty ECM/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.

  1. Check the engine oil level and condition first. OBD-Codes.com says the actuators work on oil pressure, so the right amount of oil is critical, and dirty oil can cause buildup that makes the solenoid or actuator fail.
  2. If the oil is overdue or doesn't match the spec in the owner's manual, change the oil and filter, which RepairPal names as the common repair.
  3. Check for P0075, P0076 or P0077 as well. OBD-Codes.com says to fix a solenoid circuit fault before chasing the range/performance problem.
  4. With the engine off, unplug the bank 1 intake control solenoid and check its resistance with a multimeter against the manufacturer's spec, as OBD-Codes.com describes.
  5. If the resistance is in spec, OBD-Codes.com suggests removing the solenoid to check for contamination or damaged sealing O-rings that would lose oil pressure.

Typical fixes

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 says the ECM/PCM drives the solenoid with a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal, and a graphing multimeter or oscilloscope is needed to view it; if the PWM signal doesn't change consistently with engine RPM, there may be a computer problem
  • Follow the manufacturer's procedure to remove the camshaft actuator and check it for leaks in its oil feed and return, and confirm the timing chain or belt is in the correct position on the camshaft gear (OBD-Codes.com)
  • The sources differ: OBD-Codes.com describes a camshaft movement range fault and adds clogged oil passages, the cam actuator and timing chain or belt problems, while RepairPal describes a solenoid signal issue, mentions the exhaust valve in its description despite the intake title, and lists wiring; RepairPal rates it urgent and OBD-Codes.com gives no rating
  • RepairPal's general advice for this code: most trouble codes come from a sensor reporting an out-of-range value, and just replacing a part may not fix the underlying issue

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

Can I drive with P0026?

RepairPal rates it urgent. Check the oil level right away, since low or dirty oil is the first cause both sources list, and have it diagnosed soon.

Will an oil change fix P0026?

Sometimes. RepairPal names an oil and filter change as the common repair, and OBD-Codes.com lists low or contaminated oil as causes. If the code comes back, the control solenoid, cam actuator, wiring or timing chain are the next things to check.

What's the difference between P0026 and P0028?

Both are intake valve control solenoid range/performance codes. P0026 is bank 1, the side with cylinder 1, and P0028 is bank 2, per OBD-Codes.com.

Sources

  1. OBD-Codes.com: P0026 Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Range/Performance Bank 1
  2. RepairPal: P0026 OBD-II code (severity, symptoms, causes)

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