P0076🔧 Variable valve timing (intake camshaft oil control solenoid)Stop and fix promptly

P0076: Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low Bank 1 (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

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

What P0076 means

On engines with variable valve timing, the engine computer (ECM/PCM) moves the camshaft by sending engine oil through a control solenoid. OBD-Codes.com explains that the computer drives this solenoid with a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal and watches that signal; if the voltage is below specification, it sets P0076 and turns on the check engine light. Bank 1 is the side of the engine with cylinder number 1, and OBD-Codes.com says the intake valve control solenoid is usually on the intake manifold side of the cylinder head. It is a generic code that applies to all makes from 1996 on, though repair steps vary by model. The sources differ in a few ways. OBD-Codes.com describes a purely electrical fault (a short to ground), while RepairPal says the code sets when the PCM finds an issue with the solenoid's signal but lists engine oil problems among the common causes. RepairPal's write-up also says this intake solenoid controls the exhaust valve and lists an exhaust valve control solenoid failure as a cause, which conflicts with the code's own name and with OBD-Codes.com; on a P0076 it is the bank 1 intake solenoid that should be checked. RepairPal's severity (Urgent) and its 'engine may not start' symptom are also stronger than anything OBD-Codes.com lists. OBD-Codes.com says this code is similar to P0075 and P0077, which cover the same bank 1 solenoid circuit, and may be accompanied by P0026.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Stop and fix promptly

Get it checked soon and avoid hard driving until then. RepairPal rates P0076 Urgent, meaning immediate action is needed, and lists decreased engine performance, higher fuel use and, in some cases, an engine that may not start. OBD-Codes.com gives no severity rating and lists milder symptoms: the check engine light, poor acceleration and lower fuel economy. Check your engine oil level right away, since RepairPal lists low or wrong-spec oil among the causes.

Common symptoms

Likely causes

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

  1. Wiring harness shorted to ground (OBD-Codes.com), or another wiring issue (RepairPal)
  2. Intake valve control solenoid shorted to ground internally (OBD-Codes.com; RepairPal lists a failed exhaust valve control solenoid)
  3. Engine oil level too low (RepairPal only)
  4. Engine oil that doesn't meet the manufacturer's requirements (RepairPal only)
  5. Faulty engine computer (ECM/PCM) (OBD-Codes.com, RepairPal)

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 make sure the oil matches your owner's manual spec; RepairPal lists low or wrong oil as common causes and an oil and filter change as the common repair.
  2. Find the bank 1 intake valve control solenoid, usually on the intake side of the cylinder head on the cylinder 1 side, and look for chafed wires, damaged insulation or corroded connectors.
  3. OBD-Codes.com notes the solenoid can be switched on its power side or its ground side depending on the vehicle, so check a factory wiring diagram to see how your circuit works before testing.
  4. With the computer connector unplugged, OBD-Codes.com describes using a multimeter set to volts, positive lead on the battery positive and negative lead on each solenoid wire, to check for a short to ground, then unplugging connectors and working back toward the solenoid to find it.
  5. To test the solenoid itself, put one meter lead on a known good ground and the other on each solenoid terminal. OBD-Codes.com says a low resistance reading means the solenoid may be shorted internally.
  6. If wiring and solenoid test good, OBD-Codes.com suggests comparing the duty cycle commanded on an advanced scan tool with the actual signal at the solenoid using an oscilloscope or graphing multimeter at different engine speeds and loads. No signal from the computer may mean a computer fault.

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

  • The engine won't start or runs poorly along with the code
  • You don't have a wiring diagram, multimeter or a scan tool that shows solenoid duty cycle
  • The code returns after an oil change and a wiring repair or new solenoid
  • Other camshaft timing codes such as P0026, P0011 or P0014 are also set
  • Tests point to the engine computer, which may need programming to your vehicle

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 P0076?

Only carefully and for a short time. RepairPal rates it Urgent and says the engine may lose performance or even fail to start, while OBD-Codes.com lists poor acceleration and lower fuel economy. Check the oil level first and get it diagnosed soon.

What does 'circuit low' mean on P0076?

OBD-Codes.com says the engine computer watches the solenoid's control signal and sets P0076 when that voltage is below specification. Its listed causes are a short to ground in the wiring or inside the solenoid, or a faulty computer.

Can low oil cause P0076?

RepairPal lists low engine oil and oil that doesn't meet the manufacturer's requirements as common causes, because the timing solenoid works with engine oil pressure. OBD-Codes.com treats P0076 as an electrical short to ground, so check both the oil and the wiring.

How much does it cost to fix P0076?

Neither source gives a repair cost for P0076. It can be as simple as an oil change or a chafed wire, or it may need a new solenoid, so diagnose it before buying parts.

Sources

  1. OBD-Codes.com: P0076 Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low (Bank 1)
  2. RepairPal: P0076 Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low (rated Urgent)

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