P0020 Code: "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 2)
Electrical fault in the bank 2 intake cam solenoid circuit on a V or boxer engine; bank 2 phasing is off.
At a glance
Severity: Low
- Meaning
- "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 2)
- System
- Fuel & Air Metering · Powertrain
- Safe to drive?
- Yes, short term
- Typical repair cost
- $0–$1,400
- DIY difficulty
- Moderate
P0020 is the bank 2 counterpart of P0010 and only appears on engines with two cylinder banks. The PCM has found the circuit to the bank 2 intake cam oil control solenoid open, shorted to ground or shorted to voltage, so it stops commanding that phaser and leaves it in its default retarded position. Bank 1 keeps its variable timing, so the two banks now breathe slightly differently; on some engines you can feel a faint unevenness at idle, on most you simply lose a little torque. What sets bank 2 apart in practice is access: on many transverse V6 engines its solenoid or wiring sits at the back of the engine under the intake plenum, where earlier spark plug or gasket work often disturbs it. Since the fault is electrical, a meter and some methodical wiring checks usually find it.
Can I keep driving? Fine to drive in the meantime; nothing mechanical is being harmed. Plan the repair soon anyway, because the lit light will hide any new fault and the car will fail an emissions inspection.
How to read P0020
- P Powertrain
- 0 Generic (SAE)
- 0 Fuel/air & emissions (aux.)
- 20 Specific fault
Symptoms
- Check engine light with the engine running mostly normally
- Slightly uneven idle because the two banks run different intake timing
- A little less pull at low and mid rpm
- Code appearing right after rear spark plug, intake plenum or valve cover work
- Intermittent code on rough roads, typical of a loose connector
Possible causes
Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).
- Bank 2 solenoid connector left unlatched or damaged during plenum, spark plug or valve cover work
- Open or shorted coil in the bank 2 intake solenoid
- Harness chafed on a bracket or cooked near the exhaust crossover along the rear of the engine
- Shared fuse or relay feeding the VVT solenoids (check whether P0010 is also set)
- Oil wicking into the connector through a leaking solenoid
- PCM output driver failure
Diagnosis step by step
Work out where bank 2 is
Find cylinder 1 in service information; the other bank is bank 2. Then locate the bank 2 intake solenoid and note whether an engine cover, air intake duct or the upper plenum has to come off to reach it.
Tools: Flashlight, Screwdriver
Check the recent work history
Find out when the rear spark plugs, plenum or valve covers were last touched. A code that appeared within days of such work almost always traces back to a connector or a pinched wire rather than a failed part.
Tools: Flashlight
Swap the bank 1 and bank 2 intake solenoids
On most V engines both intake solenoids are the same part. Swap them and clear the code: if it returns as P0010 the solenoid is bad; if it stays P0020 the fault is in the bank 2 wiring or the PCM.
Tools: Screwdriver, OBD-II scanner
Measure at both ends of the circuit
Measure resistance across the solenoid pins, then measure again from the PCM connector with the solenoid plugged in. The two readings should be nearly identical; a much higher value at the PCM end means resistance hiding in the harness.
Tools: Multimeter
Check for shorts to ground and to voltage
With both ends unplugged, test each wire to ground and to battery positive. Continuity to ground on the control wire, or voltage on it with the key on, explains the code and can kill a new PCM driver if left unrepaired.
Tools: Multimeter
Verify with an actuator test
After the repair, clear the code, command the bank 2 intake cam with the scan tool and watch the actual angle follow. Both banks should respond in the same way.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Where the parts are
- 1Ignition coil
- 2Spark plug
- 3Fuel injector
- 4Camshaft sensor
- 5Crankshaft sensor
- 6Engine computer (ECM)
- 7Intake manifold
Repair options & costs
| Repair | DIY? | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Re-seat or replace the bank 2 solenoid connector | Yes | $0–$150 |
| Replace bank 2 intake oil control solenoid | No | $120–$400 |
| Repair harness along the rear of the engine | No | $150–$450 |
| Replace VVT solenoid fuse or relay | Yes | $10–$80 |
| PCM replacement with programming | No | $500–$1,400 |
Rough US estimates for parts and labor; shop rates vary by region. Not a quote.
Emissions / smog test impact
Will fail
An active P0020 keeps the check engine light on, and an OBD-II emissions test fails automatically. Once repaired, the car normally passes as soon as the monitors have run, which may take a few days of ordinary driving.
Frequently asked questions
Why does P0020 set but not P0010?
The two solenoids have separate control wires and usually separate connectors, so a fault in one circuit doesn't affect the other. P0020 alone points at the bank 2 solenoid, its plug or its own wire; if both set, look at the shared power supply.
Do I have to remove the intake manifold to reach the bank 2 solenoid?
On some transverse V6 engines, yes, at least the upper plenum. On others it sits at the front of the head and is easy to reach. Check a service manual or parts diagram first so you know which gaskets you'll need.
Can a dead solenoid on bank 2 damage the engine?
No. With the circuit dead the phaser stays locked in its base position, which is the safe default. The engine runs a little less efficiently but isn't at risk.
Is a budget replacement solenoid a good idea here?
Circuit codes sometimes return with low-cost solenoids whose coil resistance or connector fit differs from the original. When reaching the part means removing the plenum, the small saving isn't worth doing the job twice.
Sources
- SAE J2012 – Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions
- ISO 15031-6 – Road vehicles, diagnostic trouble code definitions (EOBD)
- Manufacturer public service information (cross-checked)
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