GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

The camshaft position (CMP) actuator system enables the engine control module (ECM) to change the timing of the camshafts while the engine is operating. The CMP actuator solenoid signal from the ECM is pulse width modulated (PWM). The ECM controls the CMP actuator solenoid duty cycle by controlling the amount of solenoid ON time. The CMP actuator solenoid controls the advance or the retard of each camshaft. The CMP actuator solenoid controls the oil flow that applies the pressure to advance or retard the camshafts.

Ignition voltage is supplied directly to the CMP actuator solenoid. The ECM controls the solenoid by grounding the control circuit with a solid state device called a driver. If the ECM detects the desired camshaft position and the actual camshaft position angles are not within a calibrated value, this DTC sets.

DTC Descriptors

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTCs:

    • DTC P0011 Intake Camshaft Position (CMP) System Performance Bank 1
    • DTC P0014 Exhaust Camshaft Position (CMP) System Performance Bank 1
    • DTC P0021 Intake Camshaft Position (CMP) System Performance Bank 2
    • DTC P0024 Exhaust Camshaft Position (CMP) System Performance Bank 2

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • Before the ECM can report DTC P0011, P0014, P0021, or P0024 failed, DTCs P0010, P0013, P0020, P0023, P0341, P0342, P0343, P0346, P0347, P0348, P0366, P0367, P0368, P0391, P0392, P0393, P2088, P2089, P2090, P2091, P2092, P2093, P2094, and P2095 must run and pass.
    • DTCs P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0335, P0336, and P0338 are not set.
    • The engine speed is more than 500 RPM.
    • The engine must accelerate such that the CMP actuator system is commanded from the park position to the phased position. This is considered a cam control cycle. There must be a total of 4-10 cam control cycles for at least 2.5 seconds each in the phased position.
    • The engine is operating for approximately 1.8 seconds.
    • DTCs P0011, P0014, P0021, and P0024 runs continuously once the above conditions are met for more than 1 second.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The ECM detects the difference between the desired camshaft position and the actual camshaft position angles is more than 5 degrees.
        OR
    • The ECM detects the difference between the actual camshaft angle and the locked position angle is more than 1 degree.
    • The condition exists for more than 4 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 4 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

    • Use the J 35616-A/BT-8637 Connector Test Adapter Kit for any test that requires probing the ECM harness connector or a component harness connector.
    • The lower connector of the ECM is connector C1 and the upper connector of the ECM is connector C2. Refer to Engine Controls Component Views .
    • The engine oil condition has a major impact on the camshaft actuator system.
    • A low oil level condition may set this DTC. The engine may require an oil change. Inquire with the customer when the last oil change was performed. You may also monitor the Engine Oil Life parameter with a scan tool. Advise the customer an oil change may be required.
    • Inspect the engine for any recent engine mechanical repairs. An incorrectly installed camshaft, camshaft actuator, or timing chain can cause this DTC to set.
    • For an intermittent condition, refer to Intermittent Conditions .

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step determines if there is a condition with the CMP actuator system.

  2. This step is testing the ignition 1 voltage circuit of the CMP actuator solenoid for high resistance. If the voltage at the test lamp probe is not B+, there is a high resistance condition with the circuit.

  3. This step is testing the control circuit of the CMP actuator solenoid for high resistance. If the voltage at the test lamp probe is not less than the specified voltage, there is a high resistance condition with the circuit.

  4. This step isolates the condition. If the condition follows the CMP actuator solenoid, there is a condition with the solenoid.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Engine Control Module Connector End Views or Engine Controls Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

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Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

Important: The engine oil level and the oil pressure are critical to the correct operation of the camshaft position (CMP) actuator system. Verify that the engine has the correct oil level and the correct oil pressure before continuing with this diagnostic.

Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations and Oil Pressure Diagnosis and Testing for more information.

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Allow the engine to reach the normal operating temperature.
  3. Increase the engine speed to 2,000 RPM.
  4. Observe the appropriate CMP Angle Variance parameter with a scan tool.

Is the angle variance less than the specified value?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

  1. Observe the Freeze Frame/Failure Records for this DTC.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

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Go to Step 4

Go to Diagnostic Aids

4

  1. Allow the engine to idle.
  2. Observe the DTC Information with a scan tool.

Does the scan tool display that DTC P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0335, P0336, P0338, P0341, P0342, P0343, P0346, P0347, P0348, P0366, P0367, P0368, P0391, P0392, P0393, P0521, P0522, or P0523 failed this ignition?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the CMP actuator solenoid. Refer to the appropriate procedure:
  3. Measure the resistance of the camshaft actuator solenoid with a DMM.

Is the resistance within the specified range?

7-12 ohms

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 14

6

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Important: Use the J 35616-200 Test Lamp Kit for this test. If the J 35616-200 is not available, use a test lamp that measures more than 20 ohms.

  3. Connect a test lamp between the ignition 1 voltage circuit of the CMP actuator solenoid and the engine control module (ECM) housing.
  4. Measure the voltage between the probe of the test lamp and the ECM housing with a DMM. Refer to Measuring Voltage Drop .

Is the voltage at the specified value?

B+

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 13

7

    Important: Use the J 35616-200 for this test. If the J 35616-200 is not available, use a test lamp that measures more than 20 ohms.

  1. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit of the CMP actuator and battery positive.
  2. Command the appropriate CMP actuator solenoid ON with a scan tool.
  3. Important: The voltage must be measured at the control side of the circuit.

  4. Measure the voltage between the probe of the test lamp and the ECM housing with a DMM. Refer to Measuring Voltage Drop .
  5. Observe the voltage on the DMM while the CMP actuator solenoid is commanded ON.
  6. Exit the CMP actuator solenoid output control.

Is the voltage less than the specified value when commanded with a scan tool?

1 V

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

8

Test the control circuit of the CMP actuator solenoid for high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 12

9

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the CMP actuator solenoid. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 10

10

  1. Remove the CMP actuator solenoid.
  2. Inspect the CMP actuator solenoid and mounting area for the following conditions:
  3. • Torn, restricted, mis-positioned, or missing screens at the CMP actuator solenoid
    • Engine oil leaks between the oil sealing lands of the CMP actuator solenoid. Inspect the lands of the CMP actuator solenoid for nicks.
    • Oil seepage at the CMP actuator solenoid connector

Did you find a condition with the CMP actuator solenoid?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 11

11

  1. Swap the suspected CMP actuator solenoid with a CMP actuator solenoid that is operating correctly.
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Allow the engine to reach the normal operating temperature.
  4. Increase the engine speed to 2,000 RPM.
  5. Observe the appropriate CMP Angle Variance parameter with a scan tool.

Is the angle variance less than the specified value?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 16

12

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the ECM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 15

13

Repair the high resistance in the ignition 1 voltage circuit of the CMP actuator solenoid. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 17

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14

Replace the CMP actuator solenoid. Refer to the appropriate procedure:

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 17

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15

Replace the ECM. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 17

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16

Replace the CMP actuator. Refer to the appropriate procedure:

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 17

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17

  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 18

18

Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle

System OK