What is the difference between P0010 and P0013?

P0010 is the intake cam actuator circuit on bank 1. P0013 is the exhaust cam actuator circuit on the same bank. Same system, different camshaft. The diagnosis steps are nearly identical.

My car has only one camshaft. Can it still throw P0013?

Not typically. P0013 applies to engines with variable timing on both intake and exhaust cams. Single-cam engines with VVT usually only produce P0010 and P0011 type codes.

Can I drive to the shop or should I tow?

Driving short distances is fine unless the car is stalling or idling very roughly. The engine runs in a fixed timing fallback mode, which is not ideal but not immediately dangerous.

Codes › P0013

P0013: The engine cannot control exhaust cam timing on the left side

"B" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)

Moderate severityCan you keep driving?

Yes, for short trips. Fuel economy and performance will suffer. If the car stalls or idles badly, have it looked at before driving farther. Do not defer this longer than a few days.

What it means

This code is the exhaust-cam version of P0010. Your engine moves both intake and exhaust cams independently to tune performance and emissions. P0013 means the computer sent a signal to the exhaust cam actuator solenoid on bank 1 and the circuit did not respond as expected. The fix is almost always the same as P0010: check oil condition, then test or replace the exhaust VVT solenoid. Because this is a circuit code, bad wiring is also a real possibility.

Common causes

Clogged or failed exhaust VVT solenoidSame sludge problem as intake cam codes. The exhaust solenoid is a separate part from the intake one.
Dirty or low engine oilOil condition affects all VVT actuators equally. Check this before replacing any parts.
Broken or corroded wiring at the solenoid connectorA cracked connector or chafed wire near the exhaust side is easy to miss and worth checking first.
Worn exhaust camshaft phaserPhasers on the exhaust cam wear with age and mileage, especially without regular oil changes.

What it costs

Exhaust VVT solenoid replacement$80 to $230
Wiring repair at solenoid$100 to $250
Exhaust camshaft phaser$450 to $1,100

Symptoms

Check engine light on
Rough idle
Reduced power during acceleration
Lower fuel economy
Possible hard start

What to do next

Start with an oil check. If oil is dark and overdue, change it and clear the code. If P0013 returns, inspect the connector at the exhaust cam solenoid for corrosion, then replace the solenoid if the wiring looks good. The solenoid is a bolt-in part costing $40 to $80 on most vehicles. Save phaser diagnosis for after you have ruled out the cheap parts.

Lewis shows live exhaust cam timing data alongside the code so you can tell whether the cam is stuck or just intermittently losing signal. Download Lewis.

Related codes

FAQ

What is the difference between P0010 and P0013?: P0010 is the intake cam actuator circuit on bank 1. P0013 is the exhaust cam actuator circuit on the same bank. Same system, different camshaft. The diagnosis steps are nearly identical.
My car has only one camshaft. Can it still throw P0013?: Not typically. P0013 applies to engines with variable timing on both intake and exhaust cams. Single-cam engines with VVT usually only produce P0010 and P0011 type codes.
Can I drive to the shop or should I tow?: Driving short distances is fine unless the car is stalling or idling very roughly. The engine runs in a fixed timing fallback mode, which is not ideal but not immediately dangerous.