What P0010 means
The computer has found an electrical problem in the circuit of the solenoid that adjusts intake camshaft timing on bank 1, the side with cylinder 1. With the circuit down, the valve timing stays in its default position and the engine feels weaker. A failed solenoid or a bad connector, sometimes soaked with oil, is the usual cause.
How the engine computer detects it
The engine control module drives the oil control valve (a pulse-width modulated solenoid) of the variable valve timing on the intake camshaft on bank 1. It checks the electrical state of this output and sets the code when the circuit is open, or when the measured state does not match the command, for example because of a short. Camshaft adjustment is then disabled and the phaser stays in its locked rest position: the engine keeps running, but with less torque and higher consumption. Bank 1 is the cylinder bank that contains cylinder 1.
Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Less pulling power at low and medium engine speed
- Rough idle in some engines
- Slightly higher fuel consumption
Common causes
- Solenoid coil of the oil control valve open or shorted Most likely
- Connector corroded, loose or soaked with engine oil wicking through the valve Most likely
- Wiring harness chafed through or broken Possible
- Supply voltage missing, e.g. blown fuse Possible
- Output driver in the engine control module faulty Less likely
How to diagnose P0010
- With the ignition off, find the intake oil control valve (VVT solenoid) on bank 1, unplug it and check the connector for corrosion, bent pins or engine oil.
- Oil inside the connector usually comes through the valve itself. Replace the valve and clean or repair the connector, or the fault will return.
- Check the fuse that feeds the solenoid.
- Measure the solenoid's resistance with a multimeter and compare it with the service manual. An open or shorted coil means a new valve.
- If the intake and exhaust valves are identical, swap them. If the code changes to P0013, the valve is bad.
- If the valve and wiring test good, a shop can check the computer's output to the solenoid.
Vehicles that report P0010 most
| Vehicle | Years | Reports | Share | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox | 2010–2016 | 23 | 56k | |
| Hyundai Sonata | 2015–2016 | 10 | — | |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 2009–2014 | 5 | 130k | |
| Kia Optima | 2016–2017 | 5 | — | |
| GMC Terrain | 2014–2015 | 3 | — |
Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P0010 (58 in total), not failure rates: popular models get more complaints simply because more of them are on the road. Models with fewer than 3 complaints are left out.
Reading the code
- P
- Powertrain
- 0
- Generic (SAE) code
- 0
- Fuel and air metering, auxiliary emission controls
- 10
- Specific fault
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive with code P0010?
Usually yes, gently. The engine keeps running but has less power, mostly at low and medium speeds, and may idle rough. It isn't an emergency, but get the circuit fixed soon.
Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0010?
Probably not in states that test vehicles with an OBD-II scan: an emissions-related code that keeps the check engine light on is usually an automatic fail. Rules differ by state and county, so check yours.
Will P0010 clear by itself?
The light can go off after several drive cycles without the fault, but the code returns if the cause is still there. After a repair, the readiness monitors need a full drive cycle before an inspection.
Can I fix P0010 myself?
Often yes, with an OBD-II scanner and basic tools. Difficulty: medium. Start with the cheapest checks before replacing expensive parts.
Often reported together
Codes that owners mention in the same NHTSA complaints as P0010. They can point to a shared cause, so it's worth checking them together.
This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Repair costs are rough estimates for parts and labor and vary by vehicle and region.