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Home / DTC / P0020 — A Camshaft Position Actuator A Control Circuit/Open Bank 2

P0020 — A Camshaft Position Actuator A Control Circuit/Open Bank 2

Detailed page for trouble code P0020.

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22,491specific
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Code

P0020

Generic P — Powertrain

A Camshaft Position Actuator A Control Circuit/Open Bank 2

Brand: Generic
Type: P — Powertrain
AI status
Completed
ready
Completed 100%
Page language: EN

Causes

  • Open or broken wiring in the actuator control circuit
  • Corroded/loose connector or poor pin contact at the actuator
  • Failed camshaft position actuator (solenoid/phaser)
  • Blown fuse or faulty relay supplying the circuit
  • PCM/ECM internal fault or damaged driver transistor
  • Low engine oil pressure, contaminated oil, or wrong oil viscosity causing phaser to stick

Symptoms

  • Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL/Check Engine) illuminated
  • Reduced engine performance or limp mode in some vehicles
  • Rough idle, hesitation or misfire on affected bank
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Engine may run noisier or have increased vibration
  • Possible difficulty starting or stalling in severe cases

What to check

  • Read stored codes and freeze-frame data with a scan tool; note engine speed, temp, oil temp/pressure if available
  • Check for related cam/crank correlation codes (P0016, P0021, etc.)
  • Visually inspect wiring and connectors at the Bank 2 actuator for damage, corrosion, or looseness
  • Check relevant fuses and relays for the timing/PCM circuits
  • Backprobe the actuator connector while commanding the actuator with a scan tool to confirm presence/absence of control signal
  • Measure actuator coil resistance with harness disconnected

Signal parameters

  • Typical actuator coil resistance: often ~6–40 ohms (manufacturer-specific) — compare to spec
  • Control signal type: PWM (pulse-width modulated) command from PCM; duty cycle 0–100% when commanded
  • Expected control voltage: 0–12 V depending on system (many use switched battery + and PCM ground or PCM switched +) — confirm with vehicle manual
  • Expected PWM frequency: commonly 30–200 Hz (varies by manufacturer)
  • When not commanded: circuit may read battery voltage or ~0 V depending on circuit design; open circuit will show infinite resistance

Diagnostic algorithm

  1. Connect a competent scan tool and confirm P0020 is current or stored; clear code and attempt to re-run to verify reproducibility.
  2. Visually inspect Bank 2 cam actuator connector and wiring harness for chafing, pin damage, corrosion, or signs of oil contamination.
  3. Check related fuses and relays; replace if faulty.
  4. With ignition ON (engine OFF) measure voltage at actuator connector power terminal and ground terminal. Compare to battery voltage and expected ground reference.
  5. Disconnect the actuator and measure coil resistance (ohmmeter) between its terminals. If open (infinite) or out of spec, replace actuator.
  6. Backprobe the control lead while commanding the actuator ON/OFF with the scan tool or using a lab bench PWM generator (engine OFF) to verify PCM output and actuator response.
  7. If no command signal from PCM but wiring is intact, check continuity from PCM pin to actuator connector. Repair any open/shorts in harness.
  8. Inspect oil level/condition; if oil is low, dirty, or wrong viscosity, service oil and filter then retest. Some systems require proper oil pressure to move phasers.
  9. If wiring, connector and actuator are good but no control from PCM, test PCM driver output circuit and grounds. If PCM output is faulty, consider PCM replacement or repair.
  10. After repair, clear codes and perform camshaft adaptation/relearn procedure if required by manufacturer; road test and re-scan.
  11. If intermittent, perform wiggle tests and consider using a scope to capture transient signals; consult vehicle-specific service information for exact test values and pinouts.

Likely causes

  • Damaged wiring or connector to the Bank 2 actuator (most common)
  • Failed actuator/solenoid (stuck open or open coil)
  • Corroded connector pins or water ingress at connector
  • Blown related fuse or bad ground
  • PCM driver fault (less common)

Fault status

⚠️ Status
Camshaft Position Actuator A Control Circuit/Open — Bank 2. PCM detected an open/high-resistance condition preventing control of the Bank 2 camshaft timing actuator.
🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium
⏱️ Diagnostic time: 1-3 hours

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Code

P0020

LAND ROVER P — Powertrain

Actuator position circuit camshaft (bank 2)

Brand: LAND ROVER
Type: P — Powertrain
AI status
Completed
ready
Completed 100%
Page language: EN

Causes

  • Open or broken wiring in the actuator control circuit
  • Corroded/loose connector or poor pin contact at the actuator
  • Failed camshaft position actuator (solenoid/phaser)
  • Blown fuse or faulty relay supplying the circuit
  • PCM/ECM internal fault or damaged driver transistor
  • Low engine oil pressure, contaminated oil, or wrong oil viscosity causing phaser to stick

Symptoms

  • Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL/Check Engine) illuminated
  • Reduced engine performance or limp mode in some vehicles
  • Rough idle, hesitation or misfire on affected bank
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Engine may run noisier or have increased vibration
  • Possible difficulty starting or stalling in severe cases

What to check

  • Read stored codes and freeze-frame data with a scan tool; note engine speed, temp, oil temp/pressure if available
  • Check for related cam/crank correlation codes (P0016, P0021, etc.)
  • Visually inspect wiring and connectors at the Bank 2 actuator for damage, corrosion, or looseness
  • Check relevant fuses and relays for the timing/PCM circuits
  • Backprobe the actuator connector while commanding the actuator with a scan tool to confirm presence/absence of control signal
  • Measure actuator coil resistance with harness disconnected

Signal parameters

  • Typical actuator coil resistance: often ~6–40 ohms (manufacturer-specific) — compare to spec
  • Control signal type: PWM (pulse-width modulated) command from PCM; duty cycle 0–100% when commanded
  • Expected control voltage: 0–12 V depending on system (many use switched battery + and PCM ground or PCM switched +) — confirm with vehicle manual
  • Expected PWM frequency: commonly 30–200 Hz (varies by manufacturer)
  • When not commanded: circuit may read battery voltage or ~0 V depending on circuit design; open circuit will show infinite resistance

Diagnostic algorithm

  1. Connect a competent scan tool and confirm P0020 is current or stored; clear code and attempt to re-run to verify reproducibility.
  2. Visually inspect Bank 2 cam actuator connector and wiring harness for chafing, pin damage, corrosion, or signs of oil contamination.
  3. Check related fuses and relays; replace if faulty.
  4. With ignition ON (engine OFF) measure voltage at actuator connector power terminal and ground terminal. Compare to battery voltage and expected ground reference.
  5. Disconnect the actuator and measure coil resistance (ohmmeter) between its terminals. If open (infinite) or out of spec, replace actuator.
  6. Backprobe the control lead while commanding the actuator ON/OFF with the scan tool or using a lab bench PWM generator (engine OFF) to verify PCM output and actuator response.
  7. If no command signal from PCM but wiring is intact, check continuity from PCM pin to actuator connector. Repair any open/shorts in harness.
  8. Inspect oil level/condition; if oil is low, dirty, or wrong viscosity, service oil and filter then retest. Some systems require proper oil pressure to move phasers.
  9. If wiring, connector and actuator are good but no control from PCM, test PCM driver output circuit and grounds. If PCM output is faulty, consider PCM replacement or repair.
  10. After repair, clear codes and perform camshaft adaptation/relearn procedure if required by manufacturer; road test and re-scan.
  11. If intermittent, perform wiggle tests and consider using a scope to capture transient signals; consult vehicle-specific service information for exact test values and pinouts.

Likely causes

  • Damaged wiring or connector to the Bank 2 actuator (most common)
  • Failed actuator/solenoid (stuck open or open coil)
  • Corroded connector pins or water ingress at connector
  • Blown related fuse or bad ground
  • PCM driver fault (less common)

Fault status

⚠️ Status
Camshaft Position Actuator A Control Circuit/Open — Bank 2. PCM detected an open/high-resistance condition preventing control of the Bank 2 camshaft timing actuator.
🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium
⏱️ Diagnostic time: 1-3 hours

Similar codes

P0010 P0011 P0021 P0022 P0014 P0016
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LAND ROVER

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