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Home / DTC / P0021 — A Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance Bank 2

P0021 — A Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance Bank 2

Detailed page for trouble code P0021.

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Code

P0021

Generic P — Powertrain

A Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance Bank 2

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

Causes

  • Faulty or stuck oil control valve (VVT solenoid) on Bank 2
  • Low engine oil level, degraded oil, or insufficient oil pressure
  • Clogged oil passages or filter affecting VVT oil feed
  • Worn, stretched or jumped timing chain/belt or incorrect timing installation
  • Failed or mispositioned camshaft phaser (actuator)
  • Faulty camshaft position sensor or crankshaft position sensor

Symptoms

  • Check Engine Light (MIL) illuminated
  • Rough idle or unstable idle
  • Reduced engine power, hesitation, or poor throttle response
  • Increased fuel consumption and higher emissions
  • Hard starting or stalling in some cases
  • Engine noise (rattling or ticking) if timing chain components are worn

What to check

  • Read/record the stored codes and freeze-frame data; check for related codes
  • Verify proper engine oil level, oil condition and service history
  • Visually inspect wiring and connectors for VVT solenoid and cam/crank sensors
  • Scan tool: monitor camshaft and crankshaft position sensors and VVT command/feedback
  • Check oil pressure (static and at idle) if available
  • Listen for abnormal timing chain or phaser noise

Signal parameters

  • Camshaft position sensor: typical 0–5 V digital/square-wave or hall/sinusoidal waveform depending on sensor type
  • Crankshaft position sensor: stable reference waveform used to compare cam/crank phase
  • Expected cam/crank phase correlation: specific cam advance angle relative to crank (varies by engine) — significant deviation triggers code
  • VVT solenoid command vs. feedback: ECM pulses or varies duty cycle to achieve target cam angle; stuck solenoid shows no change in cam phase when commanded
  • Response time: cam phase should change within seconds of VVT command under proper oil pressure

Diagnostic algorithm

  1. Verify code and related codes; record freeze frame and clear codes, then perform a drive cycle to see if code returns.
  2. Check oil level and condition; correct level and replace oil/filter if dirty or overdue.
  3. Inspect electrical connectors and wiring for VVT solenoid and cam/crank sensors; repair any damage.
  4. Using a scan tool, command VVT solenoid while monitoring camshaft position correlation; observe whether cam timing follows commands.
  5. Test VVT solenoid electrical function (resistance, supply voltage, ground switching). Remove and inspect solenoid for sticking or contamination.
  6. Check oil pressure at idle and at higher RPM; confirm adequate oil flow to VVT system.
  7. If VVT solenoid and oil pressure are good but timing incorrect, inspect timing chain/belt, tensioner, and cam phaser for wear or jump. Verify timing marks and mechanical alignment.
  8. Use an oscilloscope to compare cam and crank sensor waveforms for phase shift and sensor signal integrity if available.
  9. Replace the faulty component(s) identified (VVT solenoid, cam phaser, cam/crank sensor, timing chain/tensioner) and clear codes.
  10. Relearn procedures: perform any required cam/crank relearn or ECM adaptations and confirm repair with test drive and re-scan.

Likely causes

  • VVT oil control valve on Bank 2 is sticking or electrically faulty
  • Low or contaminated engine oil causing improper VVT actuation
  • Mechanical timing slip (timing chain jumped or phaser failure)
  • Camshaft position sensor providing incorrect signal or intermittent
  • Oil passages to the phaser are blocked (carbon or sludge)

Fault status

⚠️ Status
MIL ON — Camshaft timing for Bank 2 is over-advanced or system performance out of range. Freeze frame stored. Further diagnosis required before repair.
🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium
⏱️ Diagnostic time: 2-4 hours

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Code

P0021

LAND ROVER P — Powertrain

Camshaft position timing admission - advanced (bank 2)

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

Causes

  • Faulty or stuck oil control valve (VVT solenoid) on Bank 2
  • Low engine oil level, degraded oil, or insufficient oil pressure
  • Clogged oil passages or filter affecting VVT oil feed
  • Worn, stretched or jumped timing chain/belt or incorrect timing installation
  • Failed or mispositioned camshaft phaser (actuator)
  • Faulty camshaft position sensor or crankshaft position sensor

Symptoms

  • Check Engine Light (MIL) illuminated
  • Rough idle or unstable idle
  • Reduced engine power, hesitation, or poor throttle response
  • Increased fuel consumption and higher emissions
  • Hard starting or stalling in some cases
  • Engine noise (rattling or ticking) if timing chain components are worn

What to check

  • Read/record the stored codes and freeze-frame data; check for related codes
  • Verify proper engine oil level, oil condition and service history
  • Visually inspect wiring and connectors for VVT solenoid and cam/crank sensors
  • Scan tool: monitor camshaft and crankshaft position sensors and VVT command/feedback
  • Check oil pressure (static and at idle) if available
  • Listen for abnormal timing chain or phaser noise

Signal parameters

  • Camshaft position sensor: typical 0–5 V digital/square-wave or hall/sinusoidal waveform depending on sensor type
  • Crankshaft position sensor: stable reference waveform used to compare cam/crank phase
  • Expected cam/crank phase correlation: specific cam advance angle relative to crank (varies by engine) — significant deviation triggers code
  • VVT solenoid command vs. feedback: ECM pulses or varies duty cycle to achieve target cam angle; stuck solenoid shows no change in cam phase when commanded
  • Response time: cam phase should change within seconds of VVT command under proper oil pressure

Diagnostic algorithm

  1. Verify code and related codes; record freeze frame and clear codes, then perform a drive cycle to see if code returns.
  2. Check oil level and condition; correct level and replace oil/filter if dirty or overdue.
  3. Inspect electrical connectors and wiring for VVT solenoid and cam/crank sensors; repair any damage.
  4. Using a scan tool, command VVT solenoid while monitoring camshaft position correlation; observe whether cam timing follows commands.
  5. Test VVT solenoid electrical function (resistance, supply voltage, ground switching). Remove and inspect solenoid for sticking or contamination.
  6. Check oil pressure at idle and at higher RPM; confirm adequate oil flow to VVT system.
  7. If VVT solenoid and oil pressure are good but timing incorrect, inspect timing chain/belt, tensioner, and cam phaser for wear or jump. Verify timing marks and mechanical alignment.
  8. Use an oscilloscope to compare cam and crank sensor waveforms for phase shift and sensor signal integrity if available.
  9. Replace the faulty component(s) identified (VVT solenoid, cam phaser, cam/crank sensor, timing chain/tensioner) and clear codes.
  10. Relearn procedures: perform any required cam/crank relearn or ECM adaptations and confirm repair with test drive and re-scan.

Likely causes

  • VVT oil control valve on Bank 2 is sticking or electrically faulty
  • Low or contaminated engine oil causing improper VVT actuation
  • Mechanical timing slip (timing chain jumped or phaser failure)
  • Camshaft position sensor providing incorrect signal or intermittent
  • Oil passages to the phaser are blocked (carbon or sludge)

Fault status

⚠️ Status
MIL ON — Camshaft timing for Bank 2 is over-advanced or system performance out of range. Freeze frame stored. Further diagnosis required before repair.
🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium
⏱️ Diagnostic time: 2-4 hours

Similar codes

P0011 P0014 P0022 P0016 P0340
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LAND ROVER

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