What P0011 

The ECM/PCM detects that the intake cam (Bank 1, Cam “A”) is more advanced than it commanded. This can be electrical (OCV/VVT solenoid/wiring/ECM driver), hydraulic (oil pressure/viscosity/sludge), or mechanical (phaser stuck/chain jumped).

Symptoms

• Rough idle, hesitation, reduced power
  
  

• Rattling on start/warm idle (chain/phaser noise)
  
  

• Poor fuel economy, hard start, stalling
  
  

• Other related codes: P0010, P0012, P0013, P0014, correlation codes (P0016–P0019)
  
  

Likely trouble areas (complete checklist)

Oil / Hydraulic

• Low oil level, wrong viscosity, degraded/dirty oil
  
  

• Sludge blocking OCV filter screen or oil control passages
  
  

• Low oil pressure (worn pump, bearing clearances)
  
  

Mechanical

• Cam phaser stuck advanced or slow to return
  
  

• Stretched chain/jumped timing, worn guides/tensioner
  
  

• Incorrect cam/crank timing after service
  
  

Electrical / Control

• OCV (VVT solenoid) coil open/short, sticking spool
  
  

• OCV power feed fuse/relay/wiring faults
  
  

• ECM low-side driver or harness short to ground/voltage
  
  

• CMP/CKP sensor or wiring issues (affecting measured angle)
  
  

Tools you’ll need

• Bi-directional scan tool (VVT “Active Test” and live data)
  
  

• Quality DVOM; test light; noid light optional
  
  

• Oil pressure gauge set; mechanical timing tools
  
  

• Basic hand tools; inspection mirror; picks for OCV screen
  
  

• Oscilloscope (ideal for advanced waveforms, optional)
  
  

Safety + prep

• Verify engine oil level/grade and correct if wrong. If oil is old/dirty, perform an oil+filter change first. Many P0011 cases clear here.
  
  

• Warm engine to operating temp unless a cold-only issue is suspected.
  
  

Step-by-step troubleshooting (do these in order)

1) Confirm the fault and gather context

• Read codes and freeze-frame. Note RPM, ECT, oil temp, load, speed.
  
  

• Clear codes. Idle 5 minutes, rev gently to 2–3k; short road test. If P0011 resets, continue.
  
  

2) Oil & basic mechanical checks (fast wins)

• Oil level & grade: Top up; ensure OE-recommended viscosity.
  
  

• OCV filter screen: Remove OCV (Bank 1 intake). Inspect/clean the tiny mesh screen and the valve spool. Sludge = suspect hydraulic sticking.
  
  

• If heavily sludged, change oil/filter and consider engine flush procedure (as per OEM guidance).
  
  

3) Scan data: commanded vs actual cam angle

1. Watch Desired/Commanded Intake Cam Angle vs Actual (or VVT %).
   
   

2. At warm idle, commanded ≈ 0–5°; actual should track within ~±5°.
   
   

3. Snap throttle or perform “VVT Advance/Retard Active Test”:
   
   

   • If actual angle sticks high/slow to return, suspect phaser sticking or oil pressure/flow.
     
     

   • If actual does not move while the ECM commands, suspect OCV/wiring/driver.
     
     

4) Electrical tests at the OCV (VVT solenoid)

(Use KOEO = key on engine off unless noted)

1. Visual: Connector pins seated, no oil intrusion or corrosion.
   
   

2. OCV coil resistance: Typical ~6–14 Ω (spec varies—use OEM if available).
   
   

   • Out of spec → replace OCV.
     
     

3. B+ feed (OCV + pin): KOEO should read battery voltage.
   
   

   • If low/0V → check related fuse/relay and power feed wiring back to source.
     
     

4. ECM control (OCV − pin): With Active Test commanded, you should see PWM pulsing (often ~100–300 Hz).
   
   

   • Test light from B+ to control pin should blink when commanded.
     
     

   • No blink: check harness from OCV to ECM for open/short. If wiring OK, ECM driver may be faulty (rare; confirm with load test).
     
     

5) Harness integrity

1. Wiggle test harness from OCV to ECM and CMP/CKP runs while monitoring live data.
   
   

2. Voltage drop: With OCV energized (Active Test), measure drop on power and ground/control sides; excessive drop → repair terminals/wiring.
   
   

6) Oil pressure test (when behavior suggests hydraulic fault)

1. Install a mechanical oil pressure gauge.
   
   

2. Compare to spec at hot idle and 2,500 rpm.
   
   

   • Low pressure → fix root cause (pump, clearances, pickup blockage).
     
     

   • Normal pressure but P0011 persists → phaser or OCV sticking; timing review next.
     
     

7) Mechanical timing & phaser

1. If electrical & oil checks pass, inspect timing with proper locks/marks.
   
   

2. Look for stretched chain, worn guides/tensioner, or misindexed timing.
   
   

3. If chain/timing OK, replace the cam phaser (Bank 1 intake) if it’s slow/stuck advanced.
   
   

8) Finalize

1. Clear codes. Perform a drive cycle with steady cruise and a few accelerations.
   
   

2. Re-check for codes and ensure Desired vs Actual cam angle tracks.

Circuit diagram 

• Battery → Fuse/Relay → OCV (VVT+)
  
  

• ECM low-side driver → OCV (VVT−) PWM
  
  

• OCV oil passages → Cam Phaser
  
  

• CMP & CKP sensors → ECM (used for angle calculation)
  
  

• Grounds shown for ECM and return path

Common fixes that actually resolve P0011

• Oil & filter change with correct viscosity, plus cleaning/replacing a sludged OCV
  
  

• Replacing a sticking intake cam phaser
  
  

• Repairing OCV power feed or ECM driver harness faults
  
  

• Correcting jumped/stretched timing chain or failed tensioner