Generic fault code
P0020 — A camshaft position actuator A (bank 2), control circuit open
The control unit stores code P0020 when it detects this fault: “A camshaft position actuator A (bank 2), control circuit open”.
Indicative severity: MediumEngine (mechanical, cooling and lubrication)
Reviewed by Daniel Morales, founder of Reprorace SL, on
What does code P0020 mean?
The engine's mechanics, timing (camshaft and crankshaft), cooling and lubrication. Many of these codes check that the engine is in time and at the right temperature.
- System
- P · Powertrain
- Area
- Engine (mechanical, cooling and lubrication) · Car system: Engine and lubrication
- Type
- Generic (SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6): the same meaning on every make
- Indicative severity
- Medium. Diagnose soon: it may raise emissions or consumption, or trigger limp-home mode.
What usually causes code P0020?
- Incorrect fluid level or quality (oil, coolant, fuel, reductant)
- Damaged, chafed or pinched wiring
The most likely causes come first. Only a check on the car confirms which one is yours.
What are the symptoms of code P0020?
- Hard starting or an engine that will not start
- Stalling, jerking or loss of power
- Chain or timing noise, especially when cold
These are the usual symptoms of this kind of fault: not all of them always appear, and sometimes you notice nothing.
Can I keep driving with code P0020?
With care, and not for long. You can take the car to a workshop, ideally without long trips or heavy loads, and without putting it off: fuel use or emissions may rise and the car may go into limp-home mode (less power). If the light flashes, a red warning light comes on, the temperature rises or you notice a loss of power, noises or smoke, stop as soon as it is safe.
This is guidance only: only someone who checks the car can say whether it is safe to drive.
An indicative description of the code's generic meaning. Each manufacturer may give it a different meaning, conditions or tests: always follow its service information and your workshop's advice.
What you can do yourself
For this kind of fault
Variable valve timing depends on the oil: check the level and that the oil change is up to date. If the code is about crankshaft and camshaft correlation, do not let it slide: it may point to a stretched chain or belt.
Read the code and keep the report: with an ECO-LITE in the OBD socket you see it on your phone or computer, with the data captured when the fault happened.
Look for anything obvious: a loose connector, a disconnected hose, a fuel cap not closed properly or a low fluid level. Do not take apart anything you do not know.
Clear the code only after writing it down or after the repair. Clearing turns the light off, but it also deletes the freeze-frame data and the readiness monitors used at the inspection.
Drive normally for a few days and read the codes again. If the code comes back, the fault is still there: book the workshop and bring the report.
Read your car's fault codes on your phone
With an ECO-LITE in the OBD socket you see the codes in your account, with the data captured when the fault happened, and your workshop can check them remotely, always with your permission.
Related codes
- P001DA camshaft profile actuator A (bank 2), control circuit open
- P001EA camshaft profile actuator A (bank 2), control circuit: signal low
- P001FA camshaft profile actuator A (bank 2), control circuit: signal high
- P0021A camshaft position: timing over-advanced or system performance (bank 2)
- P0022A camshaft position: timing over-retarded (bank 2)
- P0023B camshaft position actuator A (bank 2), control circuit open
P00xx codes: fuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls
In the glossary
Read more: Remote OBD diagnostics: what it is, how it works and what it can't do