P0013 moderate

Exhaust Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)

What does P0013 mean?

The P0013 code means the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system has detected: Exhaust Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1). This is a moderate severity code.

Common Symptoms

  • Check Engine Light on
  • Rough idle
  • Loss of power
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Hard starting

Probable Causes (Ranked by Likelihood)

  • Faulty exhaust camshaft OCV Very High
  • Wiring fault to exhaust OCV High
  • Low or contaminated engine oil High
  • Failed exhaust cam actuator Moderate
  • PCM failure Low

Step-by-Step Diagnostic Procedure

  1. Identify the exhaust camshaft OCV location (separate from intake OCV, usually near the cam cover).

  2. Check for 12V supply and ground at OCV connector.

  3. Measure OCV resistance (typically 6-8 ohms).

  4. Command OCV with scan tool and monitor exhaust cam timing response.

  5. Change engine oil if dirty before condemning the OCV.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is P0013 the same as P0010?

No. P0010 affects the intake camshaft actuator circuit; P0013 affects the exhaust camshaft actuator circuit. Many modern engines have separate actuators for each camshaft.

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