Exhaust Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)
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.
- Keep driving?
- Yes, but fix soon
- DIY difficulty
- medium
- Estimated cost
- $80-$400
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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
-
Identify the exhaust camshaft OCV location (separate from intake OCV, usually near the cam cover).
-
Check for 12V supply and ground at OCV connector.
-
Measure OCV resistance (typically 6-8 ohms).
-
Command OCV with scan tool and monitor exhaust cam timing response.
-
Change engine oil if dirty before condemning the OCV.
Common Fixes by Vehicle
What techs usually find when diagnosing P0013 on specific vehicles — tap your vehicle for the fix and the exact part:
2008-2017 GM Ecotec 2.0L/2.4L (Malibu, Equinox, Terrain) moderate DIY
P0013 on GM Ecotec engines points to the exhaust camshaft actuator solenoid on bank 1. This solenoid is located at the back of the cylinder head and is harder to access than the intake side. Oil sludge blocking the solenoid screen is the most common cause. Replace the solenoid and change the oil. GM TSB #10-06-01-008 covers this issue. If the timing chain has stretched, P0013 may persist even with a new solenoid.
Labor: 45 min - 1 hour2011-2019 Hyundai Sonata/Santa Fe 2.4L moderate DIY
The exhaust-side oil control valve on Hyundai Theta II engines clogs with carbon and sludge. Symptoms include rough idle and poor acceleration in addition to the check engine light. Replace the exhaust OCV and clean the area around the mounting point. Inspect the timing chain for stretch while the valve cover is off -- Theta II engines are known for chain stretch at higher mileage.
Labor: 45 min - 1 hour2007-2016 BMW 3-Series/X3/X5 (N52/N54/N55) easy DIY
The exhaust VANOS solenoid on BMW N-series engines fails at similar rates to the intake side. Remove the exhaust VANOS solenoid from the rear of the cylinder head, clean it with brake cleaner, and check the O-ring seal. If the O-ring is swollen or cracked, replace the entire solenoid. Also verify the VANOS hub bolts are tight -- loose bolts cause intermittent cam timing codes.
Labor: 30-45 minFrequently 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.
Sources
This page is built from documented references. Verify against your own service info before repair work.
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