P0012 code

Hi guys, I have a check engine light on so I had it tested and it is throwing a p0012 cam sensor code. I took it in granted it runs good just a little sluggish I guess. The shop says they will have to take the valve cover off to check the cam to see if it could be timing belt. My question is could I not just replace the sensor and hope it fixes the problem or they quoted my $4k for a timing belt replacement which I think is astronomical? Has anyone else have this issue? I would appreciate your knowledge. Thank you, Aaron

 

What engine?
How many miles?
Have you checked your oil?
Oil change history?

2nd gen engines don't use a timing belt, both engines have timing chains.

The most common cause of that code is the oil control valve sticking but low oil, dirty oil, low oil pressure, clogged VVT screens, failing cam phasers, or a stretched/jumped timing chain can also cause it.

 

Thanks for your reply, it has 167k. Miles and I just purchased it a week ago and appeared the oil had not been changed in a bit. I did put full synthetic in to hopefully clean it up a bit. Thanks for your advise. I will check that out. Just does not feel like a timing chain issue to me because it would be running rough? Thanks again! Aaron

 

Never darken the door of that den of theives again

 

These engines don't have too many issues with timing chain stretch unless oil changes were severely neglected over a long period of time.
The oil control valves sticking is much more common than a stretched chain.
What engine do you have, the 2.7L 4cyl or 4.0L V6?

 

I always cringe when a shop quotes a timing chain repair over the phone without even trouble shooting anything, they shouldn't be doing that.

But also, customers shouldn't be asking for a worst case price just because they have a code. Puts the shop in a position where they have to over-quote because they don't know the situation thats actually going on with the vehicle

Judge the shop by their ability to correctly diagnose the issue, not their ability to sound cheaper than the next place.

Just my 2 cents, carry on..

 

When I get p0012/16 I run VVTI tests, as long as I have full control over the cams I'm confident its chains.

I don't graph the sensors like I should but I have the experience with them.

The big thing is if the screen is plugged, valves are sticking or controllers not working, it will show on the active test.

 

I think I'd still verify cam/crank correlation with a scope before calling the chain but yea a VVT test with a scan tool will reveal most problems with the VVT system.

 

The other problem we have is lets say its slightly out of correlation. Ideally you'd pull both OCV's and screens, clean and send it on its way to see how it fairs.

I'm expected to solve it no matter what. When I worked at indie I could communicate strategies, but at dealer level people want absolutes.

Similar to cats, chain stretching codes won't always trigger and they can stay off for months. But man, even a year later I'm expected to stand by my choices lol.

 

Wish our dealers here were like that, they just fire parts at it, charge people for it, and send them on their way. If it's not fixed try again until the customer is fed up with them or it's fixed, same thing with the majority of independent shops around here.

 

That ECU diag I shared I lost my ass. I didnt even quote the customer until I was certain of fault.

But ya, lets say I was wrong about the chain? I'd eat it until it was fixed.

Our shop is pretty good, dealers still have issues, but thats the nature of profit driven anything.