Broken or chafed wire in the actuator control circuit, often near the connector or where the harness bends; Corroded or loose electrical connector at the camshaft position actuator solenoid; Failed camshaft position actuator solenoid with an open internal coil; Open circuit inside the engine control module (DME) driver for that actuator; Oil contamination or sludge blocking the actuator, causing the solenoid to overheat and fail open; Damaged wiring harness from rodent damage or previous repair work

DTC codes / BMW codes / P1560

P1560 · BMWB Camshaft Position Actuator Control Open Circuit Bank 1

Q: What does code P1560 mean?

B Camshaft Position Actuator Control Open Circuit Bank 1. P1560 on BMW vehicles indicates that the engine control module (DME) has detected an open circuit in the control wiring for the bank 1 B camshaft position actuator, which is the variable valve timing solenoid responsible for adjusting the intake or exhaust camshaft on that bank. The computer commands a duty cycle to move the actuator, but the expected electrical current is not present, so it flags the circuit as open and disables the variable valve timing function.

P1560 on BMW vehicles indicates that the engine control module (DME) has detected an open circuit in the control wiring for the bank 1 B camshaft position actuator, which is the variable valve timing solenoid responsible for adjusting the intake or exhaust camshaft on that bank. The computer commands a duty cycle to move the actuator, but the expected electrical current is not present, so it flags the circuit as open and disables the variable valve timing function.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeBMW specific

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaVehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs

Symptoms you may notice

Illumination of the check engine light, often with no other symptoms besides the warning light
Rough idle or unstable engine operation, especially when cold
Reduced engine power and poor acceleration due to disabled variable valve timing
Increased fuel consumption and higher exhaust emissions
Occasional stalling or hesitation when coming to a stop
A noticeable rattle or ticking noise from the front of the engine if the actuator is stuck

Common causes, most likely first

Broken or chafed wire in the actuator control circuit, often near the connector or where the harness bends
Corroded or loose electrical connector at the camshaft position actuator solenoid
Failed camshaft position actuator solenoid with an open internal coil
Open circuit inside the engine control module (DME) driver for that actuator
Oil contamination or sludge blocking the actuator, causing the solenoid to overheat and fail open
Damaged wiring harness from rodent damage or previous repair work

How to diagnose and fix it

Clear the code and perform a road test to confirm it returns, then check for any related pending codes
Visually inspect the actuator connector and wiring for corrosion, loose pins, or chafing, and repair as needed
Measure the resistance of the camshaft position actuator solenoid with a multimeter and compare to BMW specifications
Backprobe the actuator control circuit at the DME connector and check for continuity and short to ground or power
Command the actuator with a BMW-capable scan tool and observe current draw and camshaft timing response
If the circuit and solenoid test good, check for mechanical binding in the camshaft adjuster unit and oil sludge
Replace the faulty actuator solenoid or repair the wiring, clear the code, and verify the variable valve timing operates correctly

Before you replace the camshaft actuator

A loose or corroded connector at the actuator solenoid is far more common than a failed solenoid itself, so always inspect and clean the pins before condemning the part.
The DME driver for the actuator can fail open, especially if the solenoid coil shorted previously, so check for a shorted coil before installing a new solenoid to avoid repeat failure.
Oil sludge or a restricted oil passage can cause the actuator to stick and overheat, leading to an open coil; ignoring the mechanical cause will result in the new part failing quickly.
This code does not always mean the actuator is faulty; a broken wire inside the harness loom near the engine lifting eye or under the intake manifold is a known BMW weak point.
After repairs, the DME may need a adaptation reset or a short drive cycle before the variable valve timing learns its new end stops and the light stays off.

Can I keep driving with P1560?

You can drive the vehicle short distances to a repair shop, but avoid sustained high-speed driving or heavy loads because the disabled variable valve timing can cause poor performance and increased emissions. If the engine runs roughly or stalls, stop driving and have it towed to prevent further damage.

Tools that help

Tools we recommend are in the Auto Veteran shop on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Guidance is general and written for BMW vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.