Contaminated or degraded engine oil causing the oil control valve (OCV) to stick; Faulty exhaust camshaft position (CMP) sensor or its wiring; Failed camshaft phaser (VVT actuator) due to wear or sludge; Restricted oil passages or a clogged oil control valve screen; Wiring issues such as open, short, or high resistance in the OCV or CMP circuits; PCM software calibration or internal fault (less common); Timing chain stretched or jumped a tooth (rare but possible)

DTC codes / P00xx · Fuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls / P0014

P0014Exhaust Camshaft Position - Over-Advanced (Bank 1)

Q: What does code P0014 mean?

Exhaust Camshaft Position - Over-Advanced (Bank 1). P0014 means the engine computer has detected that the exhaust camshaft on bank 1 is advanced further than the commanded target, based on the camshaft position sensor signal compared to the crankshaft position sensor. The powertrain control module (PCM) sets this code when the actual exhaust cam timing exceeds the desired advance by a calibrated threshold for a set time.

P0014 means the engine computer has detected that the exhaust camshaft on bank 1 is advanced further than the commanded target, based on the camshaft position sensor signal compared to the crankshaft position sensor. The powertrain control module (PCM) sets this code when the actual exhaust cam timing exceeds the desired advance by a calibrated threshold for a set time.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaFuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls

Symptoms you may notice

Illumination of the check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms
Rough idle or unstable engine speed, especially when cold
Reduced engine power or sluggish acceleration
Poor fuel economy or increased emissions
Engine may stall or hesitate during deceleration
In some cases, a rattling or ticking noise from the timing chain area

Common causes, most likely first

Contaminated or degraded engine oil causing the oil control valve (OCV) to stick
Faulty exhaust camshaft position (CMP) sensor or its wiring
Failed camshaft phaser (VVT actuator) due to wear or sludge
Restricted oil passages or a clogged oil control valve screen
Wiring issues such as open, short, or high resistance in the OCV or CMP circuits
PCM software calibration or internal fault (less common)
Timing chain stretched or jumped a tooth (rare but possible)

How to diagnose and fix it

Verify engine oil level and condition; change oil and filter if overdue or contaminated
Inspect the oil control valve (OCV) for sludge or debris; clean or replace as needed
Check the exhaust camshaft position sensor and its wiring for damage or corrosion
Test the OCV with a scan tool by commanding advance and observing cam timing response
Perform a mechanical timing check to ensure the timing chain is correctly aligned
Compare commanded versus actual cam timing using a scan tool to isolate electrical versus mechanical faults
If all else fails, consult factory service information for specific diagnostic procedures and PCM reprogramming

Oil quality and VVT screen checks

A sticking oil control valve caused by neglected oil changes is one of the most frequent triggers for P0014, so always inspect the valve and its screen before condemning the phaser.
The code can be set by a faulty camshaft position sensor that reports an advanced position even when the camshaft is mechanically correct, so compare sensor signals with a known-good waveform.
On some engines, a stretched timing chain can cause the exhaust cam to be over-advanced relative to the crankshaft, setting P0014 without any VVT component failure.
A dirty or restricted oil passage to the cam phaser can mimic a failed phaser, so oil pressure and flow to the phaser should be verified before replacement.
P0014 is often accompanied by other cam/crank correlation codes, so diagnosing the root cause requires looking at the entire timing system rather than just the exhaust cam.

Can I keep driving with P0014?

You can usually continue driving to a repair shop, but avoid aggressive acceleration and heavy loads because over-advanced exhaust cam timing can cause poor performance and increased emissions. If the engine runs rough or stalls, stop driving and seek immediate service.

Tools that help

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