Worn or stretched timing chain, timing belt, or tensioner allowing the camshaft to lag the crankshaft; Failed variable valve timing (VVT) solenoid or dirty oil control valve on bank 1; Sludge or debris blocking the VVT oil passages, often from neglected oil changes; A jumped tooth on the timing chain or belt due to a failed tensioner or guide; Faulty bank 1 sensor B camshaft position sensor or damaged wiring to it; A crankshaft position sensor or reluctor wheel problem affecting the reference signal; Low engine oil pressure or the wrong oil viscosity preventing proper VVT phaser operation

DTC codes / P00xx · Fuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls / P0017

P0017Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B)

Q: What does code P0017 mean?

Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B). P0017 means the engine computer has compared the crankshaft position signal with the bank 1 sensor B camshaft position signal and found they do not stay in the expected mechanical relationship. The powertrain control module (PCM) sets this code when the correlation error exceeds its calibrated threshold, which points to a timing chain, belt, or variable valve timing fault rather than a simple sensor glitch.

P0017 means the engine computer has compared the crankshaft position signal with the bank 1 sensor B camshaft position signal and found they do not stay in the expected mechanical relationship. The powertrain control module (PCM) sets this code when the correlation error exceeds its calibrated threshold, which points to a timing chain, belt, or variable valve timing fault rather than a simple sensor glitch.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityHigh

Fix difficultyProfessional

AreaFuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls

Symptoms you may notice

Illumination of the check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms at first
Rough idle or engine misfire that may feel like a shake at stoplights
Reduced engine power or a limp-home mode triggered by the PCM
Hard starting or a crank that sounds different from normal
Poor fuel economy or increased exhaust emissions noticed over time
A rattle or ticking noise from the front of the engine on cold starts

Common causes, most likely first

Worn or stretched timing chain, timing belt, or tensioner allowing the camshaft to lag the crankshaft
Failed variable valve timing (VVT) solenoid or dirty oil control valve on bank 1
Sludge or debris blocking the VVT oil passages, often from neglected oil changes
A jumped tooth on the timing chain or belt due to a failed tensioner or guide
Faulty bank 1 sensor B camshaft position sensor or damaged wiring to it
A crankshaft position sensor or reluctor wheel problem affecting the reference signal
Low engine oil pressure or the wrong oil viscosity preventing proper VVT phaser operation

How to diagnose and fix it

Check engine oil level and condition, then verify oil pressure with a mechanical gauge if the level is correct
Scan all modules for stored and pending codes, and record freeze-frame data for P0017 and any companion codes
Inspect the bank 1 sensor B camshaft position sensor and its wiring for damage, corrosion, or loose connectors
Command the VVT solenoid with a scan tool and listen for activation, then remove and clean or test the solenoid
Verify mechanical timing by aligning the crankshaft and camshaft timing marks per the manufacturer's procedure
Perform a compression test and cylinder leak-down test to rule out mechanical damage before teardown
Replace the timing chain, belt, tensioner, and guides as a set if timing verification shows a jump or stretch

What the correlation code really tells you

A stretched timing chain on many engines sets P0017 long before the driver hears any rattle, so the code is often the first warning of a mechanical problem.
Technicians who replace the camshaft sensor first usually see the code return because the sensor is reporting a real mechanical misalignment, not a false signal.
Dirty oil or a clogged VVT solenoid screen can mimic a worn chain, so always verify oil condition and solenoid operation before condemning internal engine parts.
On some engines, a weak battery or voltage drop during cranking can corrupt the cam-crank correlation learning and set P0017 without any mechanical fault.
P0017 is bank 1 sensor B specific, so on V6 and V8 engines the same fault on the other bank will set a different code and should not be diagnosed with this one.

Can I keep driving with P0017?

Limit driving to a short distance to a repair shop because a jumped or stretched timing chain can cause valve-to-piston contact and catastrophic engine damage. Avoid hard acceleration and high RPM until the fault is diagnosed.

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.