Faulty bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid (open or shorted coil); Damaged or corroded wiring or connector at the solenoid; Engine oil sludge or debris clogging the solenoid screen or oil passages; Low engine oil level or degraded oil; Failed PCM driver for the solenoid circuit (rare); Mechanical binding of the exhaust camshaft phaser

DTC codes / P00xx · Fuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls / P0029

P0029Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 2)

P0029 indicates that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected an out-of-range or performance fault in the electrical circuit for the bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid, which is part of the variable valve timing system on the exhaust camshaft. The computer monitors the solenoid's commanded current and the resulting camshaft position, and it sets this code when the circuit's resistance or response does not match expected values.

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 engine misfire, especially when cold
Reduced engine power or sluggish acceleration
Poor fuel economy
Intermittent stalling or hesitation during acceleration

Common causes, most likely first

Faulty bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid (open or shorted coil)
Damaged or corroded wiring or connector at the solenoid
Engine oil sludge or debris clogging the solenoid screen or oil passages
Low engine oil level or degraded oil
Failed PCM driver for the solenoid circuit (rare)
Mechanical binding of the exhaust camshaft phaser

How to diagnose and fix it

Check engine oil level and condition; top off or change oil if needed
Inspect the solenoid connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, or loose pins
Measure the solenoid resistance with a multimeter and compare to specification
Test the solenoid circuit for power and ground with a test light or multimeter
Remove and clean the solenoid screen; replace if clogged or damaged
Swap the bank 2 exhaust solenoid with a known-good one to see if the code moves
If the circuit and solenoid test good, diagnose the PCM driver or camshaft phaser

Oil quality and solenoid screens matter

A clogged solenoid screen from neglected oil changes is one of the most common causes of this code, and cleaning it often resolves the issue without parts replacement.
The code can be set by a mechanical camshaft phaser problem even when the solenoid and wiring test perfectly, so do not overlook mechanical timing components.
Intermittent wiring faults at the connector can mimic a failed solenoid, so wiggle-test the harness while monitoring live data.
Using the wrong viscosity oil or extended oil change intervals can cause the solenoid to stick and set this code repeatedly.
A failing bank 2 exhaust solenoid may not produce noticeable driveability symptoms until the camshaft phaser defaults to a fixed position.

Can I keep driving with P0029?

You can usually drive the vehicle with this code, but avoid aggressive acceleration and heavy loads until it is repaired, as prolonged driving with a faulty variable valve timing system can lead to poor fuel economy and potential catalytic converter damage.

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.