01 Engineers Created Paint That Can Literally Generate Electri… • 02 This Is Why Your Car’s Door Locks Keep Flickering • 03 Gearing Up: How Cetane Numbers Boost Your Diesel Engine's P… • 04 Experts Warn That A Small Everyday Driving Mistake Could En… • 05 Mechanic's Secret: The Foolproof Way to Identify Oxygen Sen… • 06 End of an Era: Subaru Legacy Announces Farewell After 36 Ye… • 07 The Hidden Reason Engines Struggle To Idle Smoothly Before … • 08 This Is Why Your Car’s Brakes Grind When Stopping • 09 This Is Why Your Car’s Headrest Is A Safety Tool • 10 How to Diagnose a Car That Won't Start In 6 Easy Steps •

DTC codes / P00xx · Fuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls / P002A

P002AB Camshaft Profile Actuator A Control Circuit/Open Bank 1

P002A indicates that the powertrain control module has detected an open circuit in the control wiring for the Bank 1 B camshaft profile actuator, which is the solenoid or motor that changes valve lift or duration on that bank. The computer commands the actuator to move, but the electrical feedback on the control circuit does not match the expected voltage or current, so it flags the circuit as open.

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 operation when the actuator is commanded to change profile
  • Reduced engine power or a limp-home mode triggered by the control module
  • Poor fuel economy or increased emissions due to incorrect valve timing
  • In rare cases, a no-start condition if the actuator circuit fault disables the variable valve timing system entirely

Common causes, most likely first

  1. Broken or chafed wire in the actuator control circuit, often near the connector or where the harness flexes
  2. Corroded, loose, or disconnected electrical connector at the camshaft profile actuator
  3. Failed camshaft profile actuator solenoid or motor winding (open internal circuit)
  4. Open circuit inside the powertrain control module driver for that actuator
  5. Rodent damage or pinched harness causing an open in the control wire
  6. Poor ground connection for the actuator circuit, though less common than a positive-side open

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Connect a scan tool and verify P002A is current, then command the Bank 1 B camshaft profile actuator on and off while watching live data for circuit status or actuator position
  2. Visually inspect the actuator connector and the harness routing for corrosion, loose pins, or obvious damage, and repair any connector issue first
  3. Measure resistance across the actuator solenoid or motor terminals and compare to the manufacturer's specification to rule out an open winding
  4. Backprobe the control circuit at the actuator and at the powertrain control module to check for continuity and identify where the open exists
  5. Check for voltage on the control wire with the key on and the actuator commanded, confirming the driver is outputting a signal
  6. Repair the open wire or replace the actuator as indicated by the tests, then clear the code and verify the circuit passes a full drive cycle
  7. If the circuit is intact to the module but no output is present, diagnose the powertrain control module driver or internal fault

What the open circuit really means

  • An open circuit code does not automatically mean the actuator has failed; a broken wire or backed-out terminal in the connector is just as common and far cheaper to fix.
  • The camshaft profile actuator on some engines is a two-wire solenoid while on others it is a three-phase motor, so resistance and voltage tests must follow the specific service information for that design.
  • A loose or corroded ground for the actuator circuit can mimic an open on the control side, so always verify the ground path before condemning the module or the actuator.
  • This code can set intermittently from a harness that rubs only during certain engine movements, so a wiggle test of the harness while watching live data often reveals the fault location.
  • Do not replace the powertrain control module until every wire and connector in the circuit has been proven good, because module drivers rarely fail without a short or external damage.

Can I keep driving with P002A?

You can usually drive the vehicle short distances to a repair shop, but avoid heavy acceleration or sustained high speeds because the engine may enter limp mode or run with incorrect valve timing. If the engine runs very poorly or stalls, stop driving and have it towed.

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

Running on fumes Free guides aren't free to make. Top up the tank. Any amount, one time. Fuel the Garage