Faulty intake valve control solenoid (bank 2) with an open or shorted internal coil; Damaged, corroded, or disconnected electrical connector at the solenoid; Broken or chafed wire in the solenoid control circuit, causing a short to ground or an open circuit; Low engine oil level or degraded oil affecting variable valve timing operation and solenoid response; Contaminated or clogged solenoid screen or oil passage restricting solenoid movement; PCM driver circuit fault or software issue (less common); Aftermarket or incorrect solenoid installed previously

DTC codes / P00xx · Fuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls / P0082

P0082Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low (Bank 2)

Q: What does code P0082 mean?

Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low (Bank 2). P0082 means the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected an abnormally low voltage or current on the intake valve control solenoid circuit for bank 2, which is the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder number one. The PCM commands the solenoid to adjust intake valve timing or lift, and the circuit feedback falls below the expected threshold, so the computer flags the circuit as low.

P0082 means the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected an abnormally low voltage or current on the intake valve control solenoid circuit for bank 2, which is the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder number one. The PCM commands the solenoid to adjust intake valve timing or lift, and the circuit feedback falls below the expected threshold, so the computer flags the circuit as low.

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, especially when cold
Reduced engine power or sluggish acceleration
Poor fuel economy compared to normal
Occasional engine misfire or hesitation under load
In some cases, the engine may enter limp mode or have difficulty starting

Common causes, most likely first

Faulty intake valve control solenoid (bank 2) with an open or shorted internal coil
Damaged, corroded, or disconnected electrical connector at the solenoid
Broken or chafed wire in the solenoid control circuit, causing a short to ground or an open circuit
Low engine oil level or degraded oil affecting variable valve timing operation and solenoid response
Contaminated or clogged solenoid screen or oil passage restricting solenoid movement
PCM driver circuit fault or software issue (less common)
Aftermarket or incorrect solenoid installed previously

How to diagnose and fix it

Check engine oil level and condition; top up or change oil if it is low or dirty
Inspect the bank 2 intake valve control solenoid connector for corrosion, loose pins, or damage; clean and reseat as needed
Measure resistance across the solenoid terminals and compare to the manufacturer's specification to check for an open or shorted coil
Test the control circuit from the PCM to the solenoid for continuity and short to ground using a wiring diagram
If the solenoid fails electrical tests, replace it with a quality OEM or equivalent part
Clear the diagnostic trouble codes and perform a road test to verify the repair; monitor live data for solenoid command and feedback
If the circuit tests good but the code persists, diagnose the PCM and consider reprogramming or replacement per manufacturer procedures

Oil quality and circuit checks before solenoid replacement

A low oil level or severely degraded oil is a frequent hidden cause of this code because variable valve timing solenoids rely on clean, pressurized oil to move internal spools; always verify oil condition before condemning the solenoid.
The code can set intermittently due to a chafed wire that only shorts when the engine moves under load, so a wiggle test of the harness while monitoring live data is often more revealing than a static resistance check.
Do not assume the solenoid itself is defective; a shorted or open circuit in the harness or a poor ground can produce the same low-voltage signal, and replacing the solenoid without testing the circuit often leads to a repeat failure.
Bank 2 refers to the cylinder bank that does not include cylinder number one, which is the opposite side on many V6 and V8 engines; misidentifying the bank can result in replacing the wrong solenoid.
After replacing the solenoid, some vehicles require a relearn or adaptation reset for the variable valve timing system, and skipping this step can leave the code stored or cause driveability issues.

Can I keep driving with P0082?

You can usually drive the vehicle short distances to a repair shop, but avoid aggressive acceleration or heavy loads because the engine may enter limp mode or suffer reduced power. If the check engine light begins flashing or the engine runs very poorly, stop driving and have the vehicle towed to prevent further 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.