It can be triggered by a faulty camshaft actuator, failed VVT solenoid, damaged timing components, and circuit issues. Low engine oil levels, oil contamination, and issues with the PCM can also trigger the code.
It's caused by a bad or failing camshaft variable timing solenoid, low engine oil levels, incompatible engine oil, and others. Some of the P0012 code symptoms include an illuminated check engine light, engine struggles, poor idling, and more.
Due to the manufacturing processes, repairing a camshaft is not often advisable. While some high-performance engines use camshafts that are repairable, it's not really cost effective or practical for the average car on the road. Instead, if your car needs a new camshaft, replacing it with a new one is the best choice.
The average cost for a Camshaft Replacement is between $1,430 and $1,664. Labor costs are estimated between $896 and $1,130 while parts are priced between $534 and $534.
If the engine timing of the cam is off, your car will either be running rough or not at all. If the ignition timing is the problem, it isn't as easy to notice because it has four cycles: Intake valve sucks in air while fuel is delivered by the injectors. The fuel mixture is reduced.
If the timing belt is worn out with cracks; if it's too lose or too tight, or it's misaligned, your car will let you know. It will let you know once you start the car and the spark plug doesn't ignite. It will let you know once the ignition timing causes the engine to rattle or has a rough go at starting.
First things first: if you have a bad camshaft, it's best to stop driving your vehicle. Engine issues are some of the most expensive to fix, so you want to avoid any further costly damage. Thankfully, getting a replacement camshaft that fits your car is easy with CarParts.com.
If you ignore the symptoms listed here and your camshaft position sensor fails, your vehicle will not start. As a camshaft position sensor weakens, so does the data it transmits to the ECM. Eventually the data signal becomes so weak the ECM switches off fuel and spark delivery, and your engine will not start.
The camshaft position sensor on a car is built to last as long as the car does, but in most cases it will have to be replaced well before that. Just like any other sensor or switch on a car, the camshaft position sensor will take a lot of abuse due to the heat that the engine produces.
A worn timing belt will affect your engine's starting speed as it is attached to the pulleys that drive the crankshaft. Eventually, the belt can slip on the camshaft drive causing the engine cylinder to open and close at the wrong time.
Car Will Not Start: Over time, as the camshaft position sensor fails, the signal it sends to the engine control module weakens. When the engine no longer receives the signal, you will not be able to start your car. Engine Misfires: A failing camshaft position sensor can cause your engine to misfire.
Use motor oil with an engine break-in additive (ZDDP or ZINC camshaft additive), especially with flat tappet camshafts. Prime the oil system with a priming tool and an electric drill so that all oil passages and the oil filter are full. Preset the ignition timing and prime the fuel system. Fill the cooling system.
When your car's timing belt is broken or irreplaceable, your engine will not be able to ignite or turn over properly. This means when you turn the key, you may hear the starter motor engage, but since the timing belt is responsible for operating the crank and shaft, it will not fully ignite.
If you hear a ticking noise under the hood, there's a good chance that your timing belt needs to be replaced. The belt is attached to your engine's crankshaft with a series of pulleys. When the belt is worn out, it will not be able to turn the crankshaft as effectively. This is what causes the ticking noise.
A good indicator that ignition timing may need to be adjusted is when the engine runs too lean (too much air, not enough fuel in the fuel mixture) or too rich (too much fuel and not enough air in the fuel mixture). These conditions are sometimes shown by the engine backfiring or pinging while accelerating.
When it falls off one tooth, it could cause issues like diminished engine performance, unresponsiveness, or, in extreme cases, engine damage. There are various ways to fix the timing chain slipping off teeth.
Contrary to what a lot of people think, cam "timing" and ignition "timing" have nothing to do with each other anymore than a timing "belt" and a fan "belt" have anything to do with each other.
A broken camshaft can have a major impact throughout the top end of your engine, doing serious damage to parts like the crankshaft, cylinder block and head, valves, pistons, and connecting rods.
The most time-consuming part is pulling out the engine and putting it back in. Replacing the actual camshaft is pretty easy and quick.
If the cam-lobes are wearing out, all that means is that the valves won't open as much as they should. The engine will still run, perhaps for many years longer, but you'll gradually notice a loss in power.
A camshaft should last as long as the rest of the engine it is normally hydraulic camshaft followers that gum up and start the ticking noise. if you are replacing the camshaft after 100,000 miles or more is fine. but if the engine has done 300,000 miles then it will be more than just the camshaft needing replacement.