P2090

B Camshaft Position Actuator Control Circuit Low Bank 1

Q: Is it safe to drive with P2090?

Short-term yes. The camshaft simply holds a default timing position, so the engine still runs but with a rough idle and less power. Repair it to restore performance and economy.

Q: Can I just clear P2090?

It will return until the circuit, solenoid, or oil issue is fixed — this is an electrical control-circuit fault, not a glitch.

Variable valve timing (VVT) Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

P2090 means the PCM sees a low-voltage (often short-to-ground) condition in the control circuit for the bank 1 "B" (exhaust) camshaft position actuator — the oil-control solenoid that adjusts variable valve timing. It's usually a wiring, solenoid, or oil-supply fault. The cam simply defaults to a fixed position, so the engine still runs, typically with a rough idle and reduced power.

Medium

Can I keep driving? Driveable; the cam timing defaults to a fixed position, so expect rougher idle and reduced power rather than a no-start.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

<0.1%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P2090 scans

P2088in 82.4% of scans

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Rough idle
Reduced power and sluggish acceleration
Drop in fuel economy

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty B (exhaust) camshaft actuator / oil-control solenoid on bank 1Likely
Short-to-ground or open in the actuator control wiringCommon
Corroded or loose connector at the solenoidCommon
Low or dirty engine oil restricting VVT operationLess often
Faulty powertrain control module (PCM)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Check the engine oil level and condition first; low or sludgy oil can disable the cam actuator.
Inspect the actuator/solenoid wiring and connector for shorts-to-ground, opens, or corrosion.
Measure the solenoid's resistance against spec and replace it if out of range.
If wiring, oil, and solenoid check out, have the PCM diagnosed last.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P2090?+

Short-term yes. The camshaft simply holds a default timing position, so the engine still runs but with a rough idle and less power. Repair it to restore performance and economy.

Can I just clear P2090?+

It will return until the circuit, solenoid, or oil issue is fixed — this is an electrical control-circuit fault, not a glitch.

Read & clear P2090 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX