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Chevy P0017 CAM/Crankshaft Position Correlation

9:29 pm Chevrolet, How To Auto Repair


Cam_Solenoid

Cam solenoid is missing screen at X position

© DenLorsTools.com Summary: Many Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon pick ups are having problems with P0014 and/or P0017 codes. This has to do with the correlation of the camshaft and crankshaft as the computer sees them. Idle can be affected and the vehicle can even stall. The culprit is almost always the camshaft actuator solenoid valve, not the crankshaft position sensor or a cam position sensor. There have been reports of rough idle and fluctuation as well. The solenoid affects the variable cam timing control. One of the tiny screens can wear and be disintegrated causing everything to go awry.

DIY – Location of the Solenoid

The good news is that this is an easy job to tackle. The camshaft actuator solenoid valve is located on the right side of the engine below the valve cover. It is held in with one 10mm bolt. Once the bolt is out, twist the solenoid while pulling it at the same time to remove. It’s easy to check to see if the screen is missing before purchasing a new one.

Colorado_Solenoid_Location

Picture of the solenoid courtesy of  ColoradoFans.com

After replacing the cam solenoid and clearing the code, change the engine oil to help insure any remnants of the screen will be removed from the engine. Here’s hoping it does no further damage.

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107 Responses
  1. dennisb - Auto Tool Sales :

    Date: April 5, 2016 @ 7:31 am

    Since the Aveo has a completely different engine this article will not necessarily apply. You may want to have a local technician take a look at this for you. Good Luck.

  2. Bruce :

    Date: November 20, 2016 @ 3:03 pm

    cam solenoid Plugged with fine metal flakes is this normal for 2006 Colorado pkup

  3. dennisb - Auto Tool Sales :

    Date: November 20, 2016 @ 3:31 pm

    Common, but if it happens repeatedly could be sign of excessive engine wear.

  4. tallnb :

    Date: June 1, 2017 @ 8:39 pm

    i got 2008 h3 it came up misfire on cyl 1 and fuel trim was out of wack running lean they rest the computer and ask me try that few week later it came up misfire cyl 1 and 2 they put new set gm spark plugs in they change coil pack from cyl 4 to cyl 1 and put coil pack 5 in cyl 2
    to try that a few week later check engine light came on a again this time it no misfire just fuel trim they clean map air flow sensor check fuel pressure and clean throttle body next week came up misfire again cyl 1 and cyl 2
    this time i put new upstream o2 sensor it is running little ruff at idle next step i am going to get injector clean and this is starting to get to me can a Solenoid Actuator cause misfire

  5. dennisb - Auto Tool Sales :

    Date: June 10, 2017 @ 9:29 am

    They’ve eliminated the possibility of bad coils by switching them around and the misfire codes did not move. When codes did not come back for awhile, probably wasn’t enough misfires to set codes. The solenoid could cause misfires but would most likely also set the P0017 code if it was the problem. The fuel trim problem could have been from misfires that have not set a code yet. Un-burned fuel sensed by 02’s would result in the computer trying to lean down the mixture, but would reach thresh-holds that would cause a code. I would look for something that does not affect ALL cylinders, only the two you have a problem with. Map sensor is not exclusive to the two cylinders. Fuel pressure and Throttle-body would affect all cylinders. Injectors could be the cause. I might try switching those with other cylinders to see if misfire moves. Other than that what about compression? Bad rings worn valves etc. What condition are plugs in after misfire codes have returned? Condition of plugs could tell a story. Good Luck.

  6. Bernie :

    Date: August 23, 2017 @ 1:13 pm

    Hi,
    2006 Chevy Colorado 3.5L 4WD
    I filled up tank and after 15 miles
    stalled while driving when trying to accelerating after an intersection,the truck suddenly would not accelerate, low RPMs with rough idle and stalled. It cranks and starts with rough idle and vibration then stalls (after less than a minute), will not stay running. I cleaned MAF Senor and Throttle Body, no help. Used a Scan tool and no codes or pending codes were found. Was thinking it may be Crank Case Position sensor, I replaced the Cam Shaft position solenoid last year after it through a code. Could it be bad gas? Thanks for any help.

  7. dennisb - Auto Tool Sales :

    Date: August 23, 2017 @ 1:20 pm

    Hello Bernie, hard to guess with no codes, no fuel sample etc… Someone should look at it in person. I wouldn’t want to steer you in the wrong direction. Good Luck.

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