Engine

P0008 — Crankshaft/Camshaft Correlation Fault, Bank 1

Severity: high Drive with care, to a shop

What P0008 means

The engine control unit constantly compares the crankshaft position sensor signal with the Bank 1 camshaft sensor signal. In a healthy engine, valve timing matches piston position precisely. P0008 sets when the difference goes beyond allowed limits, pointing to a stretched chain, shifted timing, or a sensor or variable valve timing problem.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Rough or uneven idle
  • Loss of power and sluggish acceleration
  • Higher fuel consumption
  • Rattling or chain noise, especially on a cold start
  • Intermittent misfires
  • Hard starting or stalling

Possible causes

  1. Stretched or worn timing chain
  2. Failing timing chain tensioner or worn guides
  3. Faulty crankshaft or camshaft position sensor
  4. Faulty VVT solenoid or cam phaser
  5. Low or poor quality oil, clogged oil filter or screen
  6. Damaged wiring or connector at the sensors
  7. Faulty PCM (rare)

How to diagnose

  1. Scan all codes and freeze frame data, and look for related codes such as P0016, P0017, P0010, P0011 and misfires
  2. Check oil level and condition, and change it to the specified grade if needed
  3. Listen for chain or tensioner noise on a cold start
  4. Inspect wiring and connectors of both position sensors, and check power and ground
  5. Compare crankshaft and camshaft sensor waveforms with a scope to see their relationship
  6. Review commanded versus actual cam angle on a scan tool and test the VVT solenoid
  7. Measure chain stretch with scan tool data, or remove the timing cover and verify the timing marks

Common fixes

  • Replace the timing chain, tensioner and guides as a set
  • Replace the faulty crankshaft or camshaft sensor
  • Replace the VVT solenoid or phaser, and clean the oil passages
  • Change the oil and filter to the correct specification
  • Repair damaged wiring or connectors

Questions and answers

What does P0008 mean?

The PCM found that the crankshaft and camshaft positions on Bank 1 do not agree. Typical causes are a worn timing chain, a bad sensor, or a variable valve timing fault.

Can I drive with P0008?

It is best not to. A stretched chain can jump a tooth and damage the engine badly. If you must move the car, go slowly and only a short way.

Can old oil cause P0008?

Yes. Low or dirty oil weakens the tensioner and VVT phaser, which can shift the timing. Check the oil first.

This is general information about the code. The meaning can differ between makes and models: a scan tool and the repair manual for your car will show the exact cause.