Engine

P0024 — Exhaust Camshaft Timing Over-Advanced (Bank 2)

Severity: medium Drive with care, to a shop

What P0024 means

The ECM compares the commanded exhaust camshaft angle on bank 2 with the actual angle reported by the camshaft position sensor. With P0024, the cam is more advanced than commanded, or the system could not reach the target. Timing is adjusted by oil pressure through a control solenoid and a camshaft phaser.

Symptoms

  • Check Engine light on
  • Rough or unstable idle
  • Hard starting
  • Reduced power or hesitation
  • Worse fuel economy
  • Possible stalling

Possible causes

  1. Low, dirty or wrong-grade engine oil
  2. Faulty VVT solenoid (oil control valve)
  3. Camshaft phaser stuck in the advanced position
  4. Wiring or connector problems in the VVT or cam sensor circuit
  5. Stretched timing chain or misaligned timing
  6. Internal engine mechanical fault

How to diagnose

  1. Check oil level, condition and viscosity grade
  2. Read freeze-frame data and any other codes, especially cam sensor or other VVT codes
  3. Compare desired and actual cam angle in live data
  4. Inspect the solenoid and sensor wiring and connectors; test power and ground
  5. Command the VVT solenoid with a scan tool and watch the response
  6. Remove the solenoid and check it and its screen for sludge or debris
  7. Check timing chain stretch and timing mark alignment

Common fixes

  • Change oil and filter to the manufacturer's specification
  • Replace the VVT solenoid
  • Repair the wiring or connector
  • Replace the camshaft phaser
  • Replace the timing chain, guides and tensioner

P0024 on different brands

Ford · manuals
On Ford, P0024:00 describes the monitor detecting over-advanced exhaust camshaft timing on bank 2; it identifies the detected condition, not a confirmed failed part.

Questions and answers

Can I drive with a P0024 code?

Briefly, if the engine runs smoothly. Don't put it off, though, since oil or timing chain problems can cause serious engine damage.

Will an oil change fix P0024?

Often yes, if low or dirty oil is the cause. If the code returns, check the VVT solenoid, the phaser and the timing chain.

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.