P0017 — Crankshaft Position / Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor B #

DTC P0017 means the engine control module has detected that the position of the crankshaft and the Bank 1 “B” camshaft are no longer correlating within the expected range.

This is primarily a timing-correlation fault. It does not automatically mean that the crankshaft position sensor or camshaft position sensor has failed.

Depending on the engine design, the cause may be mechanical timing, variable valve timing (VVT), engine-oil control, a camshaft actuator, a damaged reluctor or trigger wheel, a sensor signal problem, incorrect timing after engine work, or another manufacturer-specific condition.

What Does P0017 Mean? #

The engine control module uses crankshaft and camshaft position signals to determine whether the camshaft is in the expected position relative to the crankshaft.

When the measured relationship differs too far from the learned or commanded relationship, the ECM can store P0017.

The standardized description is:

Crankshaft Position — Camshaft Position Correlation, Bank 1 Sensor B.

Bank 1 is the engine bank containing cylinder number 1. On an inline engine there is normally only one bank.

Sensor B generally refers to the second camshaft monitored on that bank and commonly corresponds to the exhaust camshaft on many DOHC engines. The exact designation should still be confirmed with manufacturer service information.

P0017 Is a Correlation Code, Not Simply a Sensor Code #

A common diagnostic mistake is to see the words “crankshaft position” or “camshaft position” and immediately replace a position sensor.

P0017 does not simply report that a sensor circuit is open, shorted or producing no signal. Instead, the ECM is reporting that the relationship between the crankshaft and camshaft positions is incorrect.

A perfectly functioning sensor can therefore report P0017 when the camshaft is genuinely out of position because of a timing-chain, timing-belt, cam phaser or VVT problem.

Common Symptoms of P0017 #

• check-engine light illuminated;
• rough or unstable idle;
• extended cranking or difficult starting;
• reduced engine power;
• hesitation during acceleration;
• poor fuel economy;
• misfires or uneven engine operation;
• rattling or unusual noise from the timing area;
• other camshaft timing or VVT codes stored;
• in some cases, no obvious symptom other than the warning lamp.

The symptoms depend heavily on how far the actual camshaft position differs from the expected position and on the engine’s control strategy.

Most Likely Causes of P0017 #

Possible causes include:

• stretched or worn timing chain;
• incorrect timing-chain or timing-belt installation;
• timing chain that has jumped a tooth;
• worn chain guides or tensioner;
• damaged timing sprocket;
• faulty or sticking camshaft phaser;
• VVT oil-control solenoid or valve malfunction;
• restricted oil passages affecting camshaft adjustment;
• low engine-oil level;
• incorrect oil viscosity or badly degraded oil;
• camshaft position sensor signal fault;
• crankshaft position sensor signal fault;
• damaged wiring or connector at a position sensor;
• damaged, loose or shifted reluctor/trigger wheel;
• incorrect mechanical assembly after timing or cylinder-head work;
• less commonly, an ECM calibration or control issue specific to the vehicle.

The correct diagnosis depends on live data, companion DTCs and the manufacturer’s timing specifications.

Check Related Codes Before Diagnosing P0017 #

Record all stored and pending codes before clearing anything.

Other camshaft or crankshaft correlation codes can reveal whether the problem affects one camshaft, one bank or the entire timing system.

• P0016 — Crankshaft/Camshaft Correlation Bank 1 Sensor A
• P0018 — Crankshaft/Camshaft Correlation Bank 2 Sensor A
• P0019 — Crankshaft/Camshaft Correlation Bank 2 Sensor B

Also note any VVT performance, camshaft timing, oil-pressure, misfire or sensor-circuit codes.

For example, P0017 together with multiple correlation codes may suggest a different diagnostic direction than P0017 appearing alone.

How to Diagnose P0017 #

1. Read all DTCs and freeze-frame data #

Use a capable scan tool and record the complete fault memory before clearing codes.

Pay attention to:

• other P0016–P0019 correlation codes;
• camshaft timing over-advanced or over-retarded codes;
• VVT actuator or oil-control valve codes;
• camshaft or crankshaft sensor circuit codes;
• misfire codes;
• oil-pressure-related faults where monitored.

Freeze-frame information can show engine speed, temperature and load when the correlation fault was detected.

2. Check engine-oil level and condition #

Many variable valve timing systems use engine-oil pressure to move the camshaft actuator.

Check:

• oil level;
• oil condition;
• correct viscosity;
• service history;
• signs of sludge or contamination.

Do not assume that changing the oil will repair every P0017 fault. Oil condition is an important diagnostic check because poor oil supply can affect VVT operation, but a mechanically incorrect timing system requires mechanical repair.

3. Inspect wiring and connectors #

Inspect the camshaft and crankshaft position sensor circuits for:

• damaged insulation;
• loose terminals;
• oil or water contamination;
• corrosion;
• poor grounds;
• wiring damaged during previous engine work.

If another DTC identifies a specific sensor circuit, diagnose that electrical fault before condemning the timing components.

4. Compare commanded and actual camshaft position #

If the scan tool supports enhanced engine data, monitor values such as:

• desired camshaft position;
• actual camshaft position;
• camshaft angle error or deviation;
• VVT command or duty cycle;
• camshaft adaptation values where available.

If the ECM commands the camshaft to a position but the measured position does not follow correctly, investigate the actuator, oil-control system and mechanical timing.

A camshaft that remains offset even when VVT is not being commanded may point more strongly toward base mechanical timing or a reference-position problem.

5. Check VVT solenoid and oil-control operation #

Depending on the engine, the Bank 1 Sensor B camshaft may be controlled by an oil-control solenoid and variable camshaft actuator.

Check the manufacturer procedure for:

• solenoid electrical resistance where applicable;
• power and control circuits;
• oil-screen restriction;
• contaminated control valve;
• bidirectional actuator testing;
• actual camshaft response to a commanded change.

Do not apply battery voltage directly to a control valve unless the manufacturer procedure specifically permits it.

6. Verify mechanical timing #

If the electrical and VVT checks do not explain the fault, verify the mechanical relationship between the crankshaft and camshaft.

Depending on the engine, this can require:

• checking timing marks;
• using manufacturer locking tools;
• inspecting timing-chain stretch;
• checking the tensioner and guides;
• inspecting the camshaft phaser;
• checking for a slipped sprocket or damaged locating feature.

A timing system can sometimes be only slightly out of position and still allow the engine to run while repeatedly setting P0017.

7. Consider recent engine or timing work #

If P0017 appeared immediately after a timing-chain, cylinder-head, camshaft, cam-phaser or engine replacement, verify the previous repair before replacing sensors.

Incorrect timing alignment, incorrectly installed components or missing/mispositioned parts can create a correlation fault even when all electrical components are functional.

8. Evaluate crank and cam sensor waveforms when necessary #

For difficult cases, an oscilloscope can compare the crankshaft and camshaft signals directly.

A known-good waveform or manufacturer reference can help distinguish between:

• true mechanical timing offset;
• intermittent sensor signal loss;
• damaged reluctor wheel;
• wiring interference;
• incorrect reference position.

This is often more useful than replacing sensors based only on resistance measurements.

9. Check manufacturer bulletins and calibration information #

If mechanical timing, oil control and sensor signals are correct, check manufacturer service information for applicable technical bulletins or ECM calibration updates.

Software should not be assumed to be the cause of P0017, but manufacturer-specific updates do exist on some applications.

10. Verify the repair #

After repairing the confirmed cause:

• clear the DTCs;
• start and warm the engine;
• monitor actual versus commanded camshaft position;
• perform the required drive cycle;
• rescan for pending and stored codes.

P0017 should not return and the camshaft correlation values should remain within the manufacturer’s acceptable range.

P0017 vs P0016 #

P0016 and P0017 both refer to crankshaft/camshaft correlation on Bank 1.

The difference is the camshaft designation:

• P0016: Bank 1 Sensor A;
• P0017: Bank 1 Sensor B.

On many DOHC engines, Sensor A is associated with one camshaft and Sensor B with the other, often intake and exhaust respectively. The exact mapping must be verified for the specific engine.

If both codes occur together, consider whether a common mechanical timing, oil-supply or crankshaft-reference problem could affect both camshafts.

P0017 vs P0019 #

P0017 concerns Bank 1 Sensor B, whereas P0019 concerns Bank 2 Sensor B.

A single-bank engine cannot have a Bank 2 correlation fault. On V-type or horizontally opposed engines, comparing faults between Bank 1 and Bank 2 can provide useful diagnostic context.

Does P0017 Mean the Timing Chain Is Stretched? #

Not necessarily.

A worn or stretched chain is one possible cause, but P0017 can also result from incorrect timing installation, a camshaft actuator problem, oil-control issue, shifted reluctor, sensor signal fault or another vehicle-specific condition.

Mechanical timing should be verified before a timing chain is replaced.

Does P0017 Mean the Camshaft Sensor Is Bad? #

No.

A failed or distorted camshaft-position signal can cause a correlation fault, but P0017 does not specifically identify a defective sensor.

If the sensor signal is clean and correctly timed but the camshaft is physically out of phase with the crankshaft, replacing the sensor will not repair the fault.

Can Low or Dirty Oil Cause P0017? #

It can contribute on engines where oil pressure controls variable camshaft timing.

Low oil level, incorrect viscosity, contamination or restricted oil passages can prevent the camshaft actuator from reaching the commanded position.

However, finding dirty oil does not rule out a stretched chain, damaged actuator or another mechanical problem.

Can You Drive With P0017? #

The urgency depends on the symptoms and the underlying cause.

If the engine runs normally and P0017 is the only symptom, the vehicle may remain driveable for a short period while diagnosis is arranged. The code should still be investigated promptly.

Stop driving if the engine develops pronounced timing-chain noise, severe misfiring, stalling, very low power, an oil-pressure warning, or other signs of a mechanical timing problem.

An actual timing-system failure can become more serious if operation continues.

Common Repairs for P0017 #

Repairs should be based on test results rather than the code alone. Possible repairs include:

• correcting engine-oil level or specification;
• repairing damaged sensor wiring or connectors;
• replacing a confirmed faulty camshaft or crankshaft position sensor;
• cleaning or replacing a confirmed faulty VVT oil-control valve;
• repairing an oil-supply restriction;
• repairing or replacing a faulty camshaft actuator/phaser;
• correcting incorrectly installed mechanical timing;
• replacing worn timing-chain components, guides or tensioners;
• repairing a damaged reluctor or trigger wheel;
• performing an applicable manufacturer calibration update where specifically required.

Common P0017 Diagnostic Mistakes #

• Replacing the camshaft sensor first. P0017 is a correlation code, not simply a sensor-circuit code.
• Replacing the timing chain without measuring the timing error. Verify the actual cause first.
• Ignoring oil level and specification. VVT operation may depend directly on oil pressure and flow.
• Ignoring recent engine work. Incorrect assembly can immediately produce P0017.
• Clearing companion codes before recording them. Related codes can reveal whether the fault affects one camshaft or the entire timing system.
• Assuming Sensor B always means the same physical camshaft. Confirm the engine-specific designation.

Related OBD2 Codes #

• P0016 — Crankshaft/Camshaft Correlation Bank 1 Sensor A
• P0018 — Crankshaft/Camshaft Correlation Bank 2 Sensor A
• P0019 — Crankshaft/Camshaft Correlation Bank 2 Sensor B

Browse the Powertrain OBD2 Codes section for additional engine and timing-system diagnostic trouble codes.

P0017 FAQ #

What should I check first for P0017? #

Record all related codes, check engine-oil level and condition, inspect the sensor wiring, then compare commanded and actual camshaft position if your scan tool provides that data.

Can clearing P0017 fix the problem? #

No. Clearing the code only erases the stored diagnostic information. If the correlation fault remains, P0017 will return.

Can P0017 appear after a timing-chain replacement? #

Yes. If the fault begins immediately after timing work, verify mechanical alignment, actuator installation and all components disturbed during the repair.

Do I need an oscilloscope to diagnose P0017? #

Not always. Many faults can be diagnosed through companion codes, oil inspection, live VVT data and mechanical timing checks. An oscilloscope becomes particularly useful when sensor signal timing or an intermittent correlation problem remains uncertain.