P0020: Bank 2 intake camshaft position actuator circuit fault

Camshaft position actuator circuit malfunction, intake bank 2 (VVT solenoid circuit)

Severity: Inspect soon

Kelley Blue Book calls it moderately serious and says the engine may be damaged depending on the cause and how long it continues, so have it looked at soon.

It gets more serious if:

Stop: Stop driving if the engine stalls repeatedly. Kelley Blue Book says driving is unsafe with frequent stalling.

Source: how we rate severity

P0020 in short

P0020 means the engine computer found a fault in the electrical circuit that controls the bank 2 intake cam timing, usually the oil control valve solenoid or its wiring. It can cause rough running and stalling, and may damage the engine over time. Have it diagnosed soon and do not keep driving if it stalls.

Variable valve timing uses a solenoid, often called an oil control valve, to send oil to a phaser on the camshaft. The computer drives that solenoid electrically. P0020 sets when the circuit it uses for the bank 2 intake camshaft looks faulty, which can mean an open circuit or a bad solenoid.

TroubleCodes.net and Kelley Blue Book agree on the usual causes: the solenoid itself, damaged or loose wiring, and, less often, the engine computer. Kelley Blue Book also names oil buildup or blockage.

Chrysler found a different cause on some 2021 Ram 1500, Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler 3.6L engines: a poor engine ground connection that throws cam actuator circuit codes. That is a vehicle-specific bulletin, so a dealer needs to check the VIN.

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Cam timing oil control valve solenoid
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
TroubleCodes.net lists a defective oil flow control valve solenoid and Kelley Blue Book lists a faulty VVT solenoid; both put it first.
What would change this
Rises if the solenoid resistance is out of spec or it does not respond when commanded. Falls if it tests normal and the wiring is at fault.
How to test the variable valve timing (vvt) oil control solenoid
Cause 2: Damaged wiring or a poor connection to the solenoid
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
TroubleCodes.net lists broken wiring and intermittent connections; Kelley Blue Book lists defective wiring at the oil control valve. A circuit code points at the circuit before the part.
What would change this
Rises if a wiggle test or a visible chafe changes the code or finds an open. Falls if the circuit checks good from computer to solenoid.
Cause 3: Engine ground harness eyelet (2021 Ram 1500, Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler 3.6L)
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
Chrysler bulletins 0810921 and 0811121 splice a pigtail into the engine ground harness for P0020 and the other cam actuator circuit codes with a rough-running engine. Unverified bulletin summaries.
What would change this
Rises on a listed vehicle if several cam actuator circuit codes (P0010, P0013, P0023) appear with P0020. Falls on other vehicles.
Cause 4: Engine computer
Possible — needs testing
Why it ranks here
TroubleCodes.net and Kelley Blue Book both list the computer, but only after the solenoid and wiring have been ruled out.
What would change this
Rises only if the solenoid, wiring and power supply all test good. Falls if any of those are faulty.
How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)
Cause 5: Oil buildup or a blocked oil passage
Possible — needs testing
Why it ranks here
Only Kelley Blue Book names oil buildup or blockages for this code, so it ranks below the electrical causes.
What would change this
Rises if the oil is sludged or overdue for a change. Falls if the oil and screen are clean.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

Step 1: Read all stored codes and freeze-frame data. Note whether P0010 (bank 1 intake actuator circuit) or other cam actuator circuit codes are stored with P0020.
Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool
- IfP0010, P0013 or P0023 are stored too, on a 2021 Ram 1500, Gladiator or Wrangler
  It meansChrysler's ground harness bulletin may apply.
  Points to: Engine ground harness eyelet (2021 Ram 1500, Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler 3.6L)
- IfOnly P0020 is stored
  It meansLook at the bank 2 intake solenoid and its wiring.
  Go to step 2
Step 2: With the engine off and cool, look over the bank 2 intake cam solenoid connector and the wiring leading to it for damage, oil soaking, loose pins or chafing.
Low risk
- IfThe connector is loose, damaged or oil-soaked, or the wire is chafed
  It meansRepair the connection before replacing parts.
  Points to: Damaged wiring or a poor connection to the solenoid
- IfThe wiring looks good
  It meansHave the solenoid and circuit tested.
  Go to step 3
Step 3: Have a shop measure the solenoid resistance, check the circuit for opens, shorts and good grounds, and command the solenoid with a scan tool.
Best left to a shopTool: multimeter, bidirectional scan tool
Warning:The solenoid sits next to hot oil and moving timing parts, and the circuit is live. Probing the wrong pins can damage the engine computer.
- IfResistance is out of spec or the solenoid does not respond
  It meansThe solenoid has failed.
  Points to: Cam timing oil control valve solenoid
- IfThe solenoid is fine but the circuit has an open, a short or a poor ground
  It meansThe wiring or ground is at fault.
  Points to: Damaged wiring or a poor connection to the solenoid
- IfSolenoid and circuit both test good
  It meansThe engine computer or the oil passages are next.
  Points to: Engine computer

Symptoms

Check engine light
Rough running, especially at higher rpm, or a drop in power
Hard starting or higher fuel use
Repeated stalling Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

Step 1: With the engine off and cool, check that the solenoid connector for the bank 2 intake cam is fully seated and not oil-soaked.
Step 2: Ask a dealer whether your VIN has an open bulletin for cam actuator circuit codes.

Parts and cost context

Variable valve timing (VVT) oil control solenoid:The oil control valve solenoid is the most common part named for this code. Test the circuit first; labour varies, so get a quote.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Ram

2021 · 1500
Supported by vehicle data
Chrysler bulletin 0810921 splices a pigtail into the engine ground harness on the 3.6L when P0020 and other cam actuator circuit codes set. Whether it is still current is not verified.

0810921Status unverified
3.6L check engine light and rough running (ground harness eyelet)
20211500 · issued September 26, 2022 · NHTSA 10221658
Cuts off a wiring harness eyelet and splices in a pigtail on the engine ground harness when P0020, P0010, P0013, P0023 or P1050-series codes set with a rough-running engine.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Jeep

2021 · Wrangler
Supported by vehicle data
Chrysler bulletin 0811121 applies the same ground harness pigtail repair on the 2021 Wrangler and Gladiator. Whether it is still current is not verified.

0811121Status unverified
3.6L check engine light and rough running (ground harness eyelet)
2021gladiator, wrangler · issued September 26, 2022 · NHTSA 10221660
Same engine ground harness pigtail repair as the Ram 1500 bulletin, for the 2021 Gladiator and Wrangler.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

All Variable valve timing (VVT) codes

P0020 questions

Is P0020 a different code from P0010?

They are the same fault on opposite banks: P0010 for bank 1 and P0020 for bank 2.

Can I keep driving with P0020?

Kelley Blue Book calls it moderately serious. Short trips to a shop are reasonable if the car drives normally, but stop driving if it stalls often.

Sources and review

P0020 OBD-II code page — Kelley Blue Book (Cox Automotive)
P0020 trouble code page — TroubleCodes.net
Chrysler (FCA US) 0810921: 3.6L check engine light and rough running — Chrysler (FCA US) (filed with NHTSA)
Chrysler (FCA US) 0811121: 3.6L check engine light and rough running — Chrysler (FCA US) (filed with NHTSA)
Toyota 00404: MIL on with P0010 or P0020 — Toyota (filed with NHTSA)
Toyota 00604: MIL on with P0010 or P0020 — Toyota (filed with NHTSA)
Toyota 00704: MIL on with P0010 or P0020 — Toyota (filed with NHTSA)

Last reviewed: October 16, 2026
Written by: Saurabh K.
Editorial review: Pending
Technician review: Technician review pending

This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error

Severity: Inspect soon

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Cam timing oil control valve solenoid

Cause 2: Damaged wiring or a poor connection to the solenoid

Cause 3: Engine ground harness eyelet (2021 Ram 1500, Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler 3.6L)

Cause 4: Engine computer

Cause 5: Oil buildup or a blocked oil passage

What to test first

Step 1: Read all stored codes and freeze-frame data. Note whether P0010 (bank 1 intake actuator circuit) or other cam actuator circuit codes are stored with P0020.

Step 2: With the engine off and cool, look over the bank 2 intake cam solenoid connector and the wiring leading to it for damage, oil soaking, loose pins or chafing.

Step 3: Have a shop measure the solenoid resistance, check the circuit for opens, shorts and good grounds, and command the solenoid with a scan tool.