CEL with P0010 (Camshaft Position Actuator ABank-1 Circuit Malfuntion)

[3rdtime]

As stated in thread title, I was blessed with a CEL yesterday evening. The corresponding code is P0010, with a description of "Camshaft Position Actuator ABank-1 Circuit Malfuntion."

I recently changed my timing belt. Could this be related? Did I mess up the sensor when I was disassembling the front of the engine and cleaning everything with brake cleaner? Hopefully I didn't drown the sensor or something stupid like that.

Does anybody know if this is easily remedied by installing a new sensor? Or am I faced with something much worse like installing a new camshaft? I tried searching, but there was very little in the forums related to this specific code.

[TwoManyPassats]

That's the solenoid in your cam chain tensioner on the back of the engine. Did you have that much overspray? Check the resistance. It should be between 10 and 18 ohms.

[3rdtime]

Originally Posted by TwoManyPassats

That's the solenoid in your cam chain tensioner on the back of the engine. Did you have that much overspray? Check the resistance. It should be between 10 and 18 ohms.

Dammit. I realized this as I drove home today. I was confusing the tensioner with the hall sensor. Cripes. Should I even bother testing it if the CEL is on? I mean, obviously the car already thinks it's bad. Grrrr... And if I do test it and find out (confirm, rather) that it's bad, is there anything I can do to bring it back to life? Or am I then faced with buying an entire new tensioner?

Good God. Just looked up the part #: $340 + $6.62 for the necessary gaskets. Not to mention I'd need a $40 valve cover gasket too. Oh brother.

[3rdtime]

Bump for more info. I drive ~100 miles/day and don't want to do any more damage than I may have already done.

Thanks in advance.

[TwoManyPassats]

Unless you are hearing rattling from the chain, I think the only thing you'll lose is performance. What was the resistance reading?

[3rdtime]

I've lost some performance. And I suck. Have not yet had a chance to check resistance on the unit.

I can't say I've noticed any chain rattle. Even if this part fails completely, I'll still be pretty much where I am today, correct (a small loss in power, an illuminated CEL)? In other words, the chain isn't gonna just let go and destroy the engine somehow, right?

Sheesh. When it rains it pours with Passats. Until 2 weekends ago I was freaked out about driving with so many miles on my original TB and tensioner. Now I have this mess to work out I miss my Jetta.

[pete1]

If you aren't hearing any cam chain noises, I think there is a very good chance its just a loose/dirty connector. Spray the connectors with electronics cleaner when you check the resistance.

Also, if the resistance is out of spec, try exposing some of the wiring and testing directly... you may only need to replace the connector.

[TwoManyPassats]

Imagine a football with the exhaust cam on one end and the intake cam on the other and the chain going around the football longways. The football is the tensioner. Push the football up and the exhaust is advanced and the intake is retarded. Push down and the opposite happens. This is what the solenoid does.

[pete1]

^^^Yup. ...and only on WOT in first gear from a dead stop, IIRC.

[3rdtime]

Got it. So with an effed up solenoid, the chain remains in one place as opposed to doing anything to the timing.

I will check the resistance as soon as I'm able, as well as give the area a good cleaning. Hopefully it's gunk and not a dead solenoid.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help. At least I can ask questions here without being accused of being a noob every time I speak (ahem, vwvortex, cough, cough)

[TwoManyPassats]

Originally Posted by 3rdtime

Got it. So with an effed up solenoid, the chain remains in one place as opposed to doing anything to the timing.

I will check the resistance as soon as I'm able, as well as give the area a good cleaning. Hopefully it's gunk and not a dead solenoid.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the help. At least I can ask questions here without being accused of being a noob every time I speak (ahem, vwvortex, cough, cough)

Noob!

[3rdtime]

Nice.

Seriously though, thanks for the insight and assistance. It's much appreciated. I'll post a follow-up once I can find the time to figure out exactly what's going on back there.

[pete1]

Let us know how things turn out!

also, I may have missed it, but what is your model year & engine? post your engine code too, if you know it (AEB/ATW/AUG/AWM/AHA/ATQ...)

[PZ]

Originally Posted by pete1

Let us know how things turn out!

also, I may have missed it, but what is your model year & engine? post your engine code too, if you know it (AEB/ATW/AUG/AWM/AHA/ATQ...)

Hey noob , since his profile says 01 B5 1.8T, I am betting on an AUG or AWM. The VVT started with them anyway.

[3rdtime]

2001 (B5) 1.8T AUG. And, like magic, the CEL has turned itself off. I did nothing but drive home and go to sleep last night. The VW fun continues

I still plan to clean everything up and give it a good squirt with Lubro Moly Electronic Spray. That should clear up any resistance issues. Then, if the CEL comes back or I hear suspect noises, I'll at least know it's a different part or problem.

I also plan to run a can (bottle?) of Liqui Moly Motor Clean through the engine next oil change. Here's what the company has to say about the product:

Motorclean. Dislodges sludge and lacquers to improve compression and reduce exhaust emissions. Great maintenance for chain tensioner systems and valve lifters.

Sounds like good preventive maintenance for the top end, chain tensioner, etc. I really like the Lubro Moly/Liqui Moly line.

http://catalog.etyparts.com/epcgetsp...ory1=LUBROMOLY

PS--130 posts and I'm still in "neutral?" Screw you guys, I'm goin' home...

[furnace]

*bump*

How did this turn out?

[3rdtime]

Ran the MotorClean through before my last oil change (roughly 2k miles ago), then filled up with Lubro Moly 0 w40 and a can of MoS2 as usual. I also gave a number of electrical connectors a quick cleaning and spray with the Lubro Moly Auto Electric Spray (coil packs, hall sensor plug, CCT plug, throttle body connector plug, etc.). I went to Autozone and cleared the code. Haven't seen the CEL since.

Not sure if the tensioner was really going bad or what, but I have not observed noises or any other strangeness from the engine since the oil change. I drive ~100 miles/day and would pretty much immediately know if something was amiss. Thumbs up for the strength and durability of the AUG!

[pete1]

Originally Posted by PZ

Hey noob , since his profile says 01 B5 1.8T, I am betting on an AUG or AWM. The VVT started with them anyway.

Ouch... Lazy me.

PS--130 posts and I'm still in "neutral?" Screw you guys, I'm goin' home...

Um, IIRC, 1st gear starts at 500. Or was it 1500?

Good to hear the CEL went away!

[PZ]

Originally Posted by pete1

Um, IIRC, 1st gear starts at 500. Or was it 1500?

Good to hear the CEL went away!

One good problem will get you into 1st gear. He is there now with 179 posts!

[3rdtime]

Originally Posted by PZ

One good problem will get you into 1st gear. He is there now with 179 posts!

Make that 180. Ha!

Thanks again for the help guys. So far so good with the CCT, CEL, etc. Anybody have any other acronyms they'd like to throw in?

[DSIM]

Originally Posted by TwoManyPassats

Unless you are hearing rattling from the chain, I think the only thing you'll lose is performance. What was the resistance reading?

What does this sound like? I recently got this code (P0010) and I have noticed a "growl" coming from somewhere that I attributed to exhaust rattle. I will be putting the car on jackstands tomorrow to check those out. Just wanted to know what I was in for before I got under there and found nothing.

As far as the sound it makes, I hear it when I start the car, but only for a few seconds.... and when I am shifting but only at certian RPM's. The car is an 02 AWM 1.8T manual transmission. I really dont have the 400 to fix this right now, how long can I go before this thing craps itself? What is likely to happen should this turn into something major? How difficult is it to change out the tensioner?

[4MOTIONV6]

[quote=DSIM;2065565]What does this sound like? I recently got this code (P0010) and I have noticed a "growl" coming from somewhere that I attributed to exhaust rattle. I will be putting the car on jackstands tomorrow to check those out. Just wanted to know what I was in for before I got under there and found nothing.

As far as the sound it makes, I hear it when I start the car, but only for a few seconds.... and when I am shifting but only at certian RPM's. The car is an 02 AWM 1.8T manual transmission. I really dont have the 400 to fix this right now, how long can I go before this thing craps itself? What is likely to happen should this turn into something major? How difficult is it to change out the tensioner?[/Q


YOUR CAM ADJUSTER IS LOSING PRESSURE AND MAY CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE
IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF.

[DSIM]

Anyone have a part #? How hard is it to change the cam adjuster? Any idea on the price? I have the next 3 days off, so now would be the prime time to get it taken care of.

[Achtuning1]

Hello Everyone,
I know this thread is almost two years old by my car is throwing the same code P0010, however, there is no loss of power and no ticking noise coming from the camshaft tensioner. Should I unplug the sensor and spray some electrical cleaner on the plug of the sensor. There is some oil leaking from around the camshaft tensioner so it will probably need replaced eventually. I am just hoping that I can fix it with some electrical cleaner. The engine code is AUG.
Cheers,
Kyle

[Achtuning1]

Bump