Crankshaft and camshaft timing do not agree

What it means

The crankshaft and camshafts are tied together by a timing chain or belt and must stay in step. Sensors on each tell the computer their positions. These codes mean the two are out of step with each other by more than is allowed.

Codes in this group

Bank 1 is the side of the engine that has cylinder 1. Sensor 1 is before the catalytic converter and sensor 2 is after it. More terms explained.

What you may notice

• Rattle from the front or side of the engine, most of all at cold start
• Rough running and poor power
• Hard starting
• In bad cases the engine will not run

Common causes

Most likely first:

• A stretched timing chain or worn tensioner and guides
• A timing belt that has jumped a tooth
• A faulty cam phaser or oil control valve
• Low or dirty engine oil
• A damaged sensor ring or faulty sensor (less common)

What to check first

• Check the oil level
• Do not ignore this code: if a chain or belt slips further, valves can hit pistons and wreck the engine
• Keep engine speed low and get it to a workshop

Have a mechanic confirm. A fault code tells you which system reported a problem, not which part has failed. The same code can have several causes, and they differ between car models. Use this page to understand the code, then have a qualified mechanic test the car before any part is replaced.

After the repair

Once the cause is fixed, the code can be cleared with a scan tool, or the warning light goes out by itself after several trips without the fault. Clearing a code without fixing the cause only hides it for a while. More about clearing codes.

Related codes

Engine misfire (P0300), Knock sensor (P0325), Crankshaft position sensor (P0335), Camshaft position sensor (P0340), Ignition coil circuits (P0350), Glow plugs (diesel) (P0380). All codes.

Written in November 2026. These are generic OBD-II codes, the same on all makes. Causes and repair steps differ between models.