Engine-Codes - Toyota - P0012 Toyota

P0012 Toyota Code - Camshaft Position 'A' Timing Over-Retarded Bank 1

- Code Popularity: 172,043 Views
- Repair Importance Level: 3/3
- Repair Difficulty Level: 3/3
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What are the Possible Causes of the DTC P0012 Toyota?

NOTE: The causes shown may not be a complete list of all potential problems, and it is possible that there may be other causes.
  • Low or Dirty Engine Oil
  • Valve timing
  • Faulty Camshaft Timing Oil Control Valve Assembly
  • Camshaft Timing Oil Control Valve Assembly circuit is open or shorted
  • Camshaft Timing Oil Control Valve Assembly circuit is open or shorted
  • Faulty Engine Control Module (ECM)

Code Tech Notes

There are factory service bulletins for the following Toyota models:

2005 Toyota Corolla
2006 Toyota Corolla
2007 Toyota Corolla
2005 Toyota Matrix
2006 Toyota Matrix
2007 Toyota Matrix
2005-2007 Toyota Corolla, Matrix Factory Service Bulletin OBDII Code P0012

2005 Toyota Camry
2006 Toyota Camry
2007 Toyota Camry
2005-2007 Toyota Camry Service Bulletin OBDII Code P0012





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How to Fix the DTC P0012 Toyota?

Check the 'Possible Causes' listed above. Visually inspect the related wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and look for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded connector pins.

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What is the Cost to Diagnose the Code?

Labor: 1.0

The cost to diagnose the P0012 Toyota code is 1.0 hour of labor. The diagnosis time and labor rates at auto repair shops vary depending on the location, make and model of the vehicle, and even the engine type. Most auto repair shops charge between $75 and $150 per hour.

What are Code Possible Symptoms?

  • Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)
  • Engine Lack / Loss of Power
  • Engine Rough Idle

What Does the P0012 Toyota Code Mean?

The Variable Valve Timing (VVT) system adjusts the intake valve timing to improve driveability. The engine oil pressure turns the VVT controller to adjust the valve timing.
The camshaft timing oil control valve assembly is a solenoid valve and switches the engine oil line. The valve moves when the Engine Control Module (ECM) applies 12 V to the solenoid. The ECM changes the energizing time to the solenoid (duty-cycle) in accordance with the camshaft position, crankshaft position, throttle position, etc.
The ECM optimizes the intake valve timing using the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) system to control the intake camshaft. The VVT system includes the ECM, the camshaft timing oil control valve assembly and the VVT controller (camshaft timing gear assembly). The ECM sends a target duty-cycle control signal to the camshaft timing oil control valve assembly. This control signal regulates the oil pressure supplied to the VVT controller. The VVT controller can advance or retard the intake camshaft.
If the difference between the target and actual intake valve timing is large, and changes in the actual intake valve timing are small, the ECM interprets this as a VVT controller stuck malfunction and stores a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC).
P0012 Toyota Code - Camshaft Position 'A' Timing Over-Retarded Bank 1

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