P0017: Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation

What is P0017?

P0017 is a generic powertrain code that stands for “Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B).”

This code indicates that the crankshaft and camshaft position sensor for the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft don’t correlate signals with each other.

The camshaft opens and closes valves, letting an air-fuel mixture into the cylinders. This is followed by a spark causing this mixture to combust — which drives the cylinders. The crankshaft translates the cylinders’ force into a circular motion, used to rotate the wheels. 

The crankshaft position sensor (CKP sensor) and the cam position sensor (CMP sensor) must work harmoniously to control the spark, fuel delivery, and timing. When they don’t, the engine doesn’t function properly, triggering the P0017 error code.

Some car manufacturers, such as GM or Chevrolet, have their own definition of P0017. P0017 on Chevy cars, for example, translates to “Crankshaft Position – Exhaust Camshaft Position Not Plausible.” 

Irrespective of the different names coined by manufacturers, the P0017 code simply means that the PCM thinks the difference between the crankshaft position and the camshaft position surpasses specification. 

P0017 is a common problem among the following makes: Chevrolet (especially a Chevy Colorado), GMC, Cadillac, Buick, and Mercedes Benz.

Common symptoms

Here are some of the most common telltale signs of the code P0017:

• The engine malfunction indicator light or check engine light is on
• The engine cranks up but won’t start
• Rough starts, though your car runs after a few attempts
• The engine may idle normally but experience a reduction in power
• The engine runs erratically or feels rough when accelerating
• Rattling sounds from the engine
• Rattle near the harmonic balancer pointing to a damaged tone ring
• The power to the camshaft oil control valve (OCV) is turned off
• Reduced fuel mileage due to camshafts not being in the optimal positions

Can I still drive?

It’s possible to continue driving your car with a fault code P0017. However, it’s best not to do so because it can cause drivability issues like stalling, poor acceleration, low engine power, and no starts. 

Since this code can occur due to several issues, including a mistimed engine, it can cause destructive engine damage and leave you with expensive repairs.

Moreover, if you don’t fix the DTC P0017 on time, it can cause carbon deposits to form on the valves and pistons, damaging your car’s spark plugs. It can also lead to engine misfiring.

P0017 causes

Here are some of the many problems that may trigger a code P0017:

Timing chain or timing belt issues:

• Damaged or stretched timing chain or timing belt
• Damaged timing chain, belt tensioners, or guides
• Timing belt skipping a tooth because of wear 
• Misaligned timing belt

Sensor and actuator issues:

• Bad crank sensor
• Flawed cam sensor
• Erratic camshaft and crankshaft position sensor (CKP sensor) signals
• Shorted camshaft position sensor controller solenoid
• Loose crankshaft or camshaft position sensor wiring or connections
• CMP actuator solenoid stuck open 
• Stuck CMP actuator in a position other than 0 degrees
• Defective variable valve timing (VVT) or phaser
• Exhaust timing gear problem with the phaser, causing camshaft misalignment
• Defective camshaft or crankshaft reluctor wheel (tone ring)
• Chain tone ring on crank slipped

Engine oil issues:

• Low oil level or bad oil filter
• Wrong engine oil viscosity
• Aerated or contaminated engine oil

Other issues:

• An improperly torqued crankshaft balancer 
• A loose or missing crankshaft balancer bolt 
• Faulty variable valve timing or VVT solenoid or oil control valve (OCV) 
• Oil control valve (OCV) with a restriction in the OCV filter.
• Off engine timing
• Faulty Powertrain Control Module

Diagnosis

Here’s how a professional mechanic will diagnose your P0017 code troubles:

1. First, they’ll visually inspect for wiring and connection issues with the oil control valve, camshaft, and crankshaft sensor.
2. Then they’ll verify if the engine oil is full of clean oil with the correct viscosity.
3. Once verified, your mechanic will scan and document the engine code or codes with a scan tool, then view the freeze frame data to confirm when the codes were triggered. 
4. Then they’ll reset the check engine light and perform a road test to see if the DTC P0017 returns.
5. They’ll command the oil control valve on and off to confirm if the camshaft sensor indicates timing changes for the Bank 1 exhaust cam.
6. Lastly, your professional will perform the manufacturer’s tests for P0017 to determine the code’s cause.

Possible repairs for P0017 & Costs

There isn’t a single fix for the DTC P0017 because there are many possible reasons for your car to trigger the code. 

Here are some of the repairs your car may need: 

• Resetting the engine code or codes and confirming if the problem still exists
• Replacing the faulty Engine Control Module (ECM) or Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
• Replacing the camshaft position sensor (CMP sensor) on a failed camshaft bank
• Mending or replacing the wiring connection to the camshaft sensor or the oil control valve
• Replacing the timing gears, timing chain (timing belt), and timing guides for both engine banks
• Cleaning the engine carbon from pistons and valves once the code is fixed
• Repairing or replacing a lousy oil control valve, camshaft sensor, or crankshaft position sensor wiring

Since there’s no one guaranteed fix, the cost of repairing error code P0017 differs depending on the culprit. Here are the estimated expenses for some repair parts and labor:

• Replace crank or cam sensor: $150-$450
• Replace timing chain or timing belt: $300-$3000
• Repair wiring: $50-$500
• Replace CMP actuator solenoid: $300-$3,000
• Replace timing chain or belt tensioner: $250-$3,000
• Replace crankshaft or camshaft tone ring: $100-$600