Dodge Ram P0016, P0013, P0014

What causes P0016, P0013, P0014 on Dodge Ram?

If you encounter 2010 5.7L V-8 Dodge Ram P0016, P0013, P0014 trouble codes, don’t panic. These codes are all related and revolve around P0013. Here’s what’s going on.

This V-8 engine has variable valve timing. The camshafts are rotated by hydraulic mechanisms to shift the valve opening timing based on commands from the PCM. The PCM pulses power to a solenoid to open and close an oil pressure port. The rapid opening and closing varies the oil pressure to the variable valve mechanism (phaser) which controls how much it adjusts cam timing.

When the PCM commands the solenoid to open and close it expects to see the camshaft vary timing by a certain amount. The PCM checks the values from the camshaft position sensor to confirm the camshafts have indeed moved by the correct amount. If the PCM commands a shift but sees an unexpected result, it sets a trouble code. In this case, it has set two camshaft error codes indicating that the exhaust camshaft has missed its targeted setting on Bank 1 and the crankshaft and camshaft are out of alignment.

What causes P0014 and P0016

Since the variable valve mechanisms are driven by pulsed oil pressure, using the right oil viscosity is critical. The PCM knows engine temperature and assumes you’ve used the correct oil viscosity. If you install a different oil viscosity, the variable valve mechanisms (also called phasers) will respond differently, causing a trouble code.

The PCM also expects that you’ve changed your oil according to manufacturer recommendations. Exceeding oil change intervals can result in sludge accumulation in the variable valve mechanisms and filtering screens that then reduce oil pressure. Dodge has built in a variable camshaft solenoid cleaning procedure to correct this issue. It’s operated by commands from a scan tool. If the sludge can’t be removed, the solenoid must be replaced.

Dodge also incorporates a phaser cleaning procedure that’s initiated by a scan tool. If the cleaning procedure doesn’t solve the problem, the phaser must be replaced.

What causes P0013

However, in this case, the root cause appears to be P0013 Bank 1 Camshaft 2 Position Actuator Circuit Open. The PCM pulses power on the dark blue wire in connector 3 to the variable camshaft actuator solenoid on bank 1. The dark blue wire runs through connector C140 prior to arriving at the solenoid. The solenoid receives ground on the black wire (also running through C140) and the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) and terminating at ground G108 at the right rear of the engine compartment.

When the PCM applies power to the camshaft position actuator solenoid, it expects to see a voltage drop. If it doesn’t, it concludes there’s an open circuit between the PCM and G108. Since the solenoid circuit isn’t working properly, it’s not surprising that the PCM is seeing unexpected camshaft position readings. So start by fixing the P0013 problem first.

Troubleshoot the problem by checking for good ground at the black wire at the solenoid. If you don’t see good ground, trace the black wire to find the open between the solenoid and G108. If you do have ground at the solenoid, conduct the shop manual resistance and continuity test on the solenoid itself.

P0013 Bank 1 Camshaft 2 Position Actuator Circuit Open

P0014 Exhaust Target Error Bank 1

P0016 Crankshaft/Camshaft Timing Misalignment

©, 2016 Rick Muscoplat