Sharp Engine rattle noise at startup

Diagnose and fix engine rattle noise with P0011, P0014, P0016, or P0017

GM 2.0, 2.2 and 2.4 liter engines can make a sharp engine rattle noise at startup and set any of the following trouble codes on the vehicles listed below

2010 Buick LaCrosse

2009-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

2010 Chevrolet Equinox

2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR

2009-2010 Chevrolet Malibu

2010 GMC Terrain

2009-2010 Pontiac G5

2009-2010 Pontiac G6

2009-2010 Pontiac Solstice

2009-2010 Saturn Aura

2009-2010 Saturn Sky

2009-2010 Saturn Vue

What are P0010, P0011, P0014, P0016, or P0017 trouble codes?

P0010 Intake Camshaft Position (CMP) Actuator Solenoid Control Circuit

P0011 Intake Camshaft Position (CMP) System Performance

P0013: Exhaust Camshaft Position (CMP) Actuator Solenoid Control Circuit

P0014: Exhaust Camshaft Position (CMP) System Performance

P0016 Crankshaft Position— Intake Camshaft Position Not Plausible

P0017 Crankshaft Position— Exhaust Camshaft Position Not Plausible

What are camshaft actuators?

These engines are equipped with a camshaft position actuator on the end of

Camshaft position solenoid

intake and exhaust camshafts. The camshaft actuators can change camshaft angle by up to 25°. The camshaft actuators are operated by varying the oil pressure. The varying mechanism is a pulse-width modulated solenoid controlled by the powertrain control module (PCM). The solenoid valve operates from 12-v power and the amount of time the valve is open to allow oil flow versus time closed is what determines camshaft actuator position. The actuators advance or retard camshaft timing to achieve optimum desired power, emissions and MPG.

What causes these trouble codes?

The PCM commands camshaft timing and expects to see the camshafts rotated based on data from the camshaft position sensors. If the PCM commands rotation but doesn’t see the correct data from the camshaft position sensor, it sets a trouble code and lights the service engine soon or check engine light.

To set the P0010 or P0013 trouble code, the PCM must see:

• Trouble codes P0335, P0336, P0340, and P0341 are not set

• Battery voltage must be 11-18-v

• The engine is running

• The PCM has commanded the Camshaft Position Actuator Solenoid valve ON

• The commanded state of the driver and the actual state of the control circuit do not match for longer than 5-seconds.

• The PCM detects an open, short to ground, or a short to voltage on the high control circuit or an open on the low reference circuit for more than 0.25 second.

To set the P0011 or P0014 trouble code, the PCM must see:

• P0010, P0013, P0016, P0017, P0335, P0336, P0340, P0341, P0365, or P0366 trouble codes are not set.

• Battery voltage must be 11-18-v

• The engine is running

• The PCM has commanded the Camshaft Position

Camshaft position sensor

Actuator Solenoid valve ON

• The desired versus actual camshaft position is no greater than 25° or less than 5°

• The desired camshaft angle versus actual camshaft angle is more than 6°

• The difference is present for more than 13.5-seconds

Diagnose P0013 and P0014

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the CMP actuator solenoid harness connector at the CMP actuator solenoid.

2. Test for less than 5 ohms between the low reference circuit terminal B and ground. If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. Verify that a test lamp does not illuminate between the low reference circuit terminal B and the control circuit terminal A.

3. If the test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

4. Remove the test lamp. Command the CMP Actuator Sol. ON with a scan tool. Verify the scan tool CMP Sol Ckt Short Gnd Test status is OK.

5. If not the specified value, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the control circuit terminal A and the low reference circuit terminal B. Command the CMP Actuator Sol. ON with a scan tool. Verify the scan tool CMP Sol Ckt Short Gnd Test status is Fault.

6. If not the specified value, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the CMP actuator solenoid.

GM service bulletin PIP4716F Sharp Engine Rattle

In addition to all the testing above, GM has issued a service bulletin to address a sharp engine noise tattle at start up, along with the trouble codes. GM recommends inspecting the accessory drive belt area, power steering pulley to ensure the noise isn’t due to a fault in the serpentine belt or automatic belt tensioner system.

If the noise is very sharp and present in short 2-5 second spurts, GM says the problem is with the cam actuators not parking properly. The fix is to replace the camshaft actuators. In addition to replacing the actuators, look for dirt or debris in the solenoid screens.

©, 2017 Rick Muscoplat