P0023 – “B Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 2)”

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✅ Meaning of P0023

P0023 indicates an electrical problem in the “B” camshaft actuator solenoid (usually exhaust camshaft) on Bank 2 (the side of the engine NOT containing cylinder 1).

This is not a timing issue — it is an electrical circuit fault (wiring/solenoid/ECM control).

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🔧 Common Causes

1. Faulty VVT solenoid (exhaust – Bank 2)

2. Broken / damaged wiring or connector to the VVT solenoid

3. Open circuit or short circuit in the solenoid

4. Low/dirty engine oil (less common but possible)

5. ECM driver fault (rare)

6. Oil control passages blocked (less common)

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🧪 Step-by-Step Diagnosis (Mechanic-Level)

1. Check Engine Oil Condition

Oil level correct?

Oil too dirty or sludge?
→ Dirty oil can affect actuator performance.

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2. Inspect Wiring to VVT Solenoid (Bank 2 – Exhaust/B Cam)

Look for:

Broken wires

Oil inside connector

Loose pins

Corrosion

Damaged insulation touching metal (short to ground)

➡️ Repair wiring as needed.

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3. Test the VVT Solenoid (Bank 2 – Exhaust)

Use a multimeter:

A. Solenoid Resistance Test
Typical: 6–12 Ω (varies by car)

If open circuit → replace solenoid

If resistance too low → shorted → replace

B. Power Supply Scan

Key ON: one wire must have battery voltage

The other wire is ECM-controlled ground

If no power → wiring or fuse issue.

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4. Perform Actuator Command with Scanner

Using OBD scanner with Active Test:

Command VVT solenoid ON/OFF

Observe RPM change

If no response → solenoid faulty or not receiving signal

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5. Check ECM Driver (Rare Case)

Only if:

Wiring OK

Solenoid OK

Power supply OK

But ECM not grounding the control wire

Then suspect ECM driver failure.

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🔧 Most Common Fixes

Replace Exhaust VVT Solenoid – Bank 2 (“B” solenoid)

Repair/replace damaged wiring or connector

Perform oil change

Clean oil control passage

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