P0019
PowertrainCrankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor B)
You'll usually notice this one as a rough idle that won't settle, maybe a stumble when you put your foot down, and the engine light staring back at you. What's actually happening is the ECM is watching the crank position sensor and the bank 2 exhaust cam sensor (sensor B), and the two aren't lining up the way they should. That correlation gap tells the ECM the timing on that bank is off, and on most V6 and V8 engines it's pointing at either the variable valve timing system or a chain that's started to stretch.
ⓘ Information only. This page provides general educational information about fault code P0019. We do not assess the urgency or safety implications of any specific fault. That requires in-person diagnosis by a qualified mechanic. Full terms.
Recommended next steps
Whether a fault is urgent, drivable, or routine depends entirely on the cause on a specific vehicle, and that can only be determined by a qualified mechanic with diagnostic equipment. If a warning light is illuminated, the most reliable next step is professional diagnosis.
What does P0019 mean?
P0019 is a Powertrain (engine, transmission, fuel system) fault code. It indicates: Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor B).
This is a standardised OBD-II code. The technical definition is the same regardless of the make or model of vehicle, although specific causes and symptoms can vary between vehicles.
Symptoms commonly associated with this code
Symptoms that drivers often report alongside this code. Not all may apply to every case:
- • Engine warning light on, sometimes with the engine dropping into limp mode
- • Rough, hunting idle that doesn't smooth out as the engine warms
- • Hesitation or a flat spot when accelerating, worst in the low to mid range
- • Noticeable loss of power, the car feels gutless compared to normal
- • Harder starting, particularly first thing on a cold morning
- • Worse fuel economy creeping up over a few tankfuls
- • In bad cases the engine cuts out at junctions or low revs
Possible causes
Causes commonly associated with P0019, listed in approximate order of typical investigation. The actual cause on a specific vehicle can only be confirmed by professional diagnosis.
- 1. Stretched timing chain on bank 2, very common on higher-mileage chain-driven engines. As the chain wears it lets the cam drift out of sync with the crank and the ECM flags the gap
- 2. Faulty bank 2 exhaust camshaft position sensor (sensor B) sending a poor or intermittent signal
- 3. VVT actuator or solenoid sticking, often because the engine oil is dirty or low. This is the cheap-to-rule-out cause so check it early
- 4. Low or degraded oil starving the VVT system of pressure, so the cam phaser can't hold the right position
- 5. Crankshaft position sensor giving an erratic signal that throws off the correlation
- 6. Damaged, corroded or loose wiring and connectors in the cam or crank sensor circuits
- 7. ECM internal or software fault, rare and only worth considering once everything else checks out
How mechanics typically diagnose
A typical diagnostic sequence used by mechanics, provided here for educational reference only. Diagnostic work should be performed by a qualified mechanic with the appropriate tools and training.
- 1. Check the oil level and condition before anything else. Low or sludgy oil chokes the VVT system, and a service plus the right viscosity oil sometimes clears P0019 outright
- 2. Read all stored codes, not just this one. P0016 through P0018 and crank sensor codes like P0335 often sit alongside it and point you straight at the cause
- 3. Inspect the bank 2 cam sensor and crank sensor wiring and plugs for corrosion, chafing or a loose terminal letting moisture in
- 4. Watch live data and compare the cam and crank sensor traces against the workshop figures. An oscilloscope makes the pattern obvious if a sensor is dropping out
- 5. Command the VVT solenoid open and closed with the scan tool and see if the cam timing actually moves. A stuck solenoid won't respond
- 6. If sensors, wiring and the VVT side all test clean, the chain is the prime suspect. Listen for a rattle on cold start and check the timing under the cover
Common questions about P0019
Can I sort this myself, or do I need a garage? +
You can knock off the easy stuff at home. Check the oil first because low or filthy oil is a genuine cause, so an oil and filter change with the correct grade is worth doing before you spend anything else. Cleaning up a corroded sensor plug is also fair game. Beyond that you're into reading live data and, on most V6 and V8 layouts, getting to a cam sensor or timing chain that's tucked away behind the engine. That's a garage job, and if it's the chain you want someone who's done it on your engine before.
If I clear the code, will it stay gone or come straight back? +
Depends entirely on what set it. If the fault was dirty oil and you've done an oil change, clearing it and driving a few cycles can sort it for good. But if there's a stretched chain or a dying sensor, the ECM will see the correlation error again within minutes or a few drives and the light comes back. Clearing it without fixing the cause is just hiding the warning, and you risk running the engine with timing that's drifting further out.
What happens if I just keep driving with it? +
In a mild case the car may run, but the ECM often pulls power to protect the engine, so you'll feel it gutless and it can stall without warning. The real worry is the chain. If the correlation fault is a chain that's badly stretched, carrying on risks it jumping a tooth or letting go, and on an interference engine that means bent valves and a repair bill in the four figures. Get it looked at sooner rather than later, especially if you hear a rattle on cold start.
Information only, not professional advice
The information on this page is provided for general guidance and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for diagnosis or repair advice from a qualified mechanic. Always verify any fault before paying for repairs. carfaultcodes.co.uk accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information. Full terms →