P0017
Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor B
Camshaft/crankshaft timing
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P0017 means the engine computer sees the crankshaft and the Bank 1 "B" (usually exhaust) camshaft rotating out of their expected alignment. It most often points to a stretched or jumped timing chain, a worn variable valve timing phaser, or a cam/crank sensor fault. The engine may run rough, start hard, or in bad cases risk internal damage.
High
Can I keep driving? Risky — it may run rough or start hard; if the cause is a stretched or jumping timing chain, keep driving to a minimum to avoid valve and piston damage.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Rough idle or stalling
- Hard starting or extended cranking
- Reduced power and hesitation
- Rattle from the timing chain area on a cold start
Common causes
Most likely first
- Stretched or jumped timing chain, or a misaligned timing beltLikely
- Worn or stuck variable valve timing (VVT) phaser/actuatorCommon
- Stuck or clogged camshaft oil control valve, often from low or dirty oilCommon
- Faulty camshaft (B) or crankshaft position sensorLess often
- Damaged reluctor/tone wheel or wiring/connector faultsLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame and check engine oil level and condition — low or dirty oil is a common trigger for VVT faults.
- Inspect the Bank 1 camshaft (B) and crankshaft position sensors and their wiring/connectors.
- Test and clean the camshaft oil control valve; measure its resistance against spec.
- Check the timing chain for stretch or guide wear (listen for cold-start rattle) and verify timing marks.
- Repair or replace the faulty component, clear the code, and road-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0017?+
Not really — timing that's out of correlation can make the engine run rough or stall, and a jumped chain can cause serious internal damage on an interference engine. Keep driving to a minimum until it's diagnosed.
Can I just clear P0017?+
You can, but it returns on the next drive cycle unless the timing fault or sensor is fixed — and ignoring a stretched chain risks bent valves.
Related codes
Often seen with P0017
Read & clear P0017 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX