P0026
Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Range/Performance Bank 1
Variable valve timing
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P0026 means the ECM commanded the bank 1 intake valve-timing (VVT) solenoid, but the resulting camshaft position was out of the expected range. It's a performance fault rather than a wiring short, and it's frequently caused by dirty or low oil, a sticking solenoid, or clogged oil passages. The engine may idle rough and lose some power.
High
Can I keep driving? Usually drivable but not ideal — the engine may idle rough and lose some power. Fix it soon, since it often stems from dirty or low oil that can cause further wear.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Rough or unstable idle
- Reduced power and poor acceleration
- Reduced fuel economy
Common causes
Most likely first
- Dirty, low, or wrong-viscosity oil, or an overdue oil change restricting flowLikely
- Stuck or faulty intake valve control (VVT) solenoid, bank 1Common
- Clogged or dirty oil passages or the solenoid screenCommon
- Worn camshaft phaserLess often
- Wiring or connector problems at the solenoidLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Check engine oil level and condition first; change oil and filter if dirty or overdue.
- Scan and read freeze-frame data to confirm conditions when the fault set.
- Test the intake VVT solenoid; clean or replace it if it's sticking or out of spec.
- Clean clogged oil passages and the solenoid screen.
- Inspect wiring and connector, and replace the phaser only if it proves worn.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0026?+
Short trips are usually fine, but the engine may run rough and lose power. Since it often points to dirty or low oil, have it checked soon to prevent further wear.
Can I just clear P0026?+
It will return until the VVT solenoid, oil condition, or phaser is addressed. An overdue oil change is a common first fix.
Related codes
Often seen with P0026
Read & clear P0026 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