2014 Chevy Impala Exhaust Cam Shaft Solenoid testing and fix.

What are the symptoms of this issue?

P0013 Exhaust Cam Shaft Solenoid Control
P0014 Exhaust Cam Shaft Solenoid Circuit




These codes were stored on a 2014 Chevy Impala 2.5L Echotech engine. The TSB's referenced were specific to P0011 and P0014, but they still are very educational for testing the system, especially if the wires are at fault and not the exhaust cam shaft solenoid itself.

What are the step by step testing suggestions? 

1. Check with your *scan tool that the exhaust cam shaft actuator does not change position when commanded up to 15%.

2. Checking the actuator and solenoid status will help you do wire wiggle tests. Example: when I wiggled the wire the solenoids status would go from okay to malfunctioning and back again, but when I twisted on the solenoids body without touching the wires, it was also go in and out of okay and malfunctioning.

3. Verify the PCM is attempting control of the solenoid. Back probing got me a varying voltage from 7 to 12 volts. On an oscilloscope it would be a square wave pattern. If there's any issue follow for the wire tests or if you need understanding on the system: #PIP5096C or #PIP5162: P0011 P0014
4. Replace solenoid if faulty. If replacing the solenoid, dip the actuator end in clean oil first.
5. One TSB suggested removing the old one, using a rag and air pressure to blow out the oil channel. Ensure clean oil, change if necessary, check to see if codes reset.

What fixed it?

Replaced Exhaust Cam Shaft Solenoid and verified PCM's both control over the actuator and the solenoid's status.

Possible fixes: damaged wiring, cleaning the oil passages behind the Exhaust Cam Shaft Solenoid.

*Note: a dealer level scan tool will likely be required to go this deep in testing. It'll require a scantool with bi-directional control and be fully compatible with Chevy's PCM.

By AutoBravado