BrownGuy51

Hello all! My 12’ RX450h which has recently surpassed 145k miles has been throwing up P0011 (Camshaft Position A - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1) code and as well as P0012 (Intake (A) Camshaft Position Timing – Over-Retarded (Bank 1))/P0016 (Crankshaft Position/Camshaft Position, Bank 1 Sensor A) codes. For context when I am doing my monthly Boston to NY drive there is a very long ascent on one portion of the highway in which my engine is under lots of load and as a result the first time the MIL was on for a P0011. The second time this has happened in the same area I got a P0012 and a P0016 code. There are no symptoms beyond the MIL and the car seems to run perfectly fine with no change. What should I do? Anything helps thank you!

Roscol

The ECM optimizes the intake valve timing using the VVT (Variable Valve Timing) system to control the intake camshaft. The VVT system includes the ECM, the camshaft timing oil control valve assembly and the camshaft timing gear assembly. The ECM sends a target duty-cycle control signal to the camshaft timing oil control valve assembly. This control signal regulates the oil pressure supplied to the camshaft timing gear assembly. The camshaft timing gear assembly can advance or retard the intake camshaft.
If the difference between the target and actual intake valve timing is large, and changes in the actual intake valve timing are small, the ECM interprets this as a camshaft timing gear assembly stuck malfunction and sets a DTC.

1. Example:
2. A DTC is set when the following conditions "A" and "B" are met:
   1. It takes 5 seconds or more to change the valve timing by 5°CA (Condition "A").
   2. After the above condition is met, the camshaft timing oil control valve is forcibly activated for 63 times (when the vehicle is idling, this takes approximately 100 seconds) (Condition "B").
3. The monitor will run if all of the following conditions are met:
4. DTC P0011 (Advanced Cam Timing) is subject to 1 trip detection logic.
5. DTC P0012 (Retarded Cam Timing) is subject to 2 trip detection logic.
6. These DTCs indicate that the camshaft timing gear assembly cannot operate properly due to camshaft timing oil control valve assembly malfunctions or the presence of foreign objects in the camshaft timing oil control valve assembly.

Roscol

DTC P0011 or P0012 may be set when foreign objects in the engine oil are caught in some parts of the system. The DTC will remain set even if the system returns to normal after a short time. Foreign objects are filtered out by the oil filter.


Based on what I’m seeing online, an oil change and filter change might help.

BrownGuy51

I just changed the oil and filter 3 weeks ago myself. I’ve had the car since June and put about 10,000 miles on it and in between then and now I’ve done 3 oil changes since then (One after buying and then two more for every 5k) I also read an oil change and filter would help but with one done so recently i think it’s a possibility it could be something else perhaps? I very much appreciate the step by step breakdown and help though!

Clutchless

Check your 12 volt battery condition, if it is the original battery, replace it. Low voltage can also cause havoc with warning lights.

Next oil change use brake cleaner spray to clean out the oil filter housing.

afpj

Aside from what's already suggested, codes all pont to bank 1. Might use an inspection camera back there check wiring to the sensors, vvt controllers. Maybe a critter had some snack.