2007 XC90 CEL DTC P0012

ge5mon · Post by **ge5mon** » 24 Feb 2023, 00:36

A 2007 Volvo XC90 3.2L with Check Engine Light going on with DTC P0012 which is a Camshaft Intake Timing retarded bank 1. In the picture the Red circles are the VVT Solenoids. What are the parts in the Green circles and Blue circle? And are both VVT Solenoids responsible for bank 1 or what solenoid is for what bank (passenger side vs driver side). So far, an oil change with Mobil 1 full synthetic and an OEM filter has not resolved the issue. Cleaning the VVT Solenoids with brake fluid cleaner has not resolved the issue. An attempt was made to apply 12V to the VVT Solenoids individually to test them but testing was inconclusive. Did try to swap the VVT Solenoids from Passenger to Driver side and Driver to Passenger Side but that did not resolve the issue.

Post by **ggleavitt** » 24 Feb 2023, 10:56

Seems like you've followed most of what VIDA (Volvo reference and diagnostic documentation) would suggest for this error (camshaft profile "target" angle takes too long to achieve).

Bad oil, dirty and/or compromised solenoids and poor oil pressure are noted in the documentation. There are a couple solenoid cleaning procedures with one in place (via VIDA/DICE) and one after removal from the motor.

You've cleaned and switched the solenoids, changed the oil and filter and you're still with the same issue. As the camshaft profile (CPS) is driven by oil pressure as modulated by the solenoid, I'm wondering if maybe you might have an oil pressure problem?

Green circled items are the camshaft position sensors (CPS).

ge5mon · Post by **ge5mon** » 01 Mar 2023, 20:54

Thanks ggleavitt. Please explain the cleaning procedures for the solenoids and if I am trying to clean the correct parts for this P0012 DTC error code since there are various names in the aftermarket for the part(s) and I was not referencing VIDA. For example, what I thought was the Oil Control Valve has been termed the VVT Intake Solenoid. Note that I tried to search for a VIDA code scanner, if there is such a thing, on Amazon and found nothing related to automobiles when looking. To elaborate, the car has Mobil 1 5W-30 oil and a new OEM quality oil filter, and had the same oil previously. Have only done two oil changes on the car. When I bought it, the oil was new looking. Neither oil was ran very long, as I've put less than 5K on the car and have done the second oil change recently. According to the aftermarket, the above pictured VVT solenoid part is for the "exhaust". There are two in the car. Is one "exhaust" and the other "intake", and if so which one is exhaust: the passenger or driver side, and which one is intake: the passenger side or driver side? Or is what I thought was the Oil Control Valve the part that is for the intake and will throw the P0012 code so that I need to be sure to clean, even though I thought I cleaned it maybe I didn't do it properly? In other words, in the picture of the cylinder head above, which part would throw the code?

Note that I think according to what I have read on the internet about this car that it has a timing chain that is expected to last a lifetime. So there is no service interval to change it. At first I was looking at possibly inspecting or changing the timing belt as general maintenance to see if the code went away. That isn't needed if there is no service required for the timing chain. The car was not throwing this code when I bought it while it did leave me stranded three times in mountain driving, it seemed to have voltage regulator and alternator issues before. I did do a "battery check" today with a generic OBD2 reader and it said it was good. It is my understanding that this isn't an exhaustive battery check so I guess it is possible that it needs a new battery. As the car relies heavily on electronics, a weak battery could perhaps cause all kinds of problems. As could a fake alternator. The voltage with the car running seems fine to me, a bit above 14V. While driving it may dip down a bit but still a bit above 14V.

Please advise on a VIDA scanner for the car with repair procedures if there is such a thing.

UPDATE: Did try cleaning the Oil Control Valve again, the blue circled part in the picture, and tested it with 12V car battery and hear it click but do not visually see anything moving. If it is a solenoid I was not able to see any solenoid moving in any way, shape or form. Also, did get two generic aftermarket parts for the two red circled parts, and tested them with 12V car battery and heard consistent clicks, though also was not able to visually verify that the solenoids moved. Guess it may not be easy to see the solenoid move on these parts. The Volvo VVT Solenoids, red circled parts, did click the first few times on the 12V car battery but did not consistently click so may be stuck. I am soaking them in some cleaning solution and have tried to clean them again. Feel like I am walking in a dark building trying to find the answer here and there are no lights in the building. The P0012 code is still being thrown. Note that the car also sounds like a rough running car, perhaps with some light "knocking" noise. Sorry, it is hard to explain the sound in words as there is a limit to how to describe it in a forum post. It should have a smooth running sound. It does not. I'm guessing that is because of the P0012 and not something else. I really want to solve this P0012 code problem first.

ge5mon · Post by **ge5mon** » 01 Mar 2023, 21:12

UPDATE 2: Did get a generic Volvo code reader, and let it scan while the car was running with the P0012 code tripped and not reset. It did not help me at all to find out what is causing the P0012. And this generic Volvo code reader has no repair assistance at all built in to it. Did use the battery test on start with the Volvo code reader and it graphed the voltage. Most of the Volvo module codes are from the power failure awhile ago when the voltage regulator failed and alternator failed and don't seem to be related to the P0012. They don't include dates of set which would be good if they did. The oil level was fine when I checked. Don't seem to have a way to check oil pressure, and it is frustrating that these modern OBD2 cars don't have a digital oil pressure reading on the dash. That really would be helpful to drivers of "modern" OBD2 combustion engine cars.

murmur · Post by **murmur** » 03 Sep 2023, 08:41

It's been a few months since you posted on this topic, but I'm chasing the exact same issue on my 2008 XC90 3.2. I have replaced the sensor circled in blue on your photo (thought this was VVT solenoid but perhaps not) and one of the camshaft position sensors (circled in green on your photo) to switch them around and see if the codes change accordingly. No difference.

I have not changed either of the two solenoids you have circled in red on your photo.

At this point I feel like I'm throwing the parts cannon at the problem! Curious if you were able to resolve the issue.

EDIT: I had understood the sensors in blue on your photo to be the intake VVT sensor, the sensors in red to be the exhaust VVT sensors (there would be 2 because of the 2 separate exhaust streams), and the green to be the camshaft position sensors. If you've found differently, I'd be interested in correcting my understanding.

Fizzgig · Post by **Fizzgig** » 09 Dec 2023, 17:07

BUMP:

2008 XC90 3.2 also.

Would anyone have part numbers for the VVT solenoids in green? Heavy misfiring and P003F flashed on the OBD and from all of the other forum postings it seems like there's a lot of different info out there regarding models/part numbers.

Any info or links would be very appreciated.

Thanks!

Andesh · Post by **Andesh** » 16 Dec 2023, 00:28

Volvo Camshaft Position Sensor - OE Supplier 31491073.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... r-31272689

Fizzgig · Post by **Fizzgig** » 16 Dec 2023, 00:32

Thanks, Andesh!

Out of curiosity, would you happen to know the part numbers for the VVT solenoids in red?

Thanks again!

Smirniy · Post by **Smirniy** » 27 Jul 2024, 18:40

Hello. Have anyone solved this problem, because I had the same?