What are the most common causes of P0017?

The most common causes are: Stretched or jumped timing chain; Worn timing chain guides or tensioner; Exhaust cam phaser stuck out of position; Low or dirty oil affecting the tensioner and phaser; Failed exhaust camshaft or crankshaft position sensor.

How much does it cost to fix P0017?

Typical US independent-shop repair cost for P0017 runs about $150 - $1,800, depending on the root cause. Common fixes: Replace a faulty exhaust camshaft or crankshaft position sensor (about $150 - $300 at a shop); Replace the exhaust cam phaser (about $400 - $900 at a shop); Replace the timing chain, guides and tensioner (about $600 - $1,800 at a shop).

Will P0017 clear itself?

No, not on its own. P0017 will keep coming back every time the relevant monitor re-runs until the underlying cause is actually repaired - clearing it with a scan tool without fixing what triggered it only delays the light coming back on.

P0017: Crankshaft / Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B)

P0017 quick answer

P0017 means the exhaust cam and crankshaft are out of sync on bank 1. With P0016 it usually means a stretched timing chain; alone, check oil, the exhaust cam sensor, and the phaser.

Severity: High
Can I drive? Not for long. When P0017 appears with P0016, the timing chain has likely stretched, and a chain that keeps stretching can skip a tooth and cause serious engine damage on many engines.
Typical fix: $150 - $1,800

Also written as PO017 or P017 or PO17.

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What P0017 means

P0017 means the crankshaft and the bank 1 exhaust camshaft (sensor B) are out of their expected relationship. It is the exhaust-cam sibling of P0016, and when both codes appear together the usual cause is a stretched or jumped timing chain. It can also come from a stuck exhaust cam phaser, a failing cam or crank sensor, or a damaged reluctor wheel.

Symptoms of P0017

Check-engine light on
Rattle from the timing cover at start-up
Rough running and reduced power
Hard starting or no-start in severe cases

Is it safe to drive with P0017?

Not for long. When P0017 appears with P0016, the timing chain has likely stretched, and a chain that keeps stretching can skip a tooth and cause serious engine damage on many engines. If you hear a rattle at start-up or the engine runs rough, have it diagnosed before driving further, and consider a tow rather than a long drive.

What the P0017 fix costs

Fix	DIY parts	At a shop
Replace a faulty exhaust camshaft or crankshaft position sensor	$30 - $100	$150 - $300
Replace the exhaust cam phaser	$150 - $400	$400 - $900
Replace the timing chain, guides and tensioner	$150 - $500	$600 - $1,800

Ranges are rounded and for the US market only - actual price depends on region, shop labor rates, and the exact make and model.

Parts that commonly fix P0017

VVT solenoid (oil control valve) - After an oil change, the cheapest likely cause - a stuck or screen-clogged VVT solenoid
Camshaft position sensor - A failing cam sensor can report a false correlation - test before replacing
Crankshaft position sensor - Less common for correlation codes, but a cheap check on the crank side
Timing chain kit - The expensive cause: a stretched chain. Buy a full kit (chain, guides, tensioner) only after it is confirmed
OBD-II scanner - Reads and clears codes, and shows live data so you fix the cause rather than the symptom

Most of these open an Amazon search - add your year, make and model, because most of these parts are fitment-specific. A few link straight to the exact tool or part we have verified, because it fits any vehicle.

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What P0017 actually means

P0017 means the engine computer sees the crankshaft and the bank 1 exhaust camshaft (sensor B) out of their expected relationship. It is the exhaust-cam sibling of P0016. Because both cams are driven by the same timing chain on most engines, P0017 - especially together with P0016 - is a classic sign of a stretched chain, a jumped tooth, or a worn guide or tensioner. It can also come from an exhaust cam phaser stuck out of its park position, a failing cam or crank sensor, or a damaged reluctor wheel.

How to diagnose P0017 step by step

Step 1: Note every code stored alongside P0017 P0016 and P0017 together point strongly at chain stretch or a jumped tooth, because both cams have moved relative to the crank. P0017 alone with P0014 points more toward the exhaust phaser or its oil supply. Record the combination before touching anything, because it decides which branch you follow.
Step 2: Check oil level and condition, then listen at cold start Low or sludged oil lets the tensioner and phaser misbehave. Top up or change the oil, then listen at the next cold start: a rattle lasting a few seconds from the timing cover suggests a weak tensioner or stretched chain. No noise and a clean result after the oil change suggests the fault was oil-related.
Step 3: Inspect the exhaust cam sensor and its connector Look for oil inside the connector, corroded pins, or chafed wiring. Compare the sensor signal on a scope if available. A sensor that drops out or reads erratically can set a correlation code without any mechanical fault. If the wiring and signal look clean, move on to timing data.
Step 4: Read cam and crank correlation values on a scan tool Many engines report a cam-to-crank offset or correlation value in degrees. Compare it to the specification in the service information. A value near the limit on both cams points at chain stretch; only the exhaust cam out of range points at its phaser, sensor target, or a one-tooth jump on that sprocket.
Step 5: Verify mechanical timing marks before ordering a chain kit With the engine at top dead center on cylinder 1, remove the valve cover or timing cover access and check the cam and crank marks against the service manual. Marks that are off confirm chain or sprocket problems. Marks that line up send you back to the phaser and sensor.

The most common P0017 misdiagnosis

Replacing the exhaust cam sensor over and over when P0017 comes with P0016. When both cams are out of correlation with the crank, the sensors are almost never the problem - the chain has stretched or jumped, and driving on it risks the chain skipping further.

Tools you need for P0017

OBD-II scanner with live data - Reads the cam-to-crank correlation values that separate chain stretch from a sensor or phaser fault.
Digital multimeter - Checks the cam sensor supply, ground, and signal wiring before you blame the chain.
Mechanic stethoscope - Helps locate a cold-start rattle to the timing cover versus elsewhere in the engine.

Parts you may need for P0017

Exhaust camshaft position sensor - The cheap possibility when the signal is erratic or the connector is oil-soaked.
Timing chain kit with guides and tensioner - The durable fix when correlation values and timing marks confirm stretch - replace the whole set, not just the chain.
Exhaust cam phaser - For cases where only the exhaust cam is out of range and the phaser will not return to its locked position.

P0017: DIY or pay a shop?

Difficulty: Hard. Time: 1 - 10 hours. DIY parts: $30 - $500. Shop total: $150 - $1800.

The oil check, sensor, and connector inspection are fair DIY work. A timing chain job is not: it often means removing the front cover, locking the cams, and getting every mark right, and an error can bend valves. Diagnose the cheap side yourself, then have a shop verify stretch before paying for a chain kit.

How to stop P0017 coming back

Keep oil changes on schedule and the level topped up. Chain tensioners on most modern engines are pushed by oil pressure, and chain wear accelerates with dirty or low oil. Timing chain stretch codes are far more common on engines with long or missed oil intervals. Log every oil change in ServiceSage and get a reminder before the next, so the chain and tensioner always have clean oil behind them. Track this maintenance free.