What does the P005C trouble code mean?
The P005C trouble code, applicable to all car manufacturers, means “B Camshaft Profile Control Performance/Stuck Off (Bank 2)“.
Background Information: The camshaft controls the opening and closing of the valves. In a variable valve timing system, the electronic camshaft adjustment valve (or oil control valve, OCV) adjusts the camshaft angle by changing the oil pressure to the camshaft adjuster (mechanical) according to instructions from the engine control module (ECM), ensuring that the valves open and close at the optimal time. This optimizes engine efficiency and power across all speed ranges. This trouble code indicates a malfunction in the B (exhaust/right/rear) camshaft profile control or that it is stuck in the closed position.
What are the symptoms of the P005C trouble code?
- Low power
- Poor driving performance
- Reduced fuel economy
- Abnormal throttle response
- General decrease in efficiency
- Altered power band
What are the common causes of the P005C trouble code?
- Lack of oil maintenance
- Incorrect oil
- Contaminated oil
- Faulty oil solenoid valve
- Stuck valve
- Broken wire, electrical short circuit (internal or mechanical short)
- Engine control module (ECM) problem
Common vehicles with P005C trouble code issues:
- Tz Sider
- Seat 600
- Honda Quintet
- Suzuki Kizashi
- Audi Q5
- Daewoo Korando
- Peugeot 208 III
- Ford Megastar
- TVR Griffith
- Lamborghini LM
- Ginetta G20
- Honda N III
How to diagnose the P005C trouble code
- First, check your engine oil. Is the oil level sufficient? Is it clean? Does it meet the manufacturer’s required viscosity grade? If the oil is dirty, the oil level is low, or the viscosity is incorrect, change the oil and oil filter. If you haven’t changed your oil in a long time, this is the first warning sign.
- Next, carefully inspect the wiring and connectors of the camshaft profile control system for cylinder bank 2. Check if the insulation layer is cracked, the wires are broken, or the connector is loose due to severe engine vibration.
- A little trick: Before reassembling, spray some high-quality electronic contact cleaner on the connector. You’ll be surprised to find that simple cleaning and reconnection often solve the problem.
- If the visual and cleaning checks are satisfactory, then it’s time to check the oil control solenoid valve. Measure the resistance with a multimeter, or—if you have a suitable diagnostic tool—observe its response by switching the solenoid valve on and off. If it’s stuck or the reading is out of range, you’ll need to replace it.
- Finally, check if there are any Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for your vehicle make and model. Car manufacturers sometimes release updates or fixes when they discover recurring problems.
Always start with the basics—such as changing the oil and checking the wiring—before moving on to deeper, more expensive components. You’ll be surprised how many problems can be solved here.
How to Fix P005C Code
Before we begin, let’s look at the repair process steps for P005C:
- A qualified technician will first use an OBD2 scanner tool to access the P005C code stored in the ECU.
- The technician will note the presence of the P005C code and its associated freeze frame data.
- After all, if you are certain that the engine fault has been resolved, the fault code will be cleared.
- If you notice the engine making strange noises while idling at a red light or preparing to shift gears, try changing the oil filter and checking the pressure regulator to adjust for any discrepancies. If you have difficulty starting the vehicle and it doesn’t start immediately, this could also be a sign of a defective fuel pressure regulator.
- The computer in every fuel-injected vehicle must understand two factors to determine the correct cold start air/fuel mixture: engine coolant temperature and outside air temperature. Your symptoms are exactly the same as an engine coolant temperature sensor (ECT) malfunction. The computer is measuring an air-fuel mixture, but the mixture is too lean.
Sometimes the P005C code is accompanied by the P005C00 code.
Other diagnostic codes related to OBD code P005C:
P005A – B Camshaft Profile Control Performance/Stuck Off (Bank 1)
P005B – B Camshaft Profile Control Stuck On (Bank 1)
P005D – B Camshaft Profile Control Stuck On (Bank 2)