What P0012 means
Posición del árbol de levas A - Exceso de retardo (Banco 1)
How to diagnose
- Read freeze frame data. When P0012 set, your ECU snapshotted every sensor at that moment. This tells you what the car was doing when the fault triggered — RPM, load, coolant temp, throttle position, fuel trims. Almost always enough info to figure out the cause without further testing.
- Check for related codes. If you have P0012 plus other codes, fix the earliest one in the chain first — a single root cause often triggers multiple codes.
- Cheap fixes first. For most codes, the order is: inspect connectors + wiring (free), check for vacuum leaks (cheap), replace sensor (moderate), replace mechanical part (expensive). Follow that ladder before dropping money on parts.
Manufacturer-specific descriptions
Different manufacturers use P0012 for slightly different failure modes:
| AUDI | Camshaft variable timing solenoid failure, Engine oil level is too low, The engine is not timed correctly, The engine oil does not meet the manufacturer's requirements, Variable valve timing actuator failure, Worn timing chain |
| BMW | "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded |
| MITSUBISHI | A Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1); V.V.T. over retarded |
| NISSAN | A Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1) |
Read P0012 on your own car
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