P0014 is "Camshaft Position B — Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance, Bank 1." The exhaust camshaft is not where the engine control module wants it. On a Chevrolet Equinox the right diagnosis depends on which engine you have: the 2.4L four-cylinder has a GM bulletin naming both solenoid part numbers, while the 3.0L and 3.6L V6 engines have a completely different one that starts by reading a sticker on the engine — and which specifically warns against the swap test that works on the four-cylinder.
Jump to a section: What P0014 means · Which engine do you have? · The 2.4L path and its part numbers · The V6 path: the EUN sticker check · The startup rattle bulletin · Symptoms · Causes and how to confirm each · How it's diagnosed · Parts and cost · GM documents · What other pages get wrong · FAQ
What Does P0014 Mean on a Chevy Equinox?
Variable valve timing rotates the camshaft relative to its sprocket using a phaser driven by engine oil. A solenoid valve — sometimes called an oil control valve — meters that oil, and the ECM commands it. The camshaft position sensor reports where the cam actually went.
P0014 sets when the exhaust camshaft's actual position sits further advanced than commanded, or when the system will not respond to commands the way the ECM expects. The "B" camshaft in the descriptor is the exhaust cam; the intake equivalent is P0011.
Two related codes are worth keeping straight. P0013 is the circuit code for the same exhaust solenoid — an electrical fault in the wiring or coil. P0014 is a performance code — the system is wired fine but the camshaft is not ending up where it should. A failing solenoid can produce either, or both.
And the whole system runs on oil pressure through a fine screen, which is why oil condition is the first thing to check on any of these codes.
First: Which Engine Do You Have?
This determines which GM document applies, and the two paths diverge more than most pages acknowledge.
| Engine | Years | Applicable GM document | Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L Ecotec (RPO LAF / LEA) | 2010–2017 | 17-NA-098 | Oil first, then solenoids — and GM says replace both |
| 3.0L V6 (RPO LF1 / LFW) | 2010–2011 | PIP5096C | Check the engine EUN sticker before testing anything |
| 3.6L V6 (RPO LFX) | 2012–2017 | PIP5096C | Same sticker check; also a known chain-wear engine |
One quick way to tell which family you are dealing with from the scan alone: P0021 and P0024 only exist on the V6. They are the Bank 2 equivalents of P0011 and P0014. A four-cylinder has one bank, so if those codes are present, you are on the V6 path.
The 2.4L Path — GM 17-NA-098 and Its Part Numbers
GM issued bulletin 17-NA-098, revised September 2019, covering 2010–2012 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain with the 2.4L engine (RPO LAF or LEA).
GM's described condition is an engine that runs rough, hesitates, is hard to start and/or stalls, with a technician finding P0010, P0013, P0011 or P0014 set or stored. The stated cause is camshaft position actuator solenoid valve failure. The correction is to replace both camshaft position actuator solenoid valves and verify the ECM has the most up-to-date software and calibrations installed.
| Part | GM part number | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Camshaft position actuator exhaust solenoid valve — the P0014 part | 12679100 | 1 |
| Camshaft position actuator intake solenoid valve | 12679099 | 1 |
Labor operation 4020140, at published SI time. If you are cross-referencing older listings, the exhaust solenoid has been sold under earlier numbers including 12655421 — the number in GM's current bulletin is 12679100.
On the four-cylinder, the swap test is free and conclusive. The two solenoids are physically identical and sit next to each other on top of the engine, one bolt each. Swap them, clear the codes, and drive. If P0014 becomes P0011, the solenoid is confirmed faulty. If P0014 stays on the exhaust side, the solenoid is not your problem and you have spent nothing finding that out.
Field experience suggests the exhaust solenoid tends to fail first, with the intake following not long after — which is the practical case for GM's "replace both" instruction. The parts are inexpensive and nearly all the effort is access.
The V6 Path — Check the Engine Sticker First
If your Equinox has the 3.0L or 3.6L V6, there is a different document and it changes the order of operations.
GM preliminary information PIP5096C addresses vehicles with a service engine soon light and codes P0011, P0014, P0021 and/or P0024 — and the defining detail is that these appear with no other drivability concerns. No rough running, no stalling, just the light and the codes. That is the opposite of the 2.4L presentation in 17-NA-098, and it is a useful discriminator on its own.
The instruction is to inspect the engine's EUN sticker. Where a specific identifier is present, the bulletin points to a known internal clearance issue with solenoids from a particular supplier and directs replacement with an updated service-grade part from a different supplier, rather than further testing.
The consequence worth flagging: PIP5096C advises against the swap test on affected engines, recommending direct replacement instead. So the free diagnostic that is the right first move on a 2.4L is explicitly not the recommended route here. Applying four-cylinder advice to a V6 can send you around a loop that the bulletin exists to short-circuit.
A companion document, PIP5162, instructs technicians to inspect and clean the camshaft solenoid screens for debris on P0011 and P0014 on LFX platforms — worth doing while the solenoid is out regardless.
An honesty note on sourcing: we could not open PIP5096C or PIP5162 directly. Multiple independent technician-facing summaries describe them consistently, including the EUN sticker step and the supplier change, so we are reporting them as well-corroborated rather than as verified GM wording. The bulletin we did open and read line by line is 17-NA-098.
One further V6 consideration: the 3.6L LFX is itself known for premature timing chain wear, particularly in the 2012 model year. If P0014 arrives with P0017 or P0016, the sticker check is not where this ends — see the chain discussion below.
The Startup Rattle Bulletin
There is a third document worth knowing about if your Equinox makes a short, sharp rattle when you first start it.
PIP4716F addresses exactly that — an engine rattle at startup on GM vehicles with 2.0L, 2.2L and 2.4L engines, in connection with camshaft actuator codes including P0011, P0014, P0016 and P0017. It points at cam actuators and solenoid debris as potential contributors alongside the noise.
That matters because a startup rattle is also the classic signature of a slack timing chain. Same noise, two possible sources, and they are separated by what else is in the scan. P0014 alone with a brief rattle can be actuator-related. P0014 with P0016 or P0017 — the crank-to-cam correlation codes — moves the diagnosis firmly toward the chain, which is a different repair entirely. Our P0016 guide covers that path and why it should not be driven on.
As with the V6 bulletins above, we could not open PIP4716F ourselves and are citing it as corroborated rather than verified.
What Are the Symptoms of P0014 on an Equinox?
- Check engine light on
- On the V6, frequently nothing else at all — GM's own framing in PIP5096C is a light with no other drivability concerns
- On the 2.4L: rough running, hesitation, hard starting and stalling — GM's described condition in 17-NA-098
- Stalling as you come to a stop, which is a safety issue rather than an annoyance
- Rough idle and reduced fuel economy
- A short, sharp rattle at startup
- Low oil on the dipstick, or oil dark and thin well before its change interval
- Companion codes: P0013 (exhaust actuator circuit), P0010 (intake actuator circuit), P0011, P0016, P0017, plus P0021 and P0024 on V6 engines
What Causes P0014 — and How Do You Confirm Each One?
| Cause | How to confirm it | Applies to | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhaust camshaft position actuator solenoid valve failure | On the 2.4L, swap intake and exhaust solenoids and see whether the code becomes P0011. Coil resistance is commonly cited around 8–13 ohms, with a reading that wanders while wiggling the connector indicating the connector | 2.4L | 17-NA-098 |
| Solenoid internal clearance issue from a specific supplier | Inspect the engine EUN sticker for the identifier named in the bulletin; if present, fit the updated service part rather than swap-testing | 3.0L / 3.6L V6 | PIP5096C |
| Low engine oil level | Check the dipstick. The phaser cannot move the cam without pressure. On the 2.4L, establish the consumption rate — GM's documented threshold is a quart in under 2,000 miles | All | Oil consumption coverages |
| Dirty oil clogging the solenoid screen | Remove the solenoid and inspect the screen. Note whether debris is sludge or hard plastic | All | PIP5162 (LFX) |
| Stretched timing chain, worn guides or tensioner | P0014 with P0017 or P0016, and a startup rattle. On the 3.6L LFX this is a known weak point, especially 2012 | All, notably 2.4L and 3.6L | See our P0016 guide |
| Plugged PCV system raising crankcase pressure | Look for VVT codes together with a fresh oil leak at a crankshaft seal | All | Owner-reported pattern |
| Camshaft position actuator (phaser) itself | Considered after solenoid, oil and chain have been ruled out | All | — |
| Outdated ECM calibration | GM's correction includes verifying the latest software and calibrations | 2.4L | 17-NA-098 |
How Is P0014 Diagnosed?
- Identify the engine. Four-cylinder and V6 follow different bulletins with different first steps.
- Check the oil level and condition. Free, and the leading finding on the 2.4L.
- Record every stored code. P0021 or P0024 confirm a V6. P0016 or P0017 redirect the whole diagnosis to the chain. P0013 points at the circuit rather than performance.
- Listen at a cold start for a short, sharp rattle.
- On a V6, inspect the engine EUN sticker before swap-testing anything — the bulletin advises against the swap on affected engines.
- On a 2.4L, swap the intake and exhaust solenoids, clear the codes and drive. If the fault becomes P0011, the solenoid is confirmed.
- Pull the solenoids and inspect the screens for debris, and check the sealing lands and connector for oil seepage.
- Verify the ECM calibration level — part of GM's correction, not an optional extra.
- If correlation codes or the rattle persist, move to the chain. Scoping crank and cam signals together is the definitive test.
- Fit both solenoids on the 2.4L once one is confirmed faulty, per GM's instruction, then clear and verify with a drive cycle.
Parts and Cost
| Scenario | What it involves | Cost picture |
|---|---|---|
| Oil and filter change corrects low or dirty oil | dexos1 5W-30 and a filter, then rescan | The cheapest outcome, and common on the 2.4L |
| Solenoid swap test (2.4L only) | One bolt each, both on top of the engine | $0 — confirms or eliminates the leading suspect |
| Replace both actuator solenoid valves, 2.4L | Exhaust 12679100 and intake 12679099, labor operation 4020140 | Two inexpensive parts; a realistic DIY job |
| Updated service solenoid, V6 per PIP5096C | Specific service part from a different supplier where the EUN identifier is present | Solenoid plus access — deeper on a V6 than on the four-cylinder |
| Clean the solenoid screens | Done while the solenoid is out | Labour only |
| ECM software and calibration update | Dealer-level programming | Part of GM's stated correction |
| Timing chain kit — chain, guides, tensioner, plus solenoids | Labour-intensive access; replace as a complete kit | The big one. Rule it in or out before spending elsewhere |
As with P0011, the odds favour the owner here: the most likely cause is among the cheapest parts on the engine. The value is in identifying which of the three paths you are on before buying anything.
GM Documents Behind P0014 on the Equinox
| Document | Date | Subject | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17-NA-098 | Sep 2019 (v2) | Rough running, hesitation, hard start, stalling and/or P0010, P0013, P0011, P0014 — solenoid valve failure. Replace both; verify ECM software | Equinox 2010–2012, 2.4L LAF / LEA |
| PIP5096C | — | P0011, P0014, P0021, P0024 with no other drivability concerns — check the engine EUN sticker; fit updated service solenoid where the identifier is present. Advises against swap-testing on affected engines | Equinox 3.0L LF1 / LFW, 3.6L LFX |
| PIP5162 | — | Inspect and clean camshaft solenoid screens for debris on P0011 / P0014 | LFX platforms |
| PIP4716F | — | Short, sharp engine rattle at startup with cam actuator DTCs P0011, P0014, P0016, P0017 | 2.0L / 2.2L / 2.4L engines |
| N192291100 — Special Coverage | Jan 2020 | Excessive oil consumption from piston ring wear, under 2,000 miles per quart. 7 yrs 6 mo / 120,000 mi, now expired | Equinox 2013, 2.4L LEA |
What Other P0014 Pages Get Wrong
- Giving 2.4L advice to V6 owners. The swap test is the right first move on the four-cylinder and is specifically discouraged by PIP5096C on affected V6 engines, where the bulletin directs a sticker check and direct replacement instead. One page, one answer, two wrong outcomes.
- "Replace the exhaust solenoid." On the 2.4L, GM's correction is to replace both solenoid valves. The intake one has lived the same life and commonly follows within months.
- Omitting the ECM software step. GM lists verifying the latest calibrations as part of the correction in 17-NA-098, and it is routinely dropped from summaries that quote the part numbers.
- Citing Special Coverage 16115 for an Equinox. That extended-warranty program on exhaust camshaft solenoids for P0014 and P0024 applies to LaCrosse and Impala LFX vehicles. It is real, and it is not an Equinox program. Check your VIN rather than a model-year table.
- Quoting the superseded part number. Older listings show 12655421 for the exhaust solenoid. The number in GM's current bulletin is 12679100.
- Treating a startup rattle as confirmation of one thing. PIP4716F ties the rattle to cam actuators and solenoid debris; a slack chain makes the same noise. The scan decides — P0016 or P0017 alongside means chain, not actuator.
We publish part numbers, labor operations and coverage terms only where we could read them in GM's own documentation, and we say plainly where we are relying on corroborated secondary sources instead — as with PIP5096C, PIP5162 and PIP4716F above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to keep driving with P0014?
Short trips, with two caveats. On the 2.4L, GM's own described condition includes stalling, and stalling as you come to a stop is a genuine hazard in traffic. And if P0016 or P0017 is stored alongside, treat it far more seriously — that combination points at the timing chain on an interference engine, where a jumped chain drives valves into pistons.
Will an oil change alone clear this code?
Sometimes, and it is the right first step because the VVT system runs on oil pressure through a fine screen. But on a 2.4L that GM covered for burning a quart in under 2,000 miles, fresh oil that drains away again is a temporary result. Establish the consumption rate rather than just topping up.
What's the difference between P0013 and P0014?
P0013 is a circuit code for the exhaust camshaft actuator solenoid — an electrical fault in the coil, connector or wiring. P0014 is a performance code — the circuit may be fine, but the camshaft is not ending up where commanded. The same failing solenoid can set either or both, which is why GM's bulletin lists them together.
Can I swap the solenoids to test?
On the 2.4L, yes — they are identical, adjacent, one bolt each, and if the code becomes P0011 you have your answer for free. On the 3.0L or 3.6L V6, PIP5096C advises against it for affected engines and directs a sticker check and direct replacement instead. Identify your engine before you start.
What is the EUN sticker and where is it?
It is an identifier applied to the engine at build. PIP5096C directs technicians to inspect it and, where a specific marking is present, to fit an updated service-grade solenoid from a different supplier to correct an internal clearance issue. Your dealer or a shop with GM service information access can read it and tell you whether the bulletin applies to your engine.
Why does my Equinox have P0014 but drive perfectly?
On a V6, that is the textbook presentation. PIP5096C describes exactly this — the light and the codes with no other drivability concerns — and that absence of symptoms is itself diagnostic. On a 2.4L, GM's bulletin describes the opposite, with rough running and stalling.
How much does the actuator solenoid cost to replace?
The solenoids themselves are among the least expensive parts on the engine, and on the 2.4L both are accessible from the top with a single bolt each — a realistic home repair. The cost gap between this and a timing chain job is the whole reason to rule the chain in or out first.
What if P0014 keeps coming back after new solenoids?
Look at what else is stored and listen at a cold start. Persistent P0014 after fresh solenoids and good oil, especially with P0016 or P0017 or a startup rattle, points at the chain rather than at another solenoid. Scoping the crank and cam signals together will show you where the misalignment actually is.
Shop the Parts Mentioned
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MOTOPOWER MP69033 OBD2 Scanner — $49, reads and clears P0014 and checks for companion codes.
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ACDelco GM OE dexos1 GEN 2 Full Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil (1 qt) — the recommended oil for the 2.4L engine.
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VDIAGTOOL BT500 Battery Tester — $57.53, tests battery health, cranking and charging on 6V/12V/24V systems with ripple analysis and a voltage waveform — confirms the battery and charging system are healthy before you chase a sensor or circuit fault.
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95-Piece Mechanics Tool Set (Metric & SAE) — covers the fasteners for actuator solenoid replacement.
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Carburetor & Throttle Body Cleaning Tool Kit — useful general maintenance while addressing engine performance codes.