P0014 is a relatively common trouble code for vehicles that have Variable Valve Timing (VVT). This includes the GMC Savana.
VVT adjusts the position of the camshaft(s) to maximize the combustion efficiency of the motor. P0014 means that the camshaft position is too far advanced from where it should be in relation to normal operating specs.
Before doing anything, check your Savana’s oil level. Low oil is the number one cause of P0014.
P0014 Quick Reference Table
| P0014 Definition | “B” Camshaft Position Timing Over Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1) |
| Symptoms | Stalling, decreased MPG, rattling, engine running rough, check engine light |
| Common Causes | Low oil, wrong oil viscosity, faulty camshaft actuator, timing chain/belt jumped |
| Breakdown Risk | Not usually, but in rare cases, the underlying causes can damage the engine. Don’t drive with P0014. |
| Repair Cost (Parts Only) | Usually well under $200 |
GMC Savana: P0014 Definition
The technical definition of P0014 for the Savana is “B” Camshaft Position Timing Over Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1). Here it is separated into its three main pieces, with a quick explanation of each.
“B” Camshaft Position
Engines equipped with VVT use camshaft actuators (they’re often called phasers) to adjust the position of the cam. Adjusting the camshaft timing allows an engine to have a better power curve and better fuel economy (the automotive equivalent of having your cake and eating it too).
Depending on the vehicle, the “B” camshaft is the exhaust, right or rear camshaft.
Over Advanced or System Performance
VVT allows an engine to act as though it has different camshaft profiles at different RPMs; this is great for both power and fuel economy. It can advance or retard the timing at will. Sometimes, the system will get stuck in an over-advanced position.
When this happens, your GMC Savana will store trouble code P0014.
Valve timing control methods can be quite different for every engine, even from the same manufacturer, but the basics are the same.
Camshaft actuators or phasers change how long the intake and exhaust valves stay open. They are hydraulic, which means that they use the vehicle’s engine oil to change the intake valve timing.
Some simpler systems change the cam timing, while others change cam profiles entirely. Here’s a detailed write-up on exactly how VVT works if you’re interested in learning more.
Bank 1
Bank one is the side of the engine with the first cylinder. If your Savana has an inline engine, you don’t need to concern yourself with this.
But, if your Savana has a “V” engine, it’ll have two cylinder heads. You’ll need to look up which side is bank 1. It’s usually the cylinder head closer to the front of the engine.
Symptoms of P0014
When the cam timing is off, it can cause some issues with the motor. Here are some of the typical symptoms of P0014 in the GMC Savana:
- Poor Idle Quality– If the “B” camshaft actuator fails while it is too far advanced, it’ll idle roughly.
- Rattling Sound– You may hear the camshaft actuator rattling at idle speed since it’s not where it’s supposed to be. A rattling sound can also indicate the timing chain jumped a tooth.
- Decreased Gas Mileage– Now that your Savana’s engine can no longer adjust its cam timing on the fly, it will no longer be able to produce optimum combustion, which causes poor economy.
- Lost Power– Your truck’s engine will not be able to produce as much power; this is because the cam profile will not allow it to run a performance power curve when you need more power.
- Service Engine Soon Light– Most of the time, you’ll be able to feel or see one of the above symptoms, but if you can’t, the check engine light will come on and let you know something is wrong.
- Hard to Start– With the timing too far advanced, it won’t be easy to start the motor, especially when it is warm.
GMC Savana P0014: Causes + How to Fix
Here are the most common causes of the P0014 code in your GMC Savana. Start by checking your van’s oil level.
Here are the most common causes, presented in order from the easiest thing to check to the most difficult:
Engine Oil
The first thing you should do is check your Savana’s oil. There are three ways that it can cause P0014:
- Low Oil: The most common cause of P0014 is low oil. The oil level needs to be low enough to lower the engine’s oil pressure (dangerously low). If oil flow slows down enough to throw the p0014 code, It’s likely low enough to lock up the engine.
- Dirty Oil: If the oil and/or oil filter haven’t been changed in a long time, sometimes it can cause the camshaft actuator to clog up with sludge.
- Wrong Viscocity (Too Thick or Too Thin): If you recently had an oil change and your Savana now has this code, change the oil again, and verify that the shop used the right oil.
Bad Exhaust Camshaft Position Actuator or Actuator Solenoid
The actuator solenoid can go bad over time. You certainly don’t want to start here since, a lot of the time, it’ll be something else that causes the P0014 to appear. Here’s a good video that explains how to test the camshaft actuator using a scan tool:
Engine Timing
If your Savana’s camshaft(s) are no longer synced to the crankshaft properly (such as if the timing chain jumped a tooth), it can cause the engine timing to be off enough to throw the P0014 (probably P0011, too), even though it’s not the actuator’s fault.
Wiring Issues
The wiring from the solenoid to the ECM can become damaged or broken, this will throw the P0014 OBDII code. The wiring harness to the intake camshaft position sensor may also develop a poor connection—YouTube: How to Find an Open or Short the Fast Easy Way.
Bad ECM (highly unlikely)
If your Savana’s engine controller goes bad, it may throw this code along with other issues. Here’s how to tell if you have a bad ECM Autoblog: Symptoms of a Bad ECM.