P1014 Code – Symptoms, Causes, Fixes

Engine fault codes are sometimes referred to as diagnostic trouble codes or abbreviated as DTCs. P1014 is a common DTC for a number of vehicles from a variety of manufacturers. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, a P1014 code can mean a number of things. This guide will dive into the P1014 DTC, explain what it means for your particular vehicle, and discuss some of the most common remedies.

No matter the engine, fault codes are a normal part of car ownership. As engines and related components age, issues arise more commonly. Engine codes exist to give you a better understanding of potential issues occurring in the drivetrain system. This allows you to be able to pinpoint the problem more easily instead of through a trial and error process.

DTC P1014 Code Breakdown

While the P1014 code appears to be a collection of random letters and numbers, there is a rhyme and reason for each digit. Breaking the code down into its individual digits can help clarify the code a bit. 

The ‘P’ that precedes the numbers in the code represents a powertrain fault. All codes that begin with ‘P’ signify a powertrain fault of some sort. The following ‘1’ digit is manufacturer-specific and doesn’t carry any significant meaning. The ‘0’ represents the accelerator pedal position sensor, indicating that there might be an issue in that respect. The second “1” in the code is related to the brake booster vacuum sensor and a potential issue related to that component. Finally, the ‘4’ represents the transmission, signifying that a possible transmission issue has occurred.

P1014 Meaning

P1014 – Exhaust Camshaft Position Actuator Park Position Bank 2

As with almost any engine code, the P1014 DTC can be caused by quite a few internal faults within your vehicle. The meaning of the code also varies depending on your car’s manufacturer. It is a common code amongst Chevrolet, GM, Buick, and Dodge vehicles. It is also commonly seen on BMWs, Minis, Suzukis, and Volvos. Despite being the same code, it means something slightly different for foreign manufacturers than domestic manufacturers. 

Most of the time, the code is related to low engine oil or low engine oil pressure, as these catalysts can cause issues within your vehicle’s camshaft management system. If the vehicle’s oil level is within a reasonable level and the vehicle isn’t displaying low engine oil pressure, there might be a problem with your vehicle’s camshaft position sensor. 

American Cars

In the case of American domestic cars that display the code, the most common cause is an issue with the camshaft position sensor. The camshaft position sensor has the very important job of updating your vehicle’s engine management system on the state of your camshafts in order to vary the camshaft timing. 

Camshaft position actuators work by adjusting oil pressure that is applied to advance or slow the position of your camshafts. The camshaft position actuator is usually locked in place by a locking pin before the vehicle starts up or if there is insufficient oil pressure for the actuator to operate. The locking pin is then released as soon as enough oil pressure is built up. The code will illuminate if the locking pin is not secured during startup.

Foreign Manufacturers

In the case of BMW and Mini, the P1014 code can signify a slightly different fault, still related to their camshaft position system. The BMW Valvetronic variable valve timing system is a highly complex piece of engineering that is known to go wrong from time to time. The Valvetronic system utilizes an eccentric shaft position sensor to take readings of the camshaft position and relay them to the Valvetronic motor. 

If the Valvetronic eccentric shaft position sensor is of poor quality, not installed to factory specifications, or is failing, the P1014 code will present itself. This is the case for all BMWs and Minis that utilize the Valvetronic system. 

The situation is very similar as far as Volvos are concerned. In the case of a Volvo P1014 engine code, the vehicle’s ECU is not receiving proper signals from the camshaft position sensor, or CKP as Volvo calls it. 

P1014 DTC Symptoms

Since the P1014 code can be caused by so many different problems, the symptoms associated with it also vary quite a bit. If your vehicle is displaying the code, here are some of the associated symptoms:

• Difficulty starting / rough idle upon start
• Check engine light
• Engine performance issues
• Struggle to accelerate/misfires under acceleration
• Vehicle failing to start

All of the above symptoms are emblematic of a camshaft timing issue or an improper reading from the camshaft position sensor. They can also be caused by low engine oil or low oil pressure which would cause issues within the camshaft management system. If the code is triggered during startup but the sensor begins reading correctly during driving, it is possible that no noticeable symptoms manifest. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t a problem though. 

P1014 symptoms can dramatically vary in severity depending on what is triggering the code. If the camshaft position sensor is providing dramatically incorrect readings, the engine would likely misfire quite a bit. 

How Serious is Fault Code P1014?

Severity Rating: Low to moderate

Depending on the cause of the code, it can vary in severity from low to moderate. In quite a few cases, fixing problems associated with a P1014 code can be simple. Other times, your vehicle might need to have sensors replaced, which can be a more involved task. 

Obviously, the need to remedy the issues associated with the code is dependent on how serious the symptoms are. Pronounced engine misfires, which can be caused by P1014-related problems, are a sign that the vehicle should be inspected right away. If you delay getting your vehicle inspected while serious symptoms persist, serious damage can be done. 

P1014 Causes

• Low engine oil level
• Low engine oil pressure
• Incorrectly installed camshaft position sensor
• Failing or broken camshaft position sensor
• Incorrect camshaft position sensor was installed
• (BMW and Mini) Valvetronic eccentric shaft position sensor faulty or incorrectly installed

Often, this code is triggered by low engine oil or low engine oil pressure, which causes the camshaft position actuator locking pin to fail to engage. In this case, it is likely that other related engine fault codes would accompany the P1014 DTC. The next most likely cause would be a faulty connection on the camshaft position sensor. 

Diagnosing a P1014 Code

In this section, we will discuss diagnosing fault code P1014 when it’s the only code present. Anyways, to diagnose the code, start with the following:

1. Use a code reader to clear the check engine light and fault code by plugging it into the vehicle’s OBD port. Test drive the vehicle for about 15-30 minutes. If the code comes back, it’s time to diagnose the issue at hand.
2. Check the most easily diagnosable areas first. Check your vehicle’s engine oil. If the vehicle’s oil is below the normal amount, add or change the oil. Repeat the first step.
3. If this doesn’t solve the issue, it’s time to move onto the camshaft position sensors themselves. It is important to remember that most vehicles have a CPS on both the intake and exhaust side of the engine and either can cause the P1014 code. Typically they are located under the engine cover and are fairly easy to access. This is heavily dependent on the vehicle of course. Ensure that the solenoid wires are in good condition and haven’t been damaged. Unplug and inspect the solenoids for any signs of imperfection or loose connections.
4. (Chevrolet) If the solenoids doesn’t appear to be loose or damaged, you can attempt to clean them. Use intake throttle body cleaner to clean the mesh screens on the solenoid. You can reinstall them once they dry.

The first step of this procedure is imperative in ensuring that the P1014 code wasn’t caused by a one-off issue. By resetting the code, you can ensure that the code is true if it reappears. 

If your vehicle is displaying a P1014 DTC and has a camshaft position sensor solenoid, you can try to save yourself some money by cleaning the external screens of the solenoid.

P1014 Fault Code Fix

As we have covered already, the code has a few potential causes. For that reason, the fix for the code can vary dramatically. If the code comes on in conjunction with a P0524 DTC, typically indicating low oil pressure, additional diagnosis will need to be performed to find out what is causing your vehicle to have low engine oil pressure. 

If the code is not engine oil-related, it is likely that one of your camshaft position sensors has failed or is in the process of failing. This is a more involved job than a simple oil top-off. However, it is possible to replace the sensors on your own if you have some technical experience. 

Repair Cost

The repair cost for a P1014 code is once again dependent on the issue that triggered it. Listed below are some of the associated costs with the most likely causes of the code:

• Oil top-off/change – $20-$150
• Camshaft position sensor solenoid cleaning – $0-$20
• Camshaft position sensor replacement – $40-$350
• Low oil pressure diagnosis – $75-$150

All of the costs listed above are also dependent on what tools, resources, and help you have at your disposal. Once again, a P1014 fix can be a relatively easy and inexpensive job if you can do it on your own. However, if you aren’t mechanically savvy or don’t believe that you’ll be able to perform the repair properly, it is worth spending the extra money to have it professionally sorted. 

This is typically not an expensive issue to fix even if you take your vehicle to a certified repair center. Unless there is a serious underlying issue that is causing low oil pressure, a $300-$350 bill is what you should expect.

P1014 Engine Code FAQ

Most of the information covered in this section has been answered above. This section serves as a brief recap.

What Does Fault Code P1014 Mean?

For most domestic manufacturers, made in the USA, code P1014 means that there is an issue with the exhaust camshaft position actuator. For BMW and Mini, it typically represents an issue with the Valvetronic eccentric shaft position sensor. Typically this is triggered by low engine oil or low oil pressure failing to engage the CPS actuator’s locking pin upon startup.

How Do I Fix P1014 Engine Code?

If the vehicle has an adequate amount of oil and doesn’t display low oil pressure, the camshaft position sensor is likely to blame. Make sure that the CPS sensor is connected properly or that the correct sensor is installed. You can attempt to clean the CPS actuator solenoid with intake cleaner. Otherwise, a replacement of the CPS might be necessary.

Can I Drive With P1014 Fault Code?

In most cases, the P1014 code will not immediately endanger you or others in your car. Symptoms of the issue might manifest, including rough idle, difficulty accelerating, and engine misfires. While not immediately dangerous, a P1014 code should be dealt with as soon as possible. Incessant engine misfires are not good for the health of your vehicle engine.

Of course, use your judgment. If your vehicle begins to feel unsafe to drive or if the symptoms worsen, it is a good idea to stop driving the vehicle until you have the opportunity to repair the problem.