Confused about check engine light
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 210
Likes: 7
From: NJ
Confused about check engine light
Hi everyone,
I have an '09 LS SWB AWD with 86k miles on it. A few days ago the check engine light came on with a message on the dash for me to check the VSC system. The next day the check engine light and VSC warning went away on their own. A day after that they came back on. I pulled the ODB codes and got the following:
P0012 - "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded Bank 1
I took it to my local Lexus dealership and they determined that my VVT-i motor assembly needed replacing. Total cost would be $1,222. Apparently this part helps regulate the camshaft for variable valve timing. I asked if I should notice a performance dropoff since it's related to valve timing but they said no. They said I wouldn't make it worse by driving it so I took my car back and they would order the part for me.
The next day the check engine light and VSC warning went away on their own again and have not come back on for 3 days now. I don't understand why the warning and check engine lights keep going off on their own if this motor assembly needs replacing. Once again it has been 3 days now and no lights have come on.
I'm wondering if I need to actually replace this motor assembly. Does anyone have any experience with this issue? Any opinions on whether I should replace this motor assembly?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
I have an '09 LS SWB AWD with 86k miles on it. A few days ago the check engine light came on with a message on the dash for me to check the VSC system. The next day the check engine light and VSC warning went away on their own. A day after that they came back on. I pulled the ODB codes and got the following:
P0012 - "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded Bank 1
I took it to my local Lexus dealership and they determined that my VVT-i motor assembly needed replacing. Total cost would be $1,222. Apparently this part helps regulate the camshaft for variable valve timing. I asked if I should notice a performance dropoff since it's related to valve timing but they said no. They said I wouldn't make it worse by driving it so I took my car back and they would order the part for me.
The next day the check engine light and VSC warning went away on their own again and have not come back on for 3 days now. I don't understand why the warning and check engine lights keep going off on their own if this motor assembly needs replacing. Once again it has been 3 days now and no lights have come on.
I'm wondering if I need to actually replace this motor assembly. Does anyone have any experience with this issue? Any opinions on whether I should replace this motor assembly?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 268
Likes: 3
From: colorado
I would clear all your codes and wait for them to come in again. Just to make sure you get same error. Sometimes weird things happen and never show up again. I hate buying parts that I can not physically see them broke.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
Couple of things.....
First, I agree with Unsober 1. Reset the OBD and see what happens.
Second, these VVT motors can be had on Ebay for cheap (less than a couple hundred bucks), and a DIY'er can do the labor in no time. Or let an independent shop do it for you.
First, I agree with Unsober 1. Reset the OBD and see what happens.
Second, these VVT motors can be had on Ebay for cheap (less than a couple hundred bucks), and a DIY'er can do the labor in no time. Or let an independent shop do it for you.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 365
From: New Hampshire
If it's an intermittent problem, the scenario you're experiencing with your check engine light is pretty normal. Your computer will test that system - and every system in the car - continuously while you drive. To set a check engine light a system needs to continuously fail a certain amount of times to turn a check engine light on. Conversely a system has to pass a certain number of tests continuously to turn a check engine light off. If it's an intermittent problem, your system will pass, and fail...turning that light on and off.
I thought that this was the symptom of the battery going bad. Plenty of past members have fixed the same issue by getting a new battery. But I don't see prior threads with specific codes thrown like you have when its just a battery
Last edited by is150; Jan 12, 2016 at 07:20 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 722
Likes: 61
From: Co
Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 210
Likes: 7
From: NJ
Thanks for the responses everyone. I had to drive about 150 miles today for work and on the return leg the check engine light and VSC warning came back on.
Thanks for the Ebay link. They said it was the vvti motor assembly. They didn't say solenoid so I'm guessing it's not this part. Thanks though.
Thanks for the Ebay link. They said it was the vvti motor assembly. They didn't say solenoid so I'm guessing it's not this part. Thanks though.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 722
Likes: 61
From: Co
If it was my problem I would make sure the oil was clean first. Then clear the codes as stated. If it comes back on I would try to locate the solenoid on the proper cam and install one if easy to get to. Maybe just take it out and clean it out first. From what I have read these cause that code. It may not fix it I but that's what I would try first. If you can't mess with it find a independent toy shop to do it. Your going to get reamed bad at the dealer.
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Thread Starter
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 210
Likes: 7
From: NJ
Thanks for the advice on the oil and also a previous poster mentioning the battery. On both those points I just changed the oil about 1500 miles ago and it is still clean. Also, the battery is a Lexus battery that was replaced only about 7 months ago.
The most recent update is that my third party warranty company approved my claim to replace the vvti motor assembly so I am going to have the dealer do it.
The most recent update is that my third party warranty company approved my claim to replace the vvti motor assembly so I am going to have the dealer do it.
CL Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,264
Likes: 481
From: MA
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Victoria
P0012 Internal Engine Timing
PCS and VSC warning lights appeared on my 2008 model LS460 160,000km (Australia) 03/13/21 with no particular external event causing them to appear. My Lexus service team has scanned the vehicle & determined the fault is in the engine camshaft gear & timing, related to the internal engine timing. Have been advised the part needs replacing, quotes are AUD$3008 for the part and AUD$4,400 for labour (approx 4 days' repair). Is this reasonable? Am I just unlucky or do I own a 'lemon'? Love my LS460 and happy to have fixed, along with front shock absorbers needing replacement.
PCS and VSC warning lights appeared on my 2008 model LS460 160,000km (Australia) 03/13/21 with no particular external event causing them to appear. My Lexus service team has scanned the vehicle & determined the fault is in the engine camshaft gear & timing, related to the internal engine timing. Have been advised the part needs replacing, quotes are AUD$3008 for the part and AUD$4,400 for labour (approx 4 days' repair). Is this reasonable? Am I just unlucky or do I own a 'lemon'? Love my LS460 and happy to have fixed, along with front shock absorbers needing replacement.
PCS and VSC warning lights appeared on my 2008 model LS460 160,000km (Australia) 03/13/21 with no particular external event causing them to appear. My Lexus service team has scanned the vehicle & determined the fault is in the engine camshaft gear & timing, related to the internal engine timing. Have been advised the part needs replacing, quotes are AUD$3008 for the part and AUD$4,400 for labour (approx 4 days' repair). Is this reasonable? Am I just unlucky or do I own a 'lemon'? Love my LS460 and happy to have fixed, along with front shock absorbers needing replacement.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Victoria
Spoke with service team & yes it doesn't take 4 days to do the job, however if they quoted on the per hour rate to do the job (based on similar jobs done to LS430s) it would be an insane figure so it's basically a poor billing system that they're overriding.