Error Code P0015
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 6
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From: AZ
Error Code P0015
A week ago I was traveling in my wife’s 2009 RX350 at freeways speeds and outside ambient temperatures around 80 degrees. After traveling about 2 hours and stopping for about half-hour for lunch, I started the vehicle and went around a mile and the Check Engine light came on, the VSC was flashing and the traction control indicator was illuminated. I stopped quickly in a gas station and checked the manual for what the warning lights meant. Nothing of any value was found; I filled the car up and headed for home, about 4 more hours at highway speeds. The warning lights stayed on and the VSC flashed the entire way home. The vehicle ran perfectly with no problems at all. The next morning I started the car and the lights were out. Still worried, I purchased an OBD2 scanner and pulled a P0015 code, Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1). I erased the code and the car has been fine ever since. Finally to the question, is this something I need to worry about? I travel this trip about once a month and don’t want to get stranded along the road. The car has 54K on it and if it is a sensor in the engine, it should be covered by the powertrain warranty, but more importantly, will it cause damage to the engine? I read that the camshaft position sensor would only be replaced under warranty if it was inspected and causing a loud ticking noise, which I do not hear. If it throws the same error code again, I will take it in to the dealer and let them look into it. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 537
Likes: 83
From: Texas
Check your air filter. I know this sounds crazy, but an engine starved of clean air can "knock" from time to time which would be enough to set off the knock sensors.
I would not worry about it too much as it could have been a quick reading that was out of range. If the engine sounds smooth at idle, your timing is likely fine. That model has a timing chain which means it is difficult for the car to be out of timing perameters. However it has VVT I think which could be the cause of the brief problem. Alsi check your oil level. With a hydraulic V V T system, it is important that the oil levels remain towards full rather than low. Low levels mean the cam cannot gather enough oil pressure to change "vary" the V V T and could cause a quick reading out of whack.
I would not worry about it too much as it could have been a quick reading that was out of range. If the engine sounds smooth at idle, your timing is likely fine. That model has a timing chain which means it is difficult for the car to be out of timing perameters. However it has VVT I think which could be the cause of the brief problem. Alsi check your oil level. With a hydraulic V V T system, it is important that the oil levels remain towards full rather than low. Low levels mean the cam cannot gather enough oil pressure to change "vary" the V V T and could cause a quick reading out of whack.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: new york
A week ago I was traveling in my wife’s 2009 RX350 at freeways speeds and outside ambient temperatures around 80 degrees. After traveling about 2 hours and stopping for about half-hour for lunch, I started the vehicle and went around a mile and the Check Engine light came on, the VSC was flashing and the traction control indicator was illuminated. I stopped quickly in a gas station and checked the manual for what the warning lights meant. Nothing of any value was found; I filled the car up and headed for home, about 4 more hours at highway speeds. The warning lights stayed on and the VSC flashed the entire way home. The vehicle ran perfectly with no problems at all. The next morning I started the car and the lights were out. Still worried, I purchased an OBD2 scanner and pulled a P0015 code, Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1). I erased the code and the car has been fine ever since. Finally to the question, is this something I need to worry about? I travel this trip about once a month and don’t want to get stranded along the road. The car has 54K on it and if it is a sensor in the engine, it should be covered by the powertrain warranty, but more importantly, will it cause damage to the engine? I read that the camshaft position sensor would only be replaced under warranty if it was inspected and causing a loud ticking noise, which I do not hear. If it throws the same error code again, I will take it in to the dealer and let them look into it. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
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From: GA
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: new york
This has to do with the variable valve timing V V T.
I don't know what the actual repair is but it is VERY expensive.
Based on what I understand, the car is still safe to drive and I've driven it for many miles with the engine light and tire pressure lights on and VSC flashing. The 'only' problem is that it is not performing at its best. The car may not have the acceleration you are used to. The gas mileage may suffer. And BTW, I have not noticed either.
Two suggestions were given to me to 'solve' this problem without going through the extensive repair job.
One person told me that the VVT is very sensitive to the quality of the oil in the engine and suggested getting an oil and filter change more frequently than the recommended 5K miles.
Someone else told me to use premium gas if not already.
Right now my lights are off and I'll be taking the car in for an oil change tomorrow, at 3.5K
I don't know what the actual repair is but it is VERY expensive.
Based on what I understand, the car is still safe to drive and I've driven it for many miles with the engine light and tire pressure lights on and VSC flashing. The 'only' problem is that it is not performing at its best. The car may not have the acceleration you are used to. The gas mileage may suffer. And BTW, I have not noticed either.
Two suggestions were given to me to 'solve' this problem without going through the extensive repair job.
One person told me that the VVT is very sensitive to the quality of the oil in the engine and suggested getting an oil and filter change more frequently than the recommended 5K miles.
Someone else told me to use premium gas if not already.
Right now my lights are off and I'll be taking the car in for an oil change tomorrow, at 3.5K
2nd gear
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
From: PA
Check your air filter. I know this sounds crazy, but an engine starved of clean air can "knock" from time to time which would be enough to set off the knock sensors.
I would not worry about it too much as it could have been a quick reading that was out of range. If the engine sounds smooth at idle, your timing is likely fine. That model has a timing chain which means it is difficult for the car to be out of timing perameters. However it has VVT I think which could be the cause of the brief problem. Alsi check your oil level. With a hydraulic V V T system, it is important that the oil levels remain towards full rather than low. Low levels mean the cam cannot gather enough oil pressure to change "vary" the V V T and could cause a quick reading out of whack.
I would not worry about it too much as it could have been a quick reading that was out of range. If the engine sounds smooth at idle, your timing is likely fine. That model has a timing chain which means it is difficult for the car to be out of timing perameters. However it has VVT I think which could be the cause of the brief problem. Alsi check your oil level. With a hydraulic V V T system, it is important that the oil levels remain towards full rather than low. Low levels mean the cam cannot gather enough oil pressure to change "vary" the V V T and could cause a quick reading out of whack.
So just wanted to jump in here to say that if you have the code, try this first to see if it clears it.
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9th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: WI
Momentary 0015 Code
Experienced the exact same thing on my wifes 2009 ES350. Vehicle ran fine. After struggling to figure out why I had multiple failures on the Intrument panel and only one Code, I decided to just erase the code using my scanner and all warnings disappeared. One thing I was counseled on was make sdure the oil level is at full. The VVTC Solenoid can stick if momentarily starved. Added half quart !
Momentary 0015 Code
A week ago I was traveling in my wife’s 2009 RX350 at freeways speeds and outside ambient temperatures around 80 degrees. After traveling about 2 hours and stopping for about half-hour for lunch, I started the vehicle and went around a mile and the Check Engine light came on, the VSC was flashing and the traction control indicator was illuminated. I stopped quickly in a gas station and checked the manual for what the warning lights meant. Nothing of any value was found; I filled the car up and headed for home, about 4 more hours at highway speeds. The warning lights stayed on and the VSC flashed the entire way home. The vehicle ran perfectly with no problems at all. The next morning I started the car and the lights were out. Still worried, I purchased an OBD2 scanner and pulled a P0015 code, Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1). I erased the code and the car has been fine ever since. Finally to the question, is this something I need to worry about? I travel this trip about once a month and don’t want to get stranded along the road. The car has 54K on it and if it is a sensor in the engine, it should be covered by the powertrain warranty, but more importantly, will it cause damage to the engine? I read that the camshaft position sensor would only be replaced under warranty if it was inspected and causing a loud ticking noise, which I do not hear. If it throws the same error code again, I will take it in to the dealer and let them look into it. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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adamyansam
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018)
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Mar 14, 2011 07:48 AM
