What Is P0017?
P0017 is an OBD-II generic code that stands for “Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B).”
It signals a mismatch (from a timing issue) between the crankshaft and camshaft position sensor readings for the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft.
Here’s what happens:
The camshaft opens or closes the intake and exhaust valves, allowing an air-fuel mixture to enter the engine cylinders and exhaust gases to exit. A spark ignites the mixture for combustion, which drives the pistons downward. The crankshaft converts the pistons‘ up-and-down motion into rotational force to turn the wheels.
The crankshaft position sensor (CKP sensor) and the camshaft position sensor (CMP sensor) must work harmoniously to help your car’s computer control the spark, fuel delivery, and timing changes. When they don’t, the engine doesn’t function properly, triggering the P0017 error code.
Some manufacturers, like GM or Chevrolet, define P0017 differently; Chevy describes it as “Crankshaft Position – Exhaust Camshaft Position Not Plausible.”
Irrespective of this, the P0017 code generally means the powertrain control module (PCM) detects a misalignment between the crankshaft and the camshaft sensor’s timing signals.