P0086 is a generic OBD-II powertrain fault code that means Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit High (Bank 2). The ECM/PCM has detected a higher-than-expected electrical condition in the exhaust valve control solenoid circuit for Bank 2.
P0086 is associated with the variable valve timing (VVT) system on applicable engines. The exact component name, wiring arrangement, solenoid design, fuse location, and diagnostic strategy can vary between manufacturers and engine configurations.
P0086 does not automatically mean that the VVT solenoid has failed. A short to voltage, damaged wiring, poor connector contact, incorrect previous wiring repair, or an ECM/PCM control problem can also cause this code.
Fault Code Description
P0086 = Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit High (Bank 2).
Code type: Generic OBD-II Powertrain Code.
Likely fault location: Bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid, solenoid connector, wiring, fuse or power supply, control circuit, or ECM/PCM driver.
The word High indicates that the ECM/PCM has detected an electrical condition above the expected range in the solenoid control circuit. It does not automatically mean that the solenoid itself is defective.
What Does P0086 Mean?
The ECM/PCM controls the Bank 2 exhaust camshaft timing through an electrically operated control solenoid. The solenoid regulates engine oil flow to the variable valve timing mechanism, allowing the ECM/PCM to adjust camshaft timing.
When the electrical condition in the exhaust valve control solenoid circuit is higher than expected, the ECM/PCM may store P0086.
Possible causes include a short to battery voltage, damaged wiring, a faulty solenoid, poor connector contact, an open or abnormal control circuit, or an ECM/PCM driver problem.
Symptoms of P0086
- Check Engine Light.
- Rough or unstable idle.
- Hesitation during acceleration.
- Reduced engine performance.
- Poor fuel economy.
- Hard starting in some cases.
- Engine may run poorly at certain RPM ranges.
- Reduced variable valve timing performance.
- Engine may enter reduced-power mode on some vehicles.
Common Causes of P0086
- Faulty Bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid.
- Short to battery voltage in the control circuit.
- Open or damaged solenoid circuit.
- Damaged or melted wiring.
- Corroded or loose connector terminals.
- High resistance in the circuit.
- Incorrect previous wiring repair.
- Low or contaminated engine oil.
- Restricted oil passages affecting the VVT system.
- Mechanical VVT actuator problem.
- ECM/PCM control driver fault.
P0086 Bank 2 Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid
Bank 2 refers to the engine bank that does not contain Cylinder 1 on engines with two cylinder banks. The exact physical location of Bank 2 depends on the engine design.
Always verify Bank 2 and the exhaust camshaft location using the vehicle-specific service information before testing or replacing the solenoid.
P0086 Fuse Box Inspection
The Bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid may receive its electrical supply through a fuse located in the vehicle's fuse box. The fuse is not always labeled with the exact name of the VVT solenoid.
Depending on the manufacturer, the same power circuit may be protected by a fuse labeled ECM, PCM, ECU, EFI, ENG, IGN, INJ, VVT, CAM, or another manufacturer-specific abbreviation.
Therefore, do not search only for a fuse labeled "Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid". Use the vehicle-specific fuse-box diagram to identify the fuse supplying the VVT solenoid or its related engine-control circuit.
- Check the engine-compartment fuse box.
- Check the interior fuse box if the wiring diagram indicates an interior power supply.
- Compare the fuse-box label with the vehicle-specific fuse diagram.
- Verify the correct fuse rating.
- Check for voltage at the fuse when the circuit is energized.
- Inspect fuse terminals for corrosion or overheating.
- Check whether the fuse is shared with other engine-control components.
If the fuse is blown, do not install a higher-rated fuse. If the replacement fuse blows again, diagnose the circuit for a short circuit, damaged wiring, or excessive current draw instead of repeatedly replacing the fuse.
How to Fix P0086
1. Scan the Vehicle
Use a professional scan tool to confirm P0086 and check for additional VVT, camshaft position, oil-pressure, or electrical codes.
2. Check Engine Oil
Verify that the engine has the correct oil level and appropriate oil condition. Dirty, degraded, or incorrect oil can interfere with VVT operation.
3. Check the Fuse Box
Identify the fuse supplying the Bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid or its engine-control circuit. Check both the fuse condition and the voltage supplied through the fuse.
Remember that the fuse may have a different abbreviation depending on the vehicle, such as ECM, PCM, ECU, EFI, ENG, IGN, INJ, VVT, or CAM. The exact fuse must be confirmed from the vehicle-specific fuse diagram.
4. Inspect the Solenoid
Locate the Bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid and inspect it for physical damage, oil contamination at the connector, loose terminals, corrosion, and damaged wiring.
5. Test the Solenoid Circuit
Use the vehicle-specific wiring diagram to identify the solenoid power and control circuits. Verify voltage and control signals according to the manufacturer's specifications.
6. Check for a Short to Voltage
Because P0086 indicates a high electrical condition, inspect the control wire for an unintended connection to battery voltage or another powered circuit.
7. Test the Solenoid
Where permitted by the manufacturer, measure the solenoid's electrical resistance and compare it with the specification for the exact engine.
Do not apply a generic resistance value to every VVT solenoid because resistance specifications vary between manufacturers and engine designs.
8. Check the ECM/PCM Driver
If the solenoid, wiring, connectors, fuse, and power supply are verified to be correct, test the ECM/PCM control circuit according to the manufacturer's diagnostic procedure before considering module replacement.
P0086 Diagnostic Signal Flow
↓
Fuse Box
↓
VVT Solenoid Power Supply
↓
Bank 2 Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid
↓
Engine Oil Flow
↓
Exhaust Camshaft Actuator
↓
Variable Valve Timing
P0086 OBD Live Data
Use OBD live data to compare commanded and actual exhaust camshaft position, engine RPM, oil temperature, engine load, and available VVT parameters.
If the commanded camshaft position changes but the actual position does not respond correctly, investigate the solenoid, oil supply, VVT actuator, and mechanical timing system.
Is P0086 Serious?
P0086 should be diagnosed promptly. A VVT control problem can affect engine performance, fuel economy, emissions, and drivability.
If the engine is running very poorly, has severe power loss, or additional camshaft or oil-pressure codes are present, avoid unnecessary driving until the cause is identified.
Can I Drive With P0086?
Limited driving may be possible if the engine is operating normally, but the fault should be diagnosed as soon as practical. Continued operation with an unresolved VVT problem can cause poor performance and, depending on the underlying cause, potentially contribute to additional engine problems.
P0086 Repair Cost
- Diagnostic testing: approximately $75–$150+.
- Fuse replacement: approximately $10–$50+ if the fuse itself is the only problem.
- Wiring or connector repair: approximately $50–$300+.
- Exhaust valve control solenoid replacement: approximately $100–$400+.
- VVT actuator repair: approximately $300–$1,000+.
- ECM/PCM diagnosis or repair: approximately $300–$1,500+ depending on the vehicle.
These are general estimates only. Actual repair costs depend on the vehicle, engine, parts prices, labor rates, fuse-box configuration, and the underlying cause of P0086.
Common Repair Mistakes
- Replacing the VVT solenoid without testing the circuit.
- Ignoring the fuse box.
- Replacing a fuse without finding the reason it failed.
- Installing a higher-rated fuse.
- Ignoring engine oil condition.
- Failing to verify Bank 2.
- Ignoring a short to battery voltage.
- Using an incorrect solenoid resistance specification.
- Ignoring damaged wiring near the engine.
- Replacing the ECM/PCM before testing the control circuit.
- Replacing the solenoid when the actual problem is mechanical VVT timing.
Recommended Diagnostic Tools
- Professional OBD-II scan tool.
- Digital multimeter for permitted electrical circuit tests.
- Vehicle-specific wiring diagrams.
- Fuse-box diagram.
- Manufacturer service information.
- Automotive oscilloscope when waveform or control-signal testing is required.
Related Codes
- P0085 – Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit (Bank 2).
- P0014 – Exhaust Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced/System Performance (Bank 1).
- P0024 – Exhaust Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced/System Performance (Bank 2).
- P0345 – Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit (Bank 2).
- P0390 – Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit (Bank 2).
- P0017 – Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B).
FAQ About P0086
What does P0086 mean?
P0086 means Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit High (Bank 2). The ECM/PCM has detected a higher-than-expected electrical condition in the Bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid circuit.
What causes P0086?
Common causes include a faulty VVT solenoid, shorted wiring, a short to voltage, damaged connectors, high circuit resistance, oil-related VVT problems, or an ECM/PCM control fault.
Can a bad VVT solenoid cause P0086?
Yes. A defective Bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid can trigger P0086, but the electrical circuit should be tested before replacing the solenoid.
Can a blown fuse cause P0086?
A fuse problem can interrupt power to the VVT circuit, although the exact diagnostic effect depends on the vehicle's circuit design. Always check the vehicle-specific fuse diagram and test the actual circuit.
What fuse causes P0086?
There is no universal fuse number for P0086. Depending on the vehicle, the relevant fuse may be labeled ECM, PCM, ECU, EFI, ENG, IGN, INJ, VVT, CAM, or another abbreviation. The correct fuse must be identified using the exact vehicle's fuse-box diagram.
Can low or dirty oil cause P0086?
Oil condition can affect VVT operation, although P0086 specifically identifies an electrical circuit-high condition. Oil-related problems should therefore be considered alongside electrical testing rather than assumed to be the sole cause.
Where is Bank 2?
Bank 2 is generally the cylinder bank opposite the bank containing Cylinder 1. The exact location should always be confirmed for the specific engine.
Does P0086 mean the ECM is bad?
No. An ECM/PCM fault is possible but should generally be considered only after the solenoid, connectors, fuse, wiring, power supply, and control circuit have been properly tested.
Final Takeaway
P0086 indicates a high electrical condition in the Bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid circuit. The fault should be diagnosed as an electrical VVT control problem rather than automatically assuming that the solenoid has failed.
The best diagnostic approach is to check the fuse box, engine oil, solenoid, connector, wiring, power supply, control circuit, VVT operation, and ECM/PCM driver in the correct sequence.
Always use the exact engine's wiring diagram, fuse-box diagram, and manufacturer specifications because VVT solenoid circuits, fuse assignments, and electrical values vary between vehicles.