P0390 is a generic OBD-II powertrain fault code that means Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit (Bank 2). The ECM/PCM has detected a problem with the electrical circuit or signal associated with Camshaft Position Sensor B on Bank 2.
On applicable Ford F-150 models, P0390 can involve the Bank 2 exhaust camshaft position circuit. However, the exact component, wiring configuration, and diagnostic procedure depend on the engine and model year.
A particularly important Ford-specific diagnostic point applies to certain 2018 F-150 models equipped with the 5.0L engine. Ford Technical Service Bulletin 18-2360 addresses P0390 and/or P0394 and directs technicians to the Bank 2 exhaust VCT oil control solenoid when those are the only stored DTCs. 2
Therefore, a P0390 code on an F-150 should not automatically lead to replacing the camshaft position sensor.
Fault Code Description
P0390 = Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit (Bank 2).
Code type: Generic OBD-II Powertrain Code.
Likely fault area: Bank 2 Camshaft Position Sensor B, VCT system, sensor connector, wiring, power supply, signal circuit, camshaft timing, VCT oil control solenoid, or ECM/PCM.
On a typical two-bank V8 engine, Bank 2 is the bank opposite the bank containing Cylinder 1. Sensor B generally refers to the exhaust camshaft circuit on applicable engines.
What Does P0390 Mean on a Ford F-150?
The camshaft position system provides the PCM with information about camshaft position and speed. The PCM uses this information to synchronize engine operation and control fuel injection, ignition timing, and variable camshaft timing.
When the PCM detects that the Bank 2 Camshaft Position Sensor B circuit or its expected signal is abnormal, it may store P0390.
The important point is that P0390 identifies a circuit fault, not necessarily a failed sensor. Wiring, connectors, electrical interference, camshaft timing, VCT components, or an oil-control problem can produce similar symptoms.
P0390 Ford F-150 5.0L – Important Technical Bulletin
Ford issued TSB 18-2360 for certain 2018 Ford F-150 5.0L vehicles with P0390 and/or P0394 stored in the PCM. The bulletin was published on December 3, 2018. 3
The bulletin is especially important because its diagnostic path differs from simply replacing the camshaft sensor. If P0390 and/or P0394 are the only DTCs stored, Ford's service procedure directs replacement of the Bank 2 exhaust variable camshaft timing (VCT) oil control solenoid. 4
The Ford bulletin lists the exhaust VCT oil control solenoid as HL3Z-6M280-A, along with the applicable valve-cover gasket and seals required for the repair. Always verify the current part number through Ford service information for the exact vehicle before ordering parts. 5
This TSB should not be generalized to every F-150 year or engine. If additional DTCs are present, Ford's bulletin directs technicians to use the normal powertrain diagnostic procedure instead. 6
P0390 Ford F-150 Bank 2 Sensor Location
On applicable 5.0L F-150 configurations, Bank 2 is the driver's-side cylinder bank, and P0390 corresponds to the Bank 2 exhaust camshaft circuit. F-150 technical discussions also distinguish P0345 as the Bank 2 intake camshaft circuit and P0390 as the Bank 2 exhaust camshaft circuit. 7
The exact physical sensor position can vary with engine configuration, so the vehicle-specific service information should be used before removing components.
Symptoms of P0390 on Ford F-150
- Check Engine Light.
- Rough or unstable idle.
- Hesitation during acceleration.
- Reduced engine performance.
- Hard starting.
- Extended cranking.
- Engine misfire.
- Engine stalling.
- Reduced fuel economy.
- Variable camshaft timing problems.
- Intermittent engine noise or rattle on some 5.0L applications.
Some F-150 owners have reported intermittent P0390 with little or no noticeable drivability problem, while others report engine noise or performance symptoms. These reports are useful for identifying patterns but should not replace the vehicle-specific diagnostic procedure. 8
Common Causes of P0390 Ford F-150
- Faulty Bank 2 exhaust VCT oil control solenoid.
- Faulty camshaft position sensor.
- Open sensor circuit.
- Short to ground.
- Short to voltage.
- Damaged sensor wiring.
- Loose or corroded connector terminals.
- Electrical interference affecting the camshaft signal.
- Incorrect sensor installation.
- Damaged camshaft trigger wheel.
- Incorrect camshaft timing.
- Timing-chain or camshaft timing problem.
- Low or contaminated engine oil affecting VCT operation.
- ECM/PCM fault.
Ford diagnostic information identifies open circuits, shorts, signal-return problems, wiring or shielding issues, incorrect camshaft timing, trigger-wheel alignment, sensor installation, and sensor faults among possible causes. 9
P0390 Ford F-150 Fuse Box Inspection
Before replacing a camshaft sensor or VCT component, inspect the applicable engine-control power circuits and fuse box. The sensor or VCT system may share power with other engine-control components.
The fuse may not be labeled Camshaft Sensor. Depending on the vehicle, the fuse-box label may use abbreviations such as PCM, ECM, ECU, ENG, EFI, IGN, or another Ford-specific designation.
- Check the under-hood fuse box.
- Check the interior fuse box when applicable.
- Use the exact F-150 fuse diagram.
- Verify the correct fuse rating.
- Check for a blown fuse.
- Check for power at the appropriate fuse terminals.
- Inspect terminals for corrosion or overheating.
- Determine whether the fuse supplies multiple engine-control circuits.
If a fuse is blown, do not replace it with a higher-rated fuse. A repeatedly blown fuse requires diagnosis of the underlying short circuit or excessive current draw.
How to Diagnose P0390 on Ford F-150
1. Scan All PCM Codes
Use a professional scan tool and record every stored, pending, and permanent DTC. Do not diagnose P0390 in isolation when other camshaft, crankshaft, VCT, or oil-pressure codes are present.
2. Check the Engine Oil
Verify the engine oil level and condition. The VCT system depends on proper oil pressure and clean oil flow.
Low or contaminated oil can affect VCT operation and should be corrected before condemning electronic components.
3. Determine the Exact F-150 Engine
Identify the model year and engine before using a sensor location, wiring diagram, resistance value, or repair procedure.
A diagnostic procedure that applies to the 5.0L V8 should not automatically be applied to another F-150 engine.
4. Check Whether TSB 18-2360 Applies
For an applicable 2018 F-150 5.0L, determine whether P0390 and/or P0394 are the only DTCs stored. If they are, Ford's TSB 18-2360 provides a specific repair path involving the Bank 2 exhaust VCT oil control solenoid. 10
If other DTCs are present, do not automatically apply this TSB diagnosis. Follow normal powertrain diagnostics for the additional faults.
5. Inspect the Wiring and Connectors
Inspect the Bank 2 camshaft sensor wiring and connectors for broken wires, damaged insulation, oil contamination, loose terminals, corrosion, poor connections, and previous wiring repairs.
6. Check the Camshaft Signal
Test the camshaft position signal using the correct procedure for the specific F-150 engine. An oscilloscope can be useful when diagnosing an intermittent or distorted camshaft signal.
7. Check VCT Operation
If the electrical sensor circuit is functioning correctly, investigate the VCT oil control solenoid, oil passages, camshaft phaser, and commanded versus actual camshaft position.
8. Check Mechanical Timing
If electrical testing does not identify the problem, inspect camshaft timing, timing-chain condition, trigger-wheel alignment, and other mechanical timing components.
9. Test the PCM
The PCM should only be considered after the sensor, wiring, power supply, grounds, VCT system, and mechanical timing have been properly tested.
P0390 Ford F-150 Diagnostic Signal Flow
↓
Bank 2 Exhaust VCT / Camshaft System
↓
Camshaft Position Sensor B
↓
Camshaft Position Signal
↓
PCM
↓
Fuel Injection / Ignition / VCT Control
P0390 Ford F-150 Live Data
Use a capable scan tool to monitor engine RPM, commanded camshaft position, actual camshaft position, VCT duty cycle, camshaft synchronization, and other available engine parameters.
A large difference between commanded and actual camshaft position can point toward VCT, oil-pressure, phaser, timing, or mechanical problems rather than a simple sensor failure.
P0390 and P0345 on Ford F-150
If P0345 and P0390 appear together on a 5.0L F-150, both codes concern Bank 2 camshaft circuits but identify different camshaft positions. P0345 is associated with Camshaft Position Sensor A on Bank 2, while P0390 is associated with Sensor B on Bank 2. 11
When both appear together, inspect shared wiring, power, ground, connectors, and the Bank 2 VCT system before replacing two sensors.
P0335 P0340 P0345 P0365 P0390 All at Once
If an F-150 has P0335, P0340, P0345, P0365, and P0390 simultaneously, replacing all of the camshaft and crankshaft sensors is not the correct first step.
Multiple position-sensor codes appearing together can indicate a shared electrical problem, common power or ground issue, wiring-harness damage, connector problems, electrical interference, or a synchronization/mechanical timing problem.
- P0335 – Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit.
- P0340 – Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit.
- P0345 – Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit (Bank 2).
- P0365 – Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit (Bank 1).
- P0390 – Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit (Bank 2).
When these codes appear together, start with the fuse box, common power supplies, grounds, wiring harness, connectors, and PCM circuits. Then investigate crankshaft-to-camshaft synchronization and mechanical timing.
Is P0390 Serious on Ford F-150?
P0390 can be serious because the camshaft position signal is important for engine synchronization and VCT operation.
A vehicle with an intermittent code and normal drivability may still be able to reach a repair facility, but severe misfire, stalling, significant power loss, difficult starting, or abnormal engine noise should be treated more urgently.
Can I Drive a Ford F-150 With P0390?
Limited driving may be possible if the truck is running normally and the Check Engine Light is not flashing. However, the fault should be diagnosed promptly.
If the F-150 stalls, has severe drivability problems, develops significant engine noise, or enters reduced-power operation, continued driving should be avoided until the cause is identified.
P0390 Ford F-150 Repair Cost
- Diagnostic testing: approximately $75–$200+.
- Fuse replacement: approximately $10–$50+ if the fuse itself is the only problem.
- Wiring or connector repair: approximately $75–$350+.
- Camshaft position sensor replacement: approximately $100–$350+.
- VCT oil control solenoid replacement: approximately $150–$500+ depending on engine and labor.
- Timing or camshaft phaser repair: approximately $500–$2,500+.
- PCM diagnosis or repair: approximately $300–$1,500+.
For the specific 2018 F-150 5.0L condition covered by Ford TSB 18-2360, the repair involves the Bank 2 exhaust VCT oil control solenoid and associated valve-cover seals/gasket rather than automatically replacing the camshaft sensor. 12
Actual repair costs vary according to model year, engine, parts prices, labor rates, and the underlying cause.
Common Repair Mistakes
- Replacing the camshaft sensor immediately after seeing P0390.
- Ignoring Ford-specific technical service information.
- Failing to check whether TSB 18-2360 applies to a 2018 F-150 5.0L.
- Ignoring the engine oil level and condition.
- Replacing multiple sensors when multiple codes appear.
- Ignoring the fuse box and common power supply.
- Failing to inspect Bank 2 wiring.
- Ignoring VCT solenoid operation.
- Ignoring camshaft timing and phaser problems.
- Replacing the PCM before completing circuit testing.
Recommended Diagnostic Tools
- Professional OBD-II scan tool with Ford-specific functions.
- Ford-compatible diagnostic software where available.
- Digital multimeter for appropriate electrical tests.
- Automotive oscilloscope for camshaft signal analysis.
- Ford-specific wiring diagrams.
- Fuse-box diagram.
- Manufacturer service information.
Related Codes
- P0335 – Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit.
- P0340 – Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit.
- P0345 – Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit (Bank 2).
- P0365 – Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit (Bank 1).
- P0390 – Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit (Bank 2).
- P0391 – Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 2).
- P0392 – Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Low (Bank 2).
- P0393 – Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit High (Bank 2).
- P0394 – Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Intermittent (Bank 2).
- P0024 – Exhaust Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced/System Performance (Bank 2).
FAQ About P0390 Ford F-150
What does P0390 mean on a Ford F-150?
P0390 means Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit (Bank 2). On applicable F-150 engines, it concerns the Bank 2 exhaust camshaft position circuit.
Is P0390 a generic code?
Yes. P0390 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Ford may use additional manufacturer-specific diagnostic information to determine the actual cause on a particular F-150.
Is P0390 on a 2018 Ford F-150 5.0L a bad camshaft sensor?
Not necessarily. Ford TSB 18-2360 specifically addresses certain 2018 F-150 5.0L vehicles with P0390 and/or P0394 as the only stored DTCs and directs replacement of the Bank 2 exhaust VCT oil control solenoid. 13
What causes P0390 on a Ford F-150 5.0L?
Possible causes include the Bank 2 exhaust VCT oil control solenoid, camshaft position sensor, wiring, connectors, electrical interference, incorrect camshaft timing, trigger-wheel problems, low or contaminated oil, and other VCT or engine-control faults.
Where is P0390 sensor on Ford F-150?
On applicable 5.0L F-150 configurations, P0390 identifies the Bank 2 exhaust camshaft circuit. The exact physical location should be confirmed using the engine-specific service information before replacing a component.
Is P0390 related to P0345?
Yes. Both codes concern Bank 2 camshaft circuits. P0345 identifies the Bank 2 Sensor A circuit, while P0390 identifies the Bank 2 Sensor B circuit on applicable engine configurations. 14
Why do I have P0335, P0340, P0345, P0365 and P0390 all at once?
When several crankshaft and camshaft position codes appear together, check common power, grounds, fuse circuits, wiring, connectors, PCM circuits, and engine synchronization before replacing multiple sensors.
Can low oil cause P0390 on an F-150?
Low or contaminated oil can affect the VCT system and camshaft timing, so oil level and condition should be checked. However, P0390 is a circuit code and should not automatically be attributed to oil without completing electrical and VCT diagnosis.
Is P0390 safe to drive with?
Short-distance driving may be possible if the truck runs normally, but the fault should be diagnosed promptly. Stalling, severe misfire, significant power loss, or abnormal engine noise are reasons to avoid continued driving.
Does P0390 mean the PCM is bad?
No. A PCM fault is possible but should be considered only after the sensor circuit, wiring, power, grounds, VCT system, and mechanical timing have been properly tested.
Final Takeaway
P0390 is a generic Camshaft Position Sensor B Circuit (Bank 2) code, but the diagnostic path can be very different on a Ford F-150 depending on the year and engine.
The most important F-150-specific case is the 2018 F-150 5.0L, where Ford TSB 18-2360 covers P0390 and/or P0394 when they are the only stored DTCs and directs technicians toward the Bank 2 exhaust VCT oil control solenoid. 15
For other F-150 years and engines, diagnose the fuse box, power supply, wiring, connectors, camshaft sensor, VCT system, engine oil, camshaft timing, and PCM according to the exact engine's service information.
Do not replace the camshaft sensor simply because P0390 appears. On some F-150 applications, the actual fault can be in the VCT system or its electrical control circuit.