P0010 - What the H*ck is Going On?

[Legoshi]

Hi all,

About a month ago, I randomly went into limp mode with a P000A code which caused some weird idles and hard start ups. CEL went away on it's own after restarting the car but the occasional wonky idle and hard start would rear their heads. Weeks later, I got a P0353 AND a P0010 code at the same time. I replaced the coil pack and the P0353 went away but the P0010 persists. I replaced the bank 1 OCV, tried swapping them around and the code is still there, always P0010. Car feels absolutely fine under load but cold starts are awful and the idle occasionally dips below 200rpm in traffic. Oil looks completely clean and only has ~3500 miles on it.

CSG_Mike recommended replacing the ECU but I'm looking for other leads before I bite the bullet. I'd hate to spend ~$500 on a new one only to find out that I need shell out a small fortune for some new cam sprockets.

Going to try flashing to the stock tune and run 91 for a bit on the off chance that it's an E85 thing (though I doubt it ). Also will be switching to 0W20 for the time being since other threads about the same code mention the code randomly going away after doing so. I'll post an update of that once my tank of E85 is dry.

Any ideas lads? I'm completely stumped.
2015 FR-S MT
Redline 5W30
FTSpeed UEL Catted Headers
OFTv2 E85 v4 tune
No way to check oil pressure to see if it's actually a VVT issue

[RZNT4R]

- P000A is a B1 camshaft A slow response
- I can't find P0535 on the TIS rip but it's a P0xxx range so it's standard across makes, that's A/C evaporator temp sensor
- P0010 Is a B1 camshaft A actuator circuit

I don't know why you would replace a coil for that 535, I don't know why you wouldn't check the ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT for a DTC which concerns the ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT of an actuator, especially since you've flipped actuators around and confirmed the issue remains on that specific ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.

I know I know, it's less frequent to have electrical gremlins on a japanese car, but it happens. Follow the diagnostic chart, if you need a new ECU, you'll get to that step eventually the legitimate way.

[NoHaveMSG]

You can see VVT angles in techstream but not pressures. You are getting a code for the actuator circuit so looking at the VVT angles or pressures isn’t really helping you sort out the issue. It’s either a open/short in the OCV or an open/short in the circuit.

[Legoshi]

Originally Posted by RZNT4R

- P000A is a B1 camshaft A slow response
- I can't find P0535 on the TIS rip but it's a P0xxx range so it's standard across makes, that's A/C evaporator temp sensor
- P0010 Is a B1 camshaft A actuator circuit

I don't know why you would replace a coil for that 535, I don't know why you wouldn't check the ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT for a DTC which concerns the ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT of an actuator, especially since you've flipped actuators around and confirmed the issue remains on that specific ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.

I know I know, it's less frequent to have electrical gremlins on a japanese car, but it happens. Follow the diagnostic chart, if you need a new ECU, you'll get to that step eventually the legitimate way.

*P0353

I'm dyslexic and wrote it wrong lol

[Legoshi]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

You can see VVT angles in techstream but not pressures. You are getting a code for the actuator circuit so looking at the VVT angles or pressures isn’t really helping you sort out the issue. It’s either a open/short in the OCV or an open/short in the circuit.

Could it be the actual harness for bank 1 that's shorting? Hence the consistent code despite new OCVs.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Legoshi

Could it be the actual harness for bank 1 that's shorting? Hence the consistent code despite new OCVs.

Yes. Basically that means you have an issue with that circuit somewhere from the ECU all the way to the OCV. So bad OCV(changed already), damaged connector at OCV, damaged engine harness, damaged connector where the engine harness meets the chassis harness, damaged harness from there to the ECU, or bad ECU.

[Legoshi]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Yes. Basically that means you have an issue with that circuit somewhere from the ECU all the way to the OCV. So bad OCV(changed already), damaged connector at OCV, damaged engine harness, damaged connector where the engine harness meets the chassis harness, damaged harness from there to the ECU, or bad ECU.

Got it! I'll check it out. Thanks a ton for the lead.

Do you think it's possible that it could be the cam sprocket? That's what most similar codes I've researched seem to fall back to. I'll check the circuit either way, just wanna know if it's even a possibility.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Legoshi

Got it! I'll check it out. Thanks a ton for the lead.

Do you think it's possible that it could be the cam sprocket? That's what most similar codes I've researched seem to fall back to. I'll check the circuit either way, just wanna know if it's even a possibility.

No, not going to be the cam sprocket. The code you have is for an issue in the circuit, if you check @Ultramaroon's sig the link to the manuals are there. It has the diagnostic steps.

[Legoshi]

Fixed it!

I pulled out and cleaned every single part attached to bank 1 (OCVs, VVT position sensors) and checked the resistances of each part and of the harness itself. It all checked out, so I added a bit of dielectric grease to the connectors before reseating them. I undid and reseated the big, chunky connector where the engine harness meets the chassis harness and went to bed since it was late.

Woke up, car started fine and the CEL was gone.

It could have been as simple as one of the bank 1 connectors coming loose, but since they haven't been touched since the car left the factory I doubt it. My best guess is that it was the main engine+chassis plug being dirty or not seated properly since I removed it during a clutch install a couple months ago.

Thanks guys!

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

No, not going to be the cam sprocket. The code you have is for an issue in the circuit, if you check @Ultramaroon's sig the link to the manuals are there. It has the diagnostic steps.

Mention function failed. I would've popped in to link the manuals. Looks like OP got it sorted!

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Legoshi

Fixed it!

I pulled out and cleaned every single part attached to bank 1 (OCVs, VVT position sensors) and checked the resistances of each part and of the harness itself. It all checked out, so I added a bit of dielectric grease to the connectors before reseating them. I undid and reseated the big, chunky connector where the engine harness meets the chassis harness and went to bed since it was late.

Woke up, car started fine and the CEL was gone.

It could have been as simple as one of the bank 1 connectors coming loose, but since they haven't been touched since the car left the factory I doubt it. My best guess is that it was the main engine+chassis plug being dirty or not seated properly since I removed it during a clutch install a couple months ago.

Thanks guys!

Funny how that happens sometimes -

[GabeS]

I'm so grateful I stumbled upon this thread. I had a CEL with the same codes P000A and P0010 and after changing all the oil control valves was already planning to change cam gears and ecu but decided to do a little more research (after driving around in limp mode for over a year...)

Saw that Humfrz mentioned the main engine harness connector and sure enough mine was not fully seated. So I unplugged it and plugged it back in and the CEL is gone!!! I have driven about 80 miles since then and it hasn't returned.

I just wanted to reply to add confirmation that a loose main engine harness connector can cause these codes for anyone else that may have this same issue.