While we were driving, we got the engine light and as always, we got the OBD II scanner and it read P0020. Our Ford F150 truck was working perfectly but the check engine light continued to illuminate. What could be the problem?
If this is you, then you’re in luck. In this post, we discuss the P0020 Ford F150 location, the P0020 Ford F150 causes, and symptoms.
Let’s jump in!
P0020 Ford F150 Location
The camshaft position sensor is a component that monitors the position of your pickup truck’s camshaft as it rotates. It then sends the data of the rotation to your car’s onboard computer or engine control module.
In your 2007 Ford F150 pickup truck, your camshaft sensor is usually mounted on the cylinder head, and underneath the timing belt cover. The other one is on the right side of the engine compartment by the intake manifold. The camshaft position sensor has a cylindrical position that inserts into the head.
For newer Ford F150 pickup trucks, they have up to four camshaft position sensors. Each sensor is on every camshaft. These sensors determine the exact location of the engine’s camshaft. Plus, they also help keep your pickup truck’s combustion running smoothly.
P0020 Ford F150 Causes and Symptoms
The following is a table of P0020 Ford F150 causes and symptoms.
| P0020 Causes | P0020 Symptoms |
| Bad PCM | Your truck won’t start or starts roughly |
| Faulty Variable Valve Timing Control Unit | Rough engine idle |
| Oil sludge | Decreased fuel economy |
| Crankshaft position sensor malfunction | Decreased engine performance |
| Engine operating outside of proper timing parameters | Engine idle |
| Frayed wiring | Knocking/rattling engine |
Bad PCM
A few years ago, all the cars were manual. As such, you had to keep an eye on every component of the vehicle since the vehicles did not have sensors and onboard computers. If your vehicle had any issue, the mechanic had to carry out a routine check to diagnose the problem.
Thankfully, modern vehicles now come equipped with a powertrain control module. This module controls the transmission and engine control modules. While they are highly useful, the systems do fail.
The most common symptom of a bad PCM is the check engine light that will illuminate your dash. This means that there is something wrong with your vehicle and you should have it checked out.
Today, you can identify the problem by checking the engine codes. If it’s a P0020 error code, the issue could be a bad PCM. Another symptom of a bad PCM is that your car’s engine will stutter or stall. This could be a result of your engine timing.
Faulty Variable Valve Timing Control Unit
Variable valve timing is a new system that uses electronic technology to apply variable signals from your car’s ignition system. It does so via a variable valve timing solenoid. The VVT system is common in modern vehicles and relies on the variable valve timing solenoid to control the flow of oil.
So, where there is a significant load against the engine, the VVT activates. When it does, the system sends oil to lubricate the VVT chain and gear assembly. If the VVT solenoid fails, poor lubrication can cause the gear and timing chain to break.
A symptom of a Faulty Variable Valve Timing Control Unit is a rough engine idle. When the VVT solenoid malfunctions, it will introduce additional oil to the gears. This will make the engine to idle rough. If not identified early, it will cause engine components to wear prematurely.
Oil Sludge
Oil sludge is a gel-like deposit found on the inside of your car’s internal combustion engine. This gooey, tar-like deposit shuts off or reduces the circulation of oil. It can also affect oil consumption, power loss, oil pressure problems, overheating, and hard starting.
The tar-like deposit is usually caused by oxidation. Basically, oxidation breaks down engine oil molecules. Then combines them with water, coolant, metallic particles, fuel, and dirt. The end result is a tar-like substance.
A symptom of oil sludge is a decrease in fuel economy. Another is low-quality engine oil. This may occur when using the wrong type of coil. Additionally, not changing your oil can lead to slide buildup.
Crankshaft Position Sensor Malfunction
Debris, faulty circuitry, and damage can cause the crankshaft position sensor to malfunction. As you already know, the engine is a violent environment. Although it’s built for a destructive environment, most of the sensors can succumb to vibrations and heat from the engine.
If your engine starts to misfire, that’s a sign you have a bad crankshaft position sensor. This is because the sensor cannot provide correct information about piston positioning causing a cylinder to misfire.
When the sensor creates an improper air-to-fuel ratio, the result is decreased engine performance. As such, you’ll have difficulty accelerating especially when carrying loads. The reduced power can also cause serious problems such as a seized engine.
Frayed Wiring
Frayed or damaged wiring is one of the most causes of electrical problems in your Ford F150 truck beside a weak battery. In some cases, frayed wires are just a minor nuisance. However, it can cause your car’s electrical components to fail.
If the wiring between the ECM and solenoid gets damaged, it would cause a short circuit that could cause your engine to stall.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What does P0020 mean?
P0020 is an OBD II error code indicating that your truck’s ECM determined a bank 2 intake camshaft Oil Control Valve has a short or open circuit. Simply, you can refer to P0020 as a bank 2 circuit malfunction or camshaft position actuator malfunction.
2. What causes a P0020 code?
The P0020 error code is usually triggered when the ECM attempts to adjust the bank 2 intake timing but detects an electrical issue. Other causes could be dirty engine oil, continuous oil flow to variable camshaft timing chamber, and more.
3. How much does it cost to fix code P0020?
The cost to fix error code P0020 costs between $70 to $2000.
Final Word
Identifying the underlying cause of error code P0022 is challenging even with an OBD II scanner. If you lack the skills, and experience in automotive repair, we recommend that you seek the help of a mechanic for an accurate diagnosis.