P0017 on Acura: How to Diagnose & Fix
Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation - Bank 1 Sensor B
1 Acura model · 2 documented issues · 1 critical · $400-$2,200 repair
P0017 on Acura by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
The signature second-generation TSX complaint. At cold start-up the 2.4L K24Z3 emits a loud metallic rattle or grind from the front of the engine lasting roughly 1-3 seconds, then goes quiet. The cause is a defective intake-cam VTC actuator whose internal lock pin fails to hold the actuator at the rest position while oil pressure builds, letting the actuator slap against its stop. Acura acknowledged this in Service Bulletin 10-024 'Engine Rattles at Cold Start-Up' covering 2009-2010 TSX L4 models, naming the VTC actuator (P/N 14310-R40-A01) as the cause. The same rattle occurs on the first-generation CL9 K24A2 (actuator P/N 14310-RBB-003) but is markedly less common there. Left alone the rattle itself is not immediately destructive, but it commonly appears alongside timing chain wear and is the leading warning sign of it.
Common Symptoms
- Loud rattle or grinding from engine for 1-3 seconds at cold start
- Noise absent once engine is warm
- Rattle returns after the car sits overnight
- Noise louder in cold weather
- Check engine light for cam/crank correlation in advanced cases
How to Fix
Replace the VTC actuator with the updated part. The bulletin procedure does not require full removal of the cam chain and associated parts, so labor is far shorter than a full timing job. Because a worn actuator and a stretched chain travel together on this engine, most shops inspect chain slack and tensioner at the same time and replace chain, tensioner and guides if slack is present. No recall covers this; it was a TSB repair, covered only under powertrain warranty when in force. Owners routinely report the rattle is worse on thin/extended oil-change intervals, so keeping to shorter intervals with correct-viscosity oil is a partial mitigation, not a fix.
Sources for this issue (4)
On the second-generation 2.4L K24Z3 the timing chain and its hydraulic tensioner wear enough for the exhaust cam to fall out of correlation with the crankshaft, setting P0017 (Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation, Bank 1 Sensor B). This is the downstream consequence of the same wear pattern that produces the VTC rattle, and the two are routinely repaired together. The K24 is an interference design, so a chain that jumps a tooth under load can put valves into pistons. Owners typically report the cold-start rattle first, then a check engine light and rough running months later - the code is the point at which the repair is no longer optional.
Common Symptoms
- Check engine light with P0017
- Cold start rattle preceding the code
- Rough idle or misfire
- Reduced power
- Rattling from the timing cover area under load
How to Fix
Replace the timing chain, chain tensioner and guides as a set, plus the VTC actuator, and verify cam timing marks on reassembly. Check for a clogged oil screen or degraded oil first, since low oil pressure to the tensioner accelerates the wear. Do not clear the code and drive: on an interference engine a jumped chain is a bent-valve repair. No recall covers this repair. Owners who catch the rattle early and replace the actuator and chain avoid the far larger bill.
Sources for this issue (3)
P0017 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P0017 mean on a Acura?
P0017 stands for "Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation - Bank 1 Sensor B." This code means the engine computer has detected that the crankshaft and the Bank 1 'B' camshaft (typically the exhaust camshaft) are out of their proper timing relationship with each other. The computer compares the crankshaft position signal to the camshaft position signal, and when they don't line up within the allowed window, it sets this correlation code. This usually points to mechanical timing being off, most often from a stretched or worn timing chain, a slipped or stuck variable valve timing phaser, or a tensioner problem. You may notice rough running, low power, rattling at startup, or a no-start, and it should be addressed promptly to avoid valve-to-piston contact on some engines. On Acura it is documented across 1 model: TSX.
What are the most common causes of P0017?
The most common causes of P0017 are: Stretched or worn timing chain, Worn or failed timing chain tensioner or guides, Stuck or faulty variable valve timing (VVT) cam phaser, Faulty VVT oil control/solenoid valve, Low or dirty engine oil affecting phaser operation, Faulty camshaft or crankshaft position sensor, Timing chain jumped a tooth or incorrect timing after service, Damaged reluctor (tone) ring. The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0017 on a Acura?
Published repair estimates on Acura range from $400 to $2,200 depending on the model and root cause. If an issue mentions a recall or campaign, check your VIN with the manufacturer or NHTSA and confirm eligibility and coverage with a dealer.
Looking for P0017 on a different make?
View P0017 across all makes →Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.