What Does P0028 Mean?
P0028 indicates that the intake valve control solenoid circuit on Bank 2 is operating outside its expected range or not performing correctly. The ECM has detected that the Bank 2 intake valve control solenoid is not responding proportionally to commanded duty cycles, or its electrical characteristics are outside the calibrated window. This affects intake valve timing or lift on Bank 2 cylinders, leading to reduced power from those cylinders, potential rough idle, and increased emissions.
Common Causes
30%
Bank 2 intake valve control solenoid degraded or sticking, not tracking ECM commands accurately
25%
High resistance or intermittent connection in the Bank 2 intake valve control solenoid wiring
20%
Degraded or incorrect-viscosity engine oil causing sluggish hydraulic response in the Bank 2 intake valve actuator
15%
Mechanical wear in the Bank 2 variable intake valve mechanism limiting actuator travel or causing binding
10%
ECM internal driver for the Bank 2 intake solenoid producing an inconsistent or out-of-spec control signal
Diagnostic Steps
1
Monitor the Bank 2 intake valve control solenoid duty cycle and feedback in live data — compare response to the Bank 1 intake solenoid to identify whether the issue is Bank 2 specific.
2
Measure the Bank 2 intake valve control solenoid resistance — compare to Bank 1 and to manufacturer specification. A significant difference between banks indicates a degraded solenoid.
3
Remove and inspect the Bank 2 intake solenoid for sludge buildup, screen filter contamination, and plunger sticking.
4
Verify engine oil level and condition. If the oil is overdue for service, perform a change and clear codes before retesting.
5
Command the Bank 2 intake solenoid through its full duty cycle range and monitor the valve position feedback — any dead spots or non-proportional response points to a solenoid or actuator fault.
6
Inspect the Bank 2 intake solenoid connector for oil intrusion, corrosion, or heat damage from proximity to exhaust components.
Estimated Repair Cost
$100 - $800
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
P0028 indicates that the intake valve control solenoid circuit on Bank 2 is operating outside its expected range or not performing correctly. The ECM has detected that the Bank 2 intake valve control solenoid is not responding proportionally to commanded duty cycles, or its electrical characteristic...
The most common cause of P0028 (Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 2)) is: Bank 2 intake valve control solenoid degraded or sticking, not tracking ECM commands accurately
Typical repair costs for P0028 range from $100 to $800, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
The vehicle is safe to drive with some performance loss on Bank 2 cylinders. The engine management system will use default valve timing, which is safe but suboptimal. Have the issue repaired within a couple of weeks.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P0028 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Variable Valve Timing (VVT)
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
Recommended Tools
OBD2 Scanner
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