What Does P0086 Mean?
The ECM has detected a high voltage or short-to-power condition in the bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid circuit. The exhaust VVT oil control valve signal is reading higher than expected, which could cause the solenoid to remain energized or operate erratically. The driver may notice engine knock, rough running, poor performance, or increased exhaust emissions.
Common Causes
35%
Short to battery voltage in the harness between the ECM and exhaust VVT solenoid
25%
Open or high-resistance exhaust VVT solenoid coil on bank 2
22%
Heat-damaged connector or melted terminal at the exhaust VVT solenoid
18%
ECM output driver stuck high or internal ECM fault
Diagnostic Steps
1
Disconnect the bank 2 exhaust VVT solenoid and measure coil resistance. An open (OL) or very high reading indicates a failed solenoid coil.
2
With the solenoid disconnected, check for unwanted voltage on the ECM control wire at the harness connector. Voltage present with key on indicates a short to power source.
3
Inspect the wiring harness routing carefully, especially near the exhaust manifold. Exhaust-side wiring is particularly prone to heat damage that creates shorts to adjacent power wires.
4
Examine the solenoid connector for heat damage, melted plastic, or deformed pins. Replace the connector if compromised.
5
Back-probe the ECM connector and verify the driver output. If the ECM commands low duty cycle but the circuit reads high, the ECM driver may be internally failed.
Estimated Repair Cost
$120 - $550
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The ECM has detected a high voltage or short-to-power condition in the bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid circuit. The exhaust VVT oil control valve signal is reading higher than expected, which could cause the solenoid to remain energized or operate erratically. The driver may notice engine knoc...
The most common cause of P0086 (Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit High (Bank 2)) is: Short to battery voltage in the harness between the ECM and exhaust VVT solenoid
Typical repair costs for P0086 range from $120 to $550, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
Drivable for short distances but use caution. If the exhaust cam is stuck in a fully retarded or advanced position, engine knock may occur under load. Avoid heavy acceleration, towing, or sustained highway driving until repaired.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P0086 to identify the root cause.
OBDHut Mobile App
Scan codes directly from your car with the OBDHut app.
Coming Soon
Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Variable Valve Timing (VVT)
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
Recommended Tools
OBD2 Scanner
A quality scan tool helps you read codes, view live data, and clear faults.
