P005E

Turbocharger/Supercharger Boost Control B Supply Voltage Circuit Low

P005E is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Turbocharger/Supercharger Boost Control B Supply Voltage Circuit Low. It is logged by the engine control unit when the turbo/boost monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.

Code
P005E
Group
Powertrain
System
Turbo/Boost
Severity
Warning (MIL on)
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What P005E means

P005E is the Bank 2 mirror of P005A: the Engine Control Module (ECM) has detected an open circuit or a general circuit fault in the variable valve lift (camshaft profile) control solenoid on the cylinder bank opposite cylinder number one. The "B" designation refers to the exhaust-side cam actuator on that bank. An open circuit means no current flows through the solenoid; the ECM cannot command a cam profile change and the lift mechanism is frozen in its default low-lift state for the remainder of the drive cycle. The ECM sets the MIL immediately because the cam profile cannot be confirmed. Root causes are identical in nature to P005A — broken wire, connector failure, solenoid coil failure — but physically located on Bank 2 wiring and components. On V-type engines, Bank 2 wiring tends to run along the intake manifold or firewall side of the engine, making it more exposed to heat soak and physical damage in some layouts. Diagnosis follows the same electrical methodology as P005A, working from connector through harness to the ECM, with oil condition checked first to rule out hydraulic causes even on an open-circuit code.

Common causes

Most-frequently reported root causes when P005E is logged.

  • 1
    Open or broken wire in the Bank 2 variable valve lift solenoid control or supply circuit
  • 2
    Failed Bank 2 camshaft profile control solenoid with an open internal coil
  • 3
    Corroded, loose, or damaged connector at the Bank 2 VVL solenoid
  • 4
    Heat damage to the Bank 2 wiring harness from proximity to exhaust manifold or engine block
  • 5
    Low or degraded engine oil masking hydraulic response and triggering circuit monitoring fault
  • 6
    Broken or missing solenoid ground path on Bank 2
  • 7
    ECM output driver failure on the Bank 2 solenoid control channel

Symptoms drivers notice

Check Engine Light (MIL) illuminated
Engine locked in low cam-lift profile on Bank 2, reducing overall power output
Noticeable loss of high-RPM power and acceleration on V6/V8/V10 engines
Slightly rough or uneven idle due to inter-bank cam lift asymmetry
Decreased fuel economy, especially at highway speeds
No unusual noise unless the cam phaser has been mechanically damaged by prior operation

How to diagnose P005E

A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.

  1. 1
    Retrieve all codes with a scan tool and note whether companion codes (P005A, cam timing, misfire on Bank 2 cylinders) are present, as they help determine if the fault is isolated to wiring or systemic
  2. 2
    Check engine oil level and quality first; replace if contaminated, then clear codes and retest before proceeding with electrical diagnosis
  3. 3
    Locate the Bank 2 cam profile solenoid and perform a thorough visual inspection of the connector and harness, paying attention to heat damage or chafing near exhaust components
  4. 4
    Measure solenoid winding resistance with connector unplugged; an open-circuit reading (OL) confirms internal solenoid failure requiring replacement
  5. 5
    With ignition on and solenoid connector unplugged, measure ECM control wire voltage; voltage near 0 V across the full duty cycle range may indicate a loss of power supply, while floating voltage suggests an open ground or open harness wire
  6. 6
    Perform a wiggle test on the Bank 2 harness while monitoring live cam position data or circuit voltage to identify intermittent open connections caused by heat expansion or vibration
  7. 7
    If all external components test correctly, verify ECM pin integrity and, as a last resort, substitute a known-good ECM to rule out an internal driver fault

Related powertrain codes

Frequently asked questions

Why do I have both P005A and P005E at the same time?

Simultaneous faults on both banks usually point to a shared root cause: low or contaminated oil affecting both cam phasers, a wiring harness fault near the ECM where both circuits run together, or an ECM power supply issue. Diagnose the common path first rather than chasing each bank individually.

Is P005E dangerous to drive with?

The engine will run safely in the default low-lift mode, but performance and economy are degraded. On a V-engine, having one bank locked in low lift while the other may operate normally creates a slight torque imbalance. Driving to a workshop is acceptable; extended high-load driving (towing, track use) is not recommended.

How do I tell if the solenoid or the wiring is at fault for P005E?

Unplug the Bank 2 solenoid connector and measure resistance across the solenoid terminals. If it reads open (OL) the solenoid itself is faulty. If resistance is within specification, the fault is in the wiring between the connector and the ECM, and continuity testing of each wire will locate the break.

Does P005E affect emissions testing?

Yes. A stored P005E will illuminate the MIL, which is an automatic failure in most emissions inspection programmes regardless of actual tailpipe output. The code must be resolved and the MIL extinguished, with sufficient drive cycle readiness monitors complete, before the vehicle will pass an emissions test.

Disabling P005E in software

RaceTune can permanently disable P005E — and any other OBD-II diagnostic trouble code — on every ECU family we support. The monitor is disabled inside the ECU itself, so the fault stops being logged: the warning light stays off and the engine never enters limp mode for this code. The change is tied to your exact software version.

Permanent
The monitor is disabled in the ECU itself — not just cleared. It cannot return.
Tailored to your file
Each patch is matched to your specific software version — never a one-size-fits-all file.
Reversible
The original file is always preserved. Reflash the stock to return the ECU to factory state.

Software modifications affect emissions compliance and are not road-legal in many jurisdictions. RaceTune service files are intended for motorsport, off-road, and export use.

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