P0082
Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low (Bank 2)P0082 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Intake Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Low (Bank 2). It is logged by the engine control unit when the powertrain monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.
What P0082 means
P0082 is stored when the PCM detects that the voltage in the Bank 2 intake valve control solenoid circuit is lower than the minimum allowable threshold. The intake valve control solenoid operates the variable valve timing (VVT) camshaft phaser on the Bank 2 intake camshaft by regulating oil pressure through a precision-machined oil control valve. The PCM drives this solenoid with a pulse-width-modulated signal, and it continuously monitors the resulting circuit voltage. A "circuit low" condition means the PCM is reading a voltage near or at zero on the solenoid control wire when a higher value is expected — this is the classic signature of a short circuit to ground, an internal solenoid coil failure (shorted windings pulling voltage down), or an open circuit in the return path creating an unexpected low-side reading. Oil-related causes are also common: if oil viscosity is very low due to dilution or the solenoid oil port is clogged with sludge, the solenoid may draw excessive current trying to operate, which can cause a thermal low-voltage event. With this code active, the PCM disables VVT on Bank 2 and locks intake timing in its default position, reducing engine performance and efficiency. Resolving the fault quickly is important to prevent escalation to phaser damage.
Common causes
Most-frequently reported root causes when P0082 is logged.
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1
Short circuit to ground in the solenoid control wiring or at the solenoid connector
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2
Internally shorted solenoid winding pulling the circuit voltage low
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3
Open circuit in the solenoid power supply or PCM driver circuit resulting in a zero-voltage reading
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4
Corroded or moisture-damaged connector creating a leakage path to ground
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5
Low engine oil level or degraded oil viscosity causing solenoid overcurrent
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6
Sludge or carbon deposits clogging the solenoid oil metering ports, causing mechanical stall
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7
Faulty PCM driver transistor for the Bank 2 intake solenoid channel
Symptoms drivers notice
How to diagnose P0082
A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.
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1
Connect a scan tool and retrieve all codes; check freeze-frame data and note any companion camshaft performance codes (P0021, P0022) indicating whether the fault is purely electrical or also mechanical
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2
Verify engine oil level, viscosity grade, and condition; contaminated or low oil is a frequent contributor to VVT solenoid faults and must be corrected before electrical diagnosis
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3
Inspect the Bank 2 intake valve control solenoid connector for moisture ingress, corrosion, bent or pushed-back pins, and chafed wiring near heat sources or sharp edges
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4
With the connector unplugged, use a multimeter to measure solenoid winding resistance; a significantly lower-than-specified reading (below ~5 ohms) points to a shorted solenoid
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5
Check for unwanted continuity between the solenoid control wire and chassis ground with the connector unplugged; continuity indicates a wiring short to ground
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6
Measure supply voltage at the connector with ignition on and verify PCM ground path integrity; absent voltage or high ground resistance indicates a harness fault
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7
Replace the solenoid if confirmed faulty, repair any wiring shorts, clear codes, and road-test with live VVT data monitoring to confirm the fault is resolved
Related powertrain codes
Frequently asked questions
What distinguishes P0082 from P0081?
P0081 is the general circuit malfunction code indicating an unspecified abnormal condition in the Bank 2 intake solenoid circuit. P0082 is the specific low-voltage sub-code, meaning the PCM has measured voltage below the minimum limit — indicative of a short to ground or shorted solenoid coil. P0082 provides more precise diagnostic direction than P0081 alone.
Can a short-to-ground cause damage to the PCM?
Modern PCMs include over-current protection on solenoid driver outputs, so a brief short to ground will typically trigger a fault code and disable the output rather than damage the PCM. However, a prolonged or severe short can stress the driver transistor. Addressing the fault promptly reduces the risk of PCM damage.
Why would an oil change help resolve P0082?
Engine oil that has degraded significantly — thinned by fuel dilution, thickened by sludge, or depleted of additives — can cause VVT solenoids to stick or draw excessive current. An oil and filter change with the correct viscosity grade restores proper solenoid operation in many cases, particularly when the code was set during extended oil change intervals.
Is P0082 more or less serious than P0083?
Both are similarly serious in terms of VVT system disruption. P0082 (circuit low) often points to a short to ground which can potentially affect other circuits sharing the same wiring loom, making it slightly more urgent to diagnose. P0083 (circuit high) typically indicates a short to power or open circuit, which is equally important but less likely to affect neighbouring circuits.
Disabling P0082 in software
RaceTune can permanently disable P0082 — 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.
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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