Although your engine, being a MY2006 M272, is certainly in the range for the dreaded Scenario #1 "balance shaft" failure, this is a just a defective camshaft adjuster solenoid. The good news is that you can buy all four of these for about $100 (and I would go ahead and replace all four). It takes about 2 hours to do the job. It's even a DIY if you have the tools and skills.
I've already replaced all 4 solenoids and the solenoid at bank1 3 times already (car is at 90,000 miles, I have been doing it about every 15 000 miles or so since the issue first came up at the 40k mile mark).
My engine is in the SN range of affected M272 engines, is this part of a larger problem related to the balance shaft?
All of the errors listed below are symptoms of solenoid failure. Some of these could be caused by timing chain issues but not "balance shaft" failure. If you replace the solenoids and the problem goes away for 15K miles, then it's the solenoids. Are you buying genuine MBZ parts form a dealer? If not, maybe there are some cheap parts out there. Genuine parts only cost $100 for all four.
0059 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( RIGHT ): Incorrect position of the exhaust camshaft (P0014)
0060 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( RIGHT ): Incorrect position of the exhaust camshaft (P0015)
0063 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( LEFT ): Incorrect position of the exhaust camshaft (P0024)
0064 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( LEFT ): Incorrect position of the exhaust camshaft (P0025)
0271 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( RIGHT ): Incorrect position of the intake camshaft (P0011)
0272 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( RIGHT ): Incorrect position of the intake camshaft (P0012)
0275 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( LEFT ): Incorrect position of the intake camshaft (P0021)
0276 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( LEFT ): Incorrect position of the intake camshaft (P0022)
All of the errors listed below are symptoms of solenoid failure. Some of these could be caused by timing chain issues but not "balance shaft" failure. If you replace the solenoids and the problem goes away for 15K miles, then it's the solenoids. Are you buying genuine MBZ parts form a dealer? If not, maybe there are some cheap parts out there. Genuine parts only cost $100 for all four.
0059 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( RIGHT ): Incorrect position of the exhaust camshaft (P0014)
0060 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( RIGHT ): Incorrect position of the exhaust camshaft (P0015)
0063 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( LEFT ): Incorrect position of the exhaust camshaft (P0024)
0064 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( LEFT ): Incorrect position of the exhaust camshaft (P0025)
0271 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( RIGHT ): Incorrect position of the intake camshaft (P0011)
0272 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( RIGHT ): Incorrect position of the intake camshaft (P0012)
0275 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( LEFT ): Incorrect position of the intake camshaft (P0021)
0276 Continuous camshaft adjustment ( LEFT ): Incorrect position of the intake camshaft (P0022)
I doubt it's the sensor and it's also a bit expensive to just throw one in. Is the code always P0015, indicating the right bank exhaust cam? If so, you could have a problem with the adjuster itself, though that usually throws a different code.
What I would try before buying any more parts is to swap them one at a time among other cams. Start by swapping the solenoid of the one with an error and clear codes. If the code follows the solenoid, then you know to replace it. If not, swap the sensor and clear codes. If the code stays on the same cam, then I suspect an issue with its sprocket or adjuster.
I think in rare cases, it can be the adjuster itself. There is a battery of test I see in SDS that checks the pulse rate and angle of the cam to determine the exact cause, but the most prevalent offender is the solenoid. If it's another bad solenoid, I am not sure why they are failing like this. It's literally just an electromagnet that is pulsed which in turn couples or decouples the adjuster that sits behind. This allows the angle of the camshaft to change based on the angle of the sprocket being driven by the timing chain.
Hi aminoacid, did you get your issue (P0015) resolved? could you please share?
I have a 2007 C280 (W203) with the same issue, where I replaced the Bank1 "B" magnetic sensor twice already. first time in 2015 around 55k, second time in May 2018 around 70k. Last week it failed SMOG and having P0015 and P0060 errors.
Would appreciate if you can share your findings.,,
Hello, honestly I never got around to replacing 1 by 1 per Rudeneys instructions. Getting access to a couple is a real PITA. What I discovered is that the problem sometimes went away, without having to clear any codes. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful
If you have any of the errors, you really should replace all four solenoids. Even though there are eight specific errors, two per camshaft, I am not 100% certain that if the error indicates a certain cam that it's that cam's solenoid that's off. It could be that the failure causes a "downstream" cam to register the wrong position. There is on the left side that will require removal of the oil cooler, and I think another may need the air pump moved out of the way, but this is fairly simple.
Yeah it is weird that I got P0015, which is pointing to bank1 B solenoid and P0060, which is pointing to oxygen sensor bank2 sensor2(downstream). Different banks?! Not sure it is just one issue causing both errors or two issues. I went ahead and changed the bank2 sensor2 oxygen sensor and see if the issue resolved. Will update in a couple of days.
What scanner are you using? It's possible that it's giving you both the generic OBDII code and the MBZ-specific DTC. I'd use a scan tool that does read MBZ codes.
After replacing the Bank2 Sensor2 (P0060) oxygen sensor, the P0060 error still there after running for 50+ miles. However the P0015 is gone.... No CEL ON since.
Wonder should I try replacing Solenoids? Replaced all 4 of them 3 years ago, and replaced Bank1 B (P0015) again eight months ago.
Hello everyone,
i have a 2007 C230 sport, engine number: 272 920 30 60 2712
2 years ago a check engine light showed up, and i received 2 error codes P0012 and P0015
i replaced all 4 magnets with brand new ones from MB authorized dealer, part number: A 272 051 01 77
today i had a check engine light again, error codes are P0012 and P0021 right and left intake camshaft
i am really confused since this is not supposed to happen again!!!
any suggestions please?
Those are still tell-tale error codes for the solenoids. I think what I'd do is swap them around (see diagram below for which codes are for which solenoids). See if the codes follow the solenoid or the cam. If they follow the solenoid(s), then I think you have some bad one. If they stay with the camshaft, then look into the replacement pigtails for the wiring harnesses. I don;t have the part numbers, but the dealer should have a TSB for them.
thank you for your reply @rudeney
i just checked, it's been, 3 years since i changed the 4 magnets.
they're not supposed to break right?
do you mean this wiring harness:
The solenoids are just electromagnets, so there's really nothing in them to wear out. I believe those are the pigtails, but I;d not by "DP" brand anything - it's cheap Chinese crap. Get the OE parts if you can. But like I said, first swap around the solenoids to see if you happen to have a bad one (or two).
i will definitely buy the OE parts, but this photo was just to make sure that this is the part you're talking about.
i have 3 errors right now, 2 intakes and 1 exhaust, so will try swapping with the 4th non error one and see what happens.
if it's the wiring harness it's a simple and cheap fix.
thank you for your help @rudeney
yes this is the #1 bank exhaust cam magnet code before you decide to change it what kind of oil are you running in it as the wrong oil can trigger this error code also dirty oil the same using the wrong oil can damage the engine this engine uses a specific motor oil titan 5w-40 is the preferred as it is german motor oil made specific for german cars also mobile 1 full synthetic european car formula 5w-40 is good also there are some others
Rudeney you are fantastic my friend. I have a MB E350 2005 which I just bought and amongst other faults I got the engine light on and the error code P0015 "B" Camshaft position-timing over- retarted bank1and was just about to take it to a garage in the morning to to have the timing chain changed (every mechanic said that's bwhat needed to be done) at a cost of anywhere between $2.500-$4500 which I can I'll afford seeing I already spent nearly $5000 on brakes, balljoints and ABS Hydraulic brake booster. I thank you for the information I will definitely try the solenoids and the oil at the fraction of the cost ? then I'll go from there. If you have any other additional information and advice I would really appreciate it. Being a pensioner $ are hard to come by. Once again thank you very much.
Kind regards
Zoran
Before you even replace the cam solenoid adjuster, remove it and try spraying a little WD40 in the oil hole and shake it around to free up the magnet. Dirty oil can gum things up in there. Apply 12 volts to it and make sure it clicks also. Worked for me and code P0015 went away on my e350
Hey guys c230 w203 2006 here. Just had repairs done for 1500€. Today, 4 days later, check engine light pops up. Now error code P0012, P0015 (started the light) and p2006. Dealership claims p2006 is something to look away from and can be caused by the other error codes. They also claim that the codes pop up due to a worn timing chain and tell me that the only way to fix this is to change timing chain and 4 adjusters (around 3000€). I panicked but now found this forum. Are you telling me that it probably is enough to change the sensors or/and solenoids? Do you agree that p2006 is something to look away from? Thanks a lot for sharing your wisdom!
P0012 and P0015 are just bad camshaft adjuster solenoids (a.k.a. "cam magnets"). In the USA, you can buy all for four less than $100 and it's a fairly easy DIY. On some engines, you must remove the oil cooler for access to the left bank, but that's just a matter of draining some coolant, removing a few bolts, and then replacing the gasket when reassembling it.
P2006 is a problem with the tumble flaps inside the intake manifold. It's a common problem where the flaps begin to get "sticky" and the plastic vacuum-operated actuator breaks. The proper solution is to replace the intake manifold, but you can also just replace the broken actuator(s) with aftermarket part(s) made from metal. The metal bits are inexpensive, but you will need to remove the intake manifold or the job, so if you don't DIY, you might was well just pay for a new manifold.
BTW, is this an authorized MBZ dealership you are dealing with? It does not sounds like these mechanics know anything about your car! Trained MBZ techs will know what these problems are and also, they don't refer to the generic OBDII "P" codes - they usually refer to the MBZ-specific DTCs. You might want to find a different shop to work on your car.
Thanks a lot for the answer. They are the only authorized MBZ dealership in town. Clearly I felt tricked after reading these posts. I called the dealership up and asked to buy the solenoids and they insisted at first it’s only 2 of them in the car until I had them talk to some other mechanics which confirmed its 4. Since the error codes are both on the right would it be fine to just swap the right ones and leave the left for a start?
They gave me a couple of documents which actually had two different sets of error codes on them (I guess both mbz dtc and obd2 codes)
I guess I’ll “DIY” the intake manifold if it continues to be problematic after the solenoid replacement. Any chance you know a good dealer that ships the aftermarket parts? (the dealership will probably charge me broke if I let them do it)
The two camshaft solenoid faults are only on the left bank, and they would not require removing the oil cooler, so you could do just those. But the other will likely fail at some time.
Generic OBDII code P2006 = MBZ DTC 0522.
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