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P0013 on a 2017 Ford F-150

Exhaust Cam Actuator Circuit Fault (Bank 1)

Severity: high Safe to drive (short term) Pickup Truck 2015-2019 Ford F-150

What does P0013 mean on a 2017 Ford F-150?

P0013 is an electrical-circuit fault on the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft position actuator (OCV / VVT solenoid). The ECM cannot detect the expected current draw when it commands the solenoid, indicating an open circuit, short, or failed driver. Unlike P0014 (over-advanced) which is a position fault, P0013 is specifically a wiring / coil fault — the ECM is reporting that it cannot even communicate with the actuator.

Symptoms on a 2017 Ford F-150

Likely causes on a 2017 Ford F-150

  1. Failed exhaust OCV / VVT solenoid coil (open or shorted) Most common
    Estimated repair: $100– $450
  2. Damaged OCV connector or chafed signal wiring Common
    Estimated repair: $50– $250
  3. Corroded connector pins from heat / oil exposure Common
    Estimated repair: $30– $200
  4. Shorted-to-power or shorted-to-ground OCV wire Occasional
    Estimated repair: $80– $350
  5. Failed PCM driver for the exhaust OCV (rare) Rare
    Estimated repair: $400– $1,500

How to diagnose this on a 2017 Ford F-150

  1. Measure OCV coil resistance

    Unplug the exhaust-side OCV on Bank 1. Measure resistance across the solenoid terminals. Most OCVs read 6 to 15 Ω. Infinite resistance is an open coil; near zero is a shorted coil. Either requires solenoid replacement.

    Tools: Multimeter, Service spec sheet

  2. Inspect the connector

    Unplug the connector and look closely for corrosion, bent pins, oil intrusion, or melted insulation. The OCV lives in a hot, oily environment and connectors degrade. Clean with electrical contact cleaner.

    Tools: Electrical contact cleaner, Magnifying glass

  3. Verify wiring continuity to the PCM

    With the OCV disconnected and the connector unplugged at the PCM, measure continuity between each wire and its corresponding PCM pin. Open circuit indicates a broken wire. Short to ground or to power indicates chafed insulation contacting nearby metal or a power source.

    Tools: Multimeter, Wiring diagram, Back-probe pins

  4. Command the OCV with a scan tool

    Bidirectional scan tools can command the OCV on and off while watching live current draw. A working solenoid clicks audibly when commanded. No click + a P0013 confirms either the coil or the wiring.

    Tools: Bidirectional scan tool

  5. Test for shorted wiring at the engine harness

    With the engine off and the OCV unplugged, key on, briefly check the supply wire for unexpected voltage. A "hot" wire with the PCM not commanding the OCV indicates a short to power in the harness.

    Tools: Multimeter

Common fixes

About the 2015-2019 Ford F-150

The 2015-2019 Ford F-150 was commonly sold with the following powertrains: 3.5L EcoBoost V6, 5.0L V8, 2.7L EcoBoost V6. Common trims include XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum.

P0013 vs P0014

These are the two ways the exhaust VVT system fails on the same hardware:

Diagnostic approach differs: P0013 is electrical (resistance, wiring, connector). P0014 is hydraulic (oil pressure, OCV mechanical function, phaser).

When P0013 is the cheap fix

Roughly 60–70 % of P0013 cases trace to the solenoid coil itself — which is a $40–$150 OEM part on most engines and a 10-minute replacement. The other 30–40 % are wiring or connector issues that require a multimeter and patience. The PCM driver failing is rare; do not assume PCM is the cause until everything else has been ruled out.

Why OCV connectors fail in the oil-rich engine bay

The exhaust-side OCV sits on top of the cylinder head — high heat, oil mist, and constant vibration. Standard connector seals harden and crack within 8–10 years of normal use, letting oil migrate up the harness and into the connector. The fix is the connector or the sub-harness, not the OCV.

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