P0014 on a 2022 Ram 1500

Exhaust Cam Over-Advanced (Bank 1, VVT)

Severity: high Safe to drive (short term) Pickup Truck 2020-2024 Ram 1500

What does P0014 mean on a 2022 Ram 1500?

P0014 is set when the engine control module commands the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft to a specific advance position and the actual cam position does not match within tolerance. On engines with dual-cam VVT (intake + exhaust phasers), P0014 is the exhaust-side counterpart of P0011. The cause is almost always the same family of failures: a stuck oil control valve, dirty oil starving the phaser, or the phaser itself failing.

Symptoms on a 2022 Ram 1500

Likely causes on a 2022 Ram 1500

  1. Stuck or sludged exhaust-side VVT oil control valve Most common
    Estimated repair: $100– $450
  2. Low engine oil level or pressure starving the exhaust cam phaser Most common
    Estimated repair: $50– $200
  3. Sludged oil passages from skipped maintenance Common
    Estimated repair: $100– $600
  4. Failed exhaust cam phaser / VVT actuator Common
    Estimated repair: $600– $1,800
  5. Stretched timing chain affecting exhaust cam position Occasional
    Estimated repair: $800– $3,000
  6. Damaged exhaust cam sensor wiring or connector Occasional
    Estimated repair: $80– $350

How to diagnose this on a 2022 Ram 1500

  1. Confirm oil level, condition, and pressure first

    VVT systems are oil-powered. Verify level is at full on a level surface with a warm engine, oil is clean (not dark or sludgy), and viscosity matches the OEM spec. Measure oil pressure with a mechanical gauge — typical 15–25 psi at idle, 40–60 psi at 2500 RPM. Low pressure must be fixed before chasing VVT parts.

    Tools: Mechanical oil pressure gauge, Dipstick / level check

  2. Read live exhaust cam position vs. commanded position

    Scan-tool live data shows commanded and actual cam position. Watch while bidirectionally commanding cam advance. A working system tracks within 1–2 degrees of command. Lag of 5 degrees or oscillation points at the actuator or oil control valve.

    Tools: Bidirectional scan tool with cam position PIDs

  3. Inspect and clean the exhaust-side oil control valve

    Remove the exhaust-side OCV. Check the inlet screen for sludge or metal debris. Bench-test with 12 V — the valve should click and open. Air should pass freely when energized and seal when de-energized. A sticking valve causes the most common P0014.

    Tools: Socket set, Brake cleaner (NOT MAF-safe), 12 V test source, Compressed air

  4. Listen for cam phaser noise at startup

    A failing exhaust phaser often rattles at cold start for 1–3 seconds. Use a mechanic's stethoscope at the front of the cylinder head. The noise stops as oil pressure builds. Continuous rattle indicates advanced phaser wear.

    Tools: Mechanic's stethoscope

  5. Verify timing chain integrity (specific engines)

    On engines with documented chain wear (BMW N20/N26, Ford 5.4 3V, VW EA888, GM 3.6 LFX), the phaser cannot fully advance once the chain has stretched — P0014 sets even with a perfect phaser. Check live cam-crank correlation drift under load.

    Tools: Scan tool with cam-crank correlation

Common fixes

About the 2020-2024 Ram 1500

The 2020-2024 Ram 1500 was commonly sold with the following powertrains: 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.6L V6, 3.0L EcoDiesel V6. Common trims include Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, Limited.

P0014 vs P0011

These two codes describe the same kind of fault on different camshafts:

Engines with dual VVT have separate phasers and separate oil control valves for intake and exhaust. P0011 and P0014 setting together points to a common cause (oil pressure, sludge, common chain issue). P0014 alone isolates to the exhaust-side hardware.

Why oil maintenance matters more than the phaser itself

Most P0014 cases on engines with under 100,000 miles trace back to oil maintenance: extended intervals, wrong viscosity, or a slow oil leak that drops level over time. The cam phaser is mechanically robust if fed clean, high-pressure oil. A $50 oil change has resolved more P0014 codes than any other single repair.

Engines that disproportionately set P0014

Related diagnostic codes