VCT Solenoid location?

2018 KIA SEDONA
80,000 MILES • 3.3L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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My daughter failed echeck and she got this diagnostic saying to replace the Variable Camshaft Timing Solenoid. I am not sure the location of this solenoid.
Apr 6, 2026 at 6:56 AM
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STEVE W.
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You are going to need more information to even start doing that repair, the code(s) she has and any symptoms would help. That is because there are 4 cam position sensors, and 4 camshaft control solenoids and 4 timing actuators. Depending on the code and symptoms we can try to determine the problem. These are not parts you want to just swap as they run about $150.00 each and at minimum the intake manifold has to come off to get to any of them. Then if the fault is actually the actuators, the entire front of the engine has to come apart because those are the timing sprockets that the chains run on.
So we'll start with the codes and symptoms please?
Apr 6, 2026 at 9:54 PM
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Good Morning Steve:
The noise we are hearing sounds like sort of a loose exhaust and she lost power and had to baby the van home the other day. She took it to the auto parts store and they put the scanner on it and it showed P0014 which states that the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft position timing was advanced beyond limits. Most likely solution was to replace the VCT Solenoid.
Apr 7, 2026 at 4:41 AM
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STEVE W.
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OK, that is what most parts stores say, but they never report the actual results. P0014 can be the solenoid or the can phaser, both cause the same error. However the first thing I generally ask is "When was the last oil change and is it full?" That is the actual #1 cause of that code. Next is do you hear any noises, See if it was the valve, it generally sticks the cam phaser (cam drive sprocket) in one position and you hear nothing, it just sets a code. In this case though you say you are hearing valve-train noise. That usually points to a failed phaser and not the solenoid. However you could find a shop that has an OE scan tool and do a simple actuator test. What that would do is show the camshaft sensor readings with the solenoid on and off. If the readings stay the same regardless of the solenoid operation and the solenoid showed the typical current spike on the tool, the phaser has failed. If however the readings changed but not fully, the solenoid is more likely the problem. Being the exhaust solenoid you will need to open the engine, the valve is under the valve cover bolted to the cylinder head. The connector however is out in the open so there is a quick and dirty test you can do. The solenoid works from a pulsed 12 volt signal, as such you can unplug it's connector and apply battery voltage directly and see if you can hear it open and close.
They are usually quite loud when the engine is off. Attached are the wire diagrams. You apply battery plus to the Red wire and negative acts as the trigger.
Apr 7, 2026 at 1:18 PM
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Steve: While I was waiting on your second reply, I checked her oil dipstick and there was NO oil on it. So I did an oil change and test drove it and it is running alot better. She says there is still a little noise. So I cleared the codes, took it to echeck for a fail and getting temp tags so I can keep test running it locally. Maybe it was the no oil issues causing this code? I will keep you posted.
Apr 7, 2026 at 4:29 PM
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STEVE W.
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Low oil is one of the most common issues, especially with most of the newer vehicles drinking oil like it's fuel! I would run it a bit, then change it again and watch it's use. She might have gotten lucky.
Apr 7, 2026 at 11:37 PM
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Yea. Many thanks Steve.
Apr 8, 2026 at 1:20 PM
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STEVE W.
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Please let us know if the oil change didn't keep it alive or if you have additional VVT issues.
Apr 8, 2026 at 2:57 PM