What Does P0029 Mean?
P0029 indicates that the exhaust valve control solenoid circuit on Bank 2 is operating outside its expected range or not performing correctly. The ECM has detected that the Bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid does not respond within the expected electrical or functional parameters when commanded. This affects exhaust valve timing or lift control on Bank 2 cylinders, potentially reducing exhaust scavenging efficiency, power output, and increasing emissions from those cylinders.
Common Causes
30%
Bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid degraded or partially stuck, not responding correctly to commanded duty cycles
25%
Wiring or connector issue in the Bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid circuit causing intermittent or resistive connection
20%
Contaminated or degraded engine oil restricting hydraulic flow to the Bank 2 exhaust valve control actuator
15%
Mechanical wear in the Bank 2 exhaust variable valve mechanism causing binding or limited actuator range
10%
ECM driver circuit for the Bank 2 exhaust solenoid producing inconsistent output voltage or current
Diagnostic Steps
1
Monitor the Bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid duty cycle and actuator position feedback in live data — compare behavior to the Bank 1 exhaust solenoid to determine if the fault is bank-specific.
2
Measure the Bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid coil resistance and compare to specification and to the corresponding Bank 1 solenoid. Out-of-spec resistance confirms a faulty solenoid.
3
Remove and inspect the Bank 2 exhaust solenoid for sludge contamination, screen filter blockage, and plunger sticking or binding.
4
Check engine oil level and condition — degraded oil is the most common systemic cause of valve control solenoid performance issues. Change if needed and retest.
5
Use a bidirectional scan tool to command the solenoid duty cycle from 0% to 100% and verify smooth, proportional actuator response. Dead spots indicate a mechanical or hydraulic fault.
6
Inspect the Bank 2 exhaust solenoid wiring harness routing near exhaust components for heat damage, chafing, or melted insulation.
Estimated Repair Cost
$100 - $800
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
P0029 indicates that the exhaust valve control solenoid circuit on Bank 2 is operating outside its expected range or not performing correctly. The ECM has detected that the Bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid does not respond within the expected electrical or functional parameters when commanded. ...
The most common cause of P0029 (Exhaust Valve Control Solenoid Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 2)) is: Bank 2 exhaust valve control solenoid degraded or partially stuck, not responding correctly to commanded duty cycles
Typical repair costs for P0029 range from $100 to $800, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
The vehicle is safe to drive with reduced performance from Bank 2 cylinders. The ECM will default to a safe exhaust valve position, maintaining engine operability. Plan for repair within a few weeks to restore full performance and prevent additional component wear.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P0029 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Variable Valve Timing (VVT)
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
Recommended Tools
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