01120–01121 Camshaft Timing Control, Bank 1 - Malfunction
The control unit has flagged this system as not working the way it should, but the code does not say why. Read the live data and the freeze-frame data for this system to narrow it down before replacing parts.
Can you drive it? The engine light will stay on and the car may run in a reduced-power mode. Read the freeze-frame data to see the conditions the fault was logged under.
Which code is which
Same fault, different cylinder or bank — diagnosed the same way. Several set together usually means one shared cause.
| Code | Definition | Severity |
|---|---|---|
01120 | Camshaft Timing Control, Bank 1 - Malfunction | Investigate soon |
01121 | Camshaft Timing Control, Bank 2 - Malfunction | Investigate soon |
The definition
01120: Camshaft Timing Control, Bank 1 - Malfunction.
What to check first
Cheapest and fastest checks first:
- Check the oil level and when it was last changed. These adjusters run on oil pressure and are the first thing to suffer from old or low oil.
- Check the cam adjuster solenoid and its screen for sludge.
- Only then suspect the timing chain or belt and its tensioner.
Reading the code is the easy part
A code names the circuit that complained. What tells you why is watching the sensor behind it while the engine runs — and that is where a code reader stops and a diagnostic tool starts.
VAGPULSE reads your engine ECU's fault codes and the live measuring blocks behind them, and clears the codes once you have fixed the fault. On the engine it also does what a generic OBD reader cannot on a VAG: coding, adaptations, and Stage 1–3 flashing on Bosch ME7 petrol ECUs, with a backup saved every time it reads your ECU.
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Common questions
What does 01120 mean?
01120 means Camshaft Timing Control, Bank 1 - Malfunction. The control unit has flagged this system as not working the way it should, but the code does not say why. Read the live data and the freeze-frame data for this system to narrow it down before replacing parts.
Can I drive with 01120?
The engine light will stay on and the car may run in a reduced-power mode. Read the freeze-frame data to see the conditions the fault was logged under.