P1396 on Jaguar
Variable Valve Timing Solenoid Malfunction — Bank B
P1396 on Jaguar vehicles indicates variable valve timing solenoid malfunction — bank b. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Jaguar model — most commonly on XK. Jaguar manufacturer-specific code for the variable valve timing system on the AJ-series V8. The ECM commands the VVT solenoid on the 'B' bank and monitors the resulting camshaft position; P1396 sets when the commanded valve-timing change is not achieved, indicating a fault in the VVT solenoid, its circuit, or the mechanical phasing it controls. Jaguar publishes a dedicated diagnostic procedure ('Variable Valve Timing Solenoid - DTC P1396 Diagnosis') that checks the VVT solenoid, the VVT actuator and the camshaft position sensor reluctor. The companion code P1384 covers the 'A' bank. Typical repair costs on Jaguar range from $600 to $2,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P1396
- •Failed or electrically open/shorted VVT solenoid on the B bank
- •Dirty or degraded engine oil, or sludge partially blocking the VVT oil galleries and solenoid screen
- •Low oil level / low oil pressure
- •Worn VVT actuator (cam phaser) or damaged camshaft position sensor reluctor
- •Stretched timing chain or tensioner wear altering cam phasing
- •Wiring, connector or ECM driver fault on the solenoid circuit
P1396 on Jaguar by Model
Jaguar XK(1 issue)
- Variable Valve Timing (VVT) Solenoid Cold-Start Rattle2007-2009
On the 4.2 AJ-V8, worn VVT solenoids and cam phasers are a leading cause of a brief rattle on cold start-up. The locking pin in the intake-cam actuator sticks or breaks, allowing excessive cam movement (roughly 20 degrees each way) until oil pressure builds. It grows more common at higher mileage and can be aggravated by degraded or wrong-viscosity oil. While often just noise, a failing phaser/solenoid can eventually set cam timing correlation faults.
Looking for P1396 on a different make?
View P1396 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P1396 mean on Jaguar?▼
P1396 stands for "Variable Valve Timing Solenoid Malfunction — Bank B." Jaguar manufacturer-specific code for the variable valve timing system on the AJ-series V8. The ECM commands the VVT solenoid on the 'B' bank and monitors the resulting camshaft position; P1396 sets when the commanded valve-timing change is not achieved, indicating a fault in the VVT solenoid, its circuit, or the mechanical phasing it controls. Jaguar publishes a dedicated diagnostic procedure ('Variable Valve Timing Solenoid - DTC P1396 Diagnosis') that checks the VVT solenoid, the VVT actuator and the camshaft position sensor reluctor. The companion code P1384 covers the 'A' bank. On Jaguar specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P1396 on Jaguar vehicles?▼
Common causes on Jaguar: Failed or electrically open/shorted VVT solenoid on the B bank, Dirty or degraded engine oil, or sludge partially blocking the VVT oil galleries and solenoid screen, Low oil level / low oil pressure, Worn VVT actuator (cam phaser) or damaged camshaft position sensor reluctor, Stretched timing chain or tensioner wear altering cam phasing. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P1396 on a Jaguar?▼
Repair costs on Jaguar range from $600 to $2,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Jaguar models have P1396 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P1396 on 1 Jaguar model: XK.