P2DEE code meaning
Cylinder 5 Intake Valve Lift Range/Performance
Powertrain system Generic code P2Dxx codes Check engine light
What P2DEE means
P2DEE can only occur on engines with five or more cylinders and means the intake valve lift of cylinder 5 is outside the commanded range or late. Two-step lift reached V6 engines such as the 3.6 L Pentastar, which FCA updated for 2016. An FCA patent built around switchable roller finger followers, each with an oil control valve, detects a valve stuck in the wrong lift mode from the ripple of camshaft speed taken from the cam position sensor: a filtered amplitude minus a stored nominal value, squared, gives a stuck-valve index that is checked against a threshold within about two engine cycles. Whether a given make stores such a fault as P2DEE is not published. Expect a cylinder 5 misfire, rough idle and the lamp.
P2DEE at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyHard
- Typical labor1 to 8 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P2DEE
- Check engine light on
- Misfire on cylinder 5
- Ticking from the valvetrain on one bank
Common causes of P2DEE
- Most likelySwitching roller finger follower of cylinder 5 stuck in one mode
- PossibleOil control valve for the lift switching sticking or contaminated
- PossibleOil pressure too low to move the lock pins
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Intake valve lift actuator cyl 5VVT system
What each part of P2DEE means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 2 | Generic code (second SAE range): it means the same on every make. |
| EE | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P2DEE and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P2DEE
What does P2DEE mean?
P2DEE means "Cylinder 5 Intake Valve Lift Range/Performance". P2DEE can only occur on engines with five or more cylinders and means the intake valve lift of cylinder 5 is outside the commanded range or late. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P2DEE?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P2DEE the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P2DEE fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P2DEE is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P2DEE to fix?
Difficulty: hard. A typical repair takes 1 to 8 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P2DEE clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.