CAT 92 Fault Code: Intake Valve Actuator #1 not responding
Also called Intake Valve Actuator #1 Current current high, Intake Valve Actuator #1 Current current low, Intake Valve Actuator #1 current high, Intake Valve Actuator #1 current low, Intake Valve Actuator #2 Current current high, Intake Valve Actuator #2 Current current low, Intake Valve Actuator #2 current high, Intake Valve Actuator #2 current low, Intake Valve Actuator #2 not responding
Intake Valve Actuator #1 not responding · ai-assisted, editor-reviewed · Last updated 2026-07-13
TL;DR
CAT code 92 covers current high, current low, and not-responding faults on the Intake Valve Actuator system for cylinder 1 or cylinder 2, tracked as SPN 2950 / FMI 7 on C11, C13, and C15 engines. It points to a problem in the hydraulic-electric Intake Valve Actuation (IVA) system, either an open circuit at the actuator solenoid or the actuator failing to respond to ECM commands. Several versions of this code cause an engine derate.
High severity. This code can trigger an engine derate, and if logged repeatedly the derate persists until the code is cleared and will return if the underlying condition is not fixed. It is not an immediate shutdown code, but ignoring it risks continued power loss and possible cylinder or valve train damage.
What does CAT error code 92 mean?
The Intake Valve Actuation (IVA) system uses pressurized engine oil, controlled by the ECM, to delay the closing of the intake valves. It relies on a check valve, a pressure sensor threaded into an oil rail, a control valve with a coil and spool, and actuators located under the valve covers that use both oil pressure and electrical commands to hold the rocker arms down.
Code 92 fires when the ECM either sees an electrical current problem (too high or too low, including an open circuit) on the solenoid driving the actuator for cylinder 1 or cylinder 2, or when the actuator itself is active but not responding correctly to the command it was given.
Because the intake valve actuator is a hybrid hydraulic/electric device, a fault can come from wiring and solenoid issues, from oil delivery and leakage issues, or from mechanical wear such as incorrect valve lash. Multiple root causes can produce the same fault code.
What triggers a CAT 92 code?
For the low current (open circuit) versions: the ECM detects a low current condition during five consecutive attempts to energize the intake valve actuator for cylinder 1 or cylinder 2, while battery voltage stays above 9 VDC for the last 2 seconds. For the not-responding versions: the ECM detects that the intake valve actuator for the affected cylinder is not working properly while that actuator is active; the engine is derated while this code is active, and if it logs multiple times the derate remains until the code is cleared.
Common causes of 92
- Failed or degraded intake valve actuator (solenoid) for cylinder 1 or cylinder 2
- Open or damaged harness wiring between the valve cover connector and the ECM connector
- Poor or corroded wiring connection at the valve cover connector for the solenoid
- ECM connector or harness connection problem, or ECM failure
- Faulty intake valve actuation oil pressure sensor
- Oil leak near the solenoids or under the valve cover
- Loose purge orifice
- Debris contaminating the intake valve actuator system
- Failed or damaged check valve in the oil rail
- Failed cylinder (identified through cylinder cut-out testing)
- Incorrect valve lash setting on the intake valve actuator
- Incorrect actuator adjustment
How to troubleshoot CAT 92: first checks
- Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors at the valve cover for the affected cylinder's solenoid, looking for corrosion, chafing, or loose pins.
- Check the ECM connector and its harness connection for looseness, corrosion, or damage.
- Inspect for oil leaks near the solenoids, under the valve cover, and around the check valve and pressure sensor.
- Confirm valve lash is set correctly for the affected cylinder and correct it if out of specification.
- Look for debris or contamination in the intake valve actuator oil circuit, including a loose purge orifice.
- If the actuator itself is suspected, perform a cylinder cut-out test to help confirm whether the actuator or the cylinder is the failed component.
How the code clears
No separate clearing step is listed beyond fixing the underlying cause. For the not-responding versions, the engine derate stays active until the code is cleared, and if the root cause is not actually resolved, the derate will return and the code will log again. There is no distinct reset procedure described beyond correcting the fault and clearing the active code.
Affected models and serial ranges
92 appears in our records across 3 CAT models. Match your machine by model and serial number.
| Model | Serial ranges |
|---|---|
| C11 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C13 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C15 | Serial range not listed in source records |
Frequently asked questions
What does CAT code 92 mean?
It means the ECM has found a current or response problem with the Intake Valve Actuator for cylinder 1 or cylinder 2 in the Intake Valve Actuation (IVA) system, which uses engine oil pressure and electrical solenoids to control intake valve closing timing.
Will code 92 cause a derate?
The not-responding versions of this code do cause an engine derate while active. If the code logs multiple times, the derate stays in effect until the code is cleared, and it can return if the underlying issue is not fixed.
Is code 92 an electrical or oil problem?
It can be either. The IVA system is hybrid: an open circuit or wiring fault on the solenoid can trigger the low current version, while oil leaks, debris, a failed check valve, or incorrect valve lash can trigger the not-responding version.
Which engines use this code?
CAT C11, C13, and C15 engines equipped with the Intake Valve Actuation (IVA) system can set fault code 92, tracked as SPN 2950 with FMI 7.
Can incorrect valve lash cause code 92?
Yes. Incorrect valve lash settings or improper adjustment of the actuator are both listed causes for the intake valve actuator not responding correctly to ECM commands.
Do I need a cylinder cut-out test for this code?
It can help. A cylinder cut-out test is one way to confirm whether a failed cylinder, rather than the actuator itself, is behind the fault.
Is it safe to keep running the machine with code 92 active?
Running the machine with this code active means dealing with a possible derate and risking further wear on the actuator or valve train. It should be diagnosed and corrected promptly rather than ignored.