I've got a yellow check engine light on, P0013 Exhaust Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit / Open (Bank1). The car runs fine, what's up? Do I need to be concerned?

 

It all depends, P0013

https://www.obd-codes.com/p0013

It can just be low oil, dirty oil , damaged wires to the solenoid for the VVT.
How many miles on the HHR ?
How many miles since last oil change?
Any sign of rodent activity in the valve cover area?
It could also be a loose timing chain, depending on mileage.

 

But, probably need new VVT valve. Easy DIY and not too expensive.

 

Do not go cheap, and so you are aware, we get a discount from RockAuto

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/supp...-2021-a-61707/

 

Would be useful if the OP could post the year, engine size and mileage of this HHR.

 

Thanks, 93K mi, 2.4L, 1,000 mi since oil change 9 mo ago, showing 45% oil life, in the safe operating zone but needed almost a Qt, so here's what I did. I noticed the air filter box was sitting funny, the back left corner wasn't seated properly on the grommet, no mouse nest, wiring looked good, removed the AF box and replaced the AF, light still on, so I disconnected the +Bat cable for 1 min. After 3 restarts the light is out. I went ahead and changed the oil and filter.

 

Hopefully it's fixed. Much better(safer) to disconnect the battery NEGATIVE.

 

Thanks for the tip on cables, I will from now on. The reason I chose the +Pos was the bat is buried in the trunk, there's a Pos junction under the fuse box where I could access the pos cable so I chose the easy route.

 

Danger Will Robinson!!!!! If that cable end had touched almost anything we would be having a different conversation.

Disconnecting the battery clears the codes. The codes don't cause a problem; problems cause codes. It will return; dollars to donuts.

 

Yep. That P0013 code will most likely return. Time for new actuator solenoids. I had the P0010 code which is basically the same problem. Cleared it many times and it would return. Finally got the solenoids replaced. Simple job. No more code.

Quote: "1,000 mi since oil change 9 mo ago, showing 45% oil life, in the safe operating zone but needed almost a Qt, "
Is that 1,000 miles correct ? Oil life should be a lot higher with that few of miles.
If it needed almost a qt. of oil, you should find out why. That's a lot of oil consumption for only 1,000 miles.