P0016

What it means

P0016 means the engine control unit has found that the position of the crankshaft does not match the position of the bank 1 'A' camshaft (usually the intake camshaft) within the expected tolerance. The ECU compares the crankshaft and camshaft sensor signals and sets the code when the timing relationship is outside the allowed limit. The cause may be mechanical timing error, a variable valve timing fault or a sensor or wiring problem.

Symptoms

• Engine warning light on
• Hard starting or long cranking
• Rough idle or misfire
• Loss of power and poor acceleration
• Rattling noise from the timing drive at start-up or idle
• Increased fuel consumption
• Engine in limp mode or refusing to start

Possible causes

• Stretched or worn timing chain, worn tensioner or guides, or a jumped or incorrectly fitted timing belt or chainlikely
• Variable valve timing (cam phaser) actuator or solenoid fault, or sticking caused by dirty or low-level engine oillikely
• Incorrect, degraded or contaminated engine oil, or low oil pressure affecting the phaser operationlikely
• Faulty camshaft or crankshaft position sensor, or a damaged or contaminated reluctor or trigger wheelpossible
• Damaged wiring, poor connector contact or a poor earth in the sensor or VVT solenoid circuitspossible
• Faulty or outdated ECU software where the manufacturer has identified a calibration issue for that enginerare
• Worn or damaged cam phaser internals or a slipped trigger wheel on the shaftrare

How to diagnose

1. Read all stored and pending codes and the freeze frame data, noting engine temperature, load and rpm when the fault set, and check for related cam, crank or VVT codes.
2. Check the engine oil level, condition and grade against the manufacturer's specification, as poor oil often affects VVT operation.
3. Inspect the sensor and VVT solenoid wiring and connectors for chafing, oil contamination, corrosion or loose pins.
4. Compare the live data for camshaft and crankshaft position and the commanded versus actual cam angle, checking whether the VVT adjustment follows the command.
5. Check the sensors and their trigger wheels for damage, debris or incorrect fitting, and test sensor signals with an oscilloscope if available.
6. Test the VVT solenoid's resistance and operation, and check for a blocked oil screen, following the procedure for that engine.
7. Check the mechanical timing by inspecting the timing marks, and measure chain stretch where the manufacturer provides a method, as the procedure varies by engine.
8. Check for any manufacturer service bulletins or software updates for the vehicle and engine.

How to fix

• Change the engine oil and filter to the correct specification if it is dirty, low or the wrong grade, and recheck.
• Replace a faulty camshaft or crankshaft position sensor, or repair damaged wiring and connectors.
• Replace a faulty VVT solenoid, or clean or replace a blocked oil control screen.
• Replace the timing chain, tensioner and guides or the timing belt kit, and set the timing correctly to the manufacturer's procedure.
• Replace a worn cam phaser or damaged trigger wheel.
• Apply an ECU software update only where the manufacturer lists it as a fix for this fault.

Can I keep driving?

Nearby codes

• P0015GenericB Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded Bank 1
• P0017GenericCrankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor B