Stretched or jumped timing chain or timing belt; Worn or failing timing chain tensioner or guide; Faulty camshaft position sensor or damaged sensor wiring; Faulty crankshaft position sensor or damaged sensor wiring; Variable valve timing (VVT) solenoid or phaser stuck or contaminated; Incorrectly installed timing components after a prior repair; Engine oil sludge or low oil pressure affecting VVT phaser operation

DTC codes / P00xx · Fuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls / P0016

P0016Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)

Q: What does code P0016 mean?

Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A). P0016 means the engine computer has compared the crankshaft position sensor signal with the camshaft position sensor signal on Bank 1 and found they are not staying in the correct mechanical relationship. The computer expects the camshaft to be at a specific angle relative to the crankshaft at every moment, and the measured correlation has drifted outside the allowed window.

P0016 means the engine computer has compared the crankshaft position sensor signal with the camshaft position sensor signal on Bank 1 and found they are not staying in the correct mechanical relationship. The computer expects the camshaft to be at a specific angle relative to the crankshaft at every moment, and the measured correlation has drifted outside the allowed window.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityHigh

Fix difficultyProfessional

AreaFuel and air metering and auxiliary emission controls

Symptoms you may notice

Illumination of the check engine light, often with no other symptoms besides the warning light
Rough idle or unstable engine speed at a stop
Reduced engine power or limp-home mode on some vehicles
Hard starting or a longer than normal crank time
Poor fuel economy or increased exhaust emissions
Occasional engine misfire or stumble during acceleration

Common causes, most likely first

Stretched or jumped timing chain or timing belt
Worn or failing timing chain tensioner or guide
Faulty camshaft position sensor or damaged sensor wiring
Faulty crankshaft position sensor or damaged sensor wiring
Variable valve timing (VVT) solenoid or phaser stuck or contaminated
Incorrectly installed timing components after a prior repair
Engine oil sludge or low oil pressure affecting VVT phaser operation

How to diagnose and fix it

Scan all modules and record freeze-frame data for P0016 and any related codes before clearing anything
Verify engine oil level and condition, then check oil pressure if the level is correct
Inspect the camshaft and crankshaft sensor connectors and wiring for corrosion, chafing, or loose pins
Use a scan tool to compare commanded and actual camshaft timing while revving the engine in park or neutral
Perform a mechanical timing verification by aligning the crankshaft and camshaft timing marks to the factory procedure
Test the VVT solenoid for correct resistance and operation, and inspect the phaser for sludge or sticking
Replace the timing chain, belt, tensioner, and guides if mechanical timing is off, then clear codes and recheck correlation

What a P0016 often really means

A stretched timing chain is the most common root cause on high-mileage engines, and the code often appears long before the chain jumps a tooth and causes valve damage.
A failed VVT solenoid can set P0016 because the computer cannot achieve the commanded camshaft angle, so test the solenoid before condemning the timing chain.
Low engine oil level or sludge can starve the VVT phaser and trigger this code, so always check oil condition before any mechanical teardown.
Some vehicles set P0016 after a timing belt replacement if the belt is installed one tooth off, so verify the timing marks carefully on any recent repair.
The code does not always mean the engine is mechanically out of time; sensor signal interference or a failing camshaft sensor can produce the same correlation error.

Can I keep driving with P0016?

If the engine runs smoothly and the light is steady, you can drive short distances to a repair shop, but avoid hard acceleration and high RPM. If the engine runs rough, misfires, or the light flashes, stop driving and have the vehicle towed because a jumped timing chain can cause severe internal engine damage.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.