P0016
Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)P0016 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A). It is logged by the engine control unit when the ckp/cmp monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.
What P0016 means
P0016 is a generic powertrain code that sets when the engine control module compares the signals from the crankshaft position sensor and the bank 1 camshaft position sensor ("Sensor A", usually the intake cam) and finds that the two are not aligned within the expected window. In simple terms, the cam and crank are out of sync, so the PCM cannot trust its timing reference and fuel/spark control becomes unreliable.
The root cause is most often mechanical: a stretched or jumped timing chain, a worn chain guide or tensioner, or a variable valve timing (VVT) actuator that is stuck or leaking oil pressure. It can also be triggered by an electrical fault in the cam or crank sensor circuit, a damaged reluctor/tone ring, or low or contaminated engine oil starving the VVT system.
Because the timing relationship is the foundation for ignition and injection, P0016 is treated as a serious code. The MIL will be on, the engine may run rough, lose power, knock on start-up, or refuse to start. Continuing to drive risks valve-to-piston contact on interference engines, so the vehicle should be diagnosed before further use.
Common causes
Most-frequently reported root causes when P0016 is logged.
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1
Stretched or jumped timing chain (or worn guides/tensioner)
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2
Stuck or failed bank 1 intake camshaft VVT actuator / phaser
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3
Faulty oil control valve (VVT solenoid) for bank 1
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4
Low, dirty, or incorrect-viscosity engine oil starving the VVT system
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5
Damaged wiring, connectors, or poor ground at the cam or crank position sensor
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6
Failed camshaft or crankshaft position sensor
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7
Damaged or slipped reluctor / tone ring on the crank or cam
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8
PCM software fault or, rarely, a failed PCM
Symptoms drivers notice
How to diagnose P0016
A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.
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1
Scan for all stored and pending DTCs and record freeze-frame data; address any cam/crank sensor circuit codes (P0335, P0340, etc.) before chasing P0016 alone.
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2
Check engine oil level and condition; top up or change with the manufacturer-specified grade if low, dirty, or overdue, since VVT systems depend on clean oil pressure.
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3
Visually inspect the cam and crank position sensor wiring, connectors, and mounting for damage, oil contamination, or loose pins.
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4
With a scan tool, view live data for camshaft position / VVT actual vs. commanded angle and compare crank and cam sensor signals on an oscilloscope if available to confirm a real correlation error.
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5
Test the bank 1 oil control valve (VVT solenoid) for correct resistance and free movement, and check that it is receiving control signals from the PCM.
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6
Remove the upper timing cover (or inspect via the cam sensor port) to check timing chain slack, guide wear, and tone ring condition; verify cam-to-crank alignment marks against service data.
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7
Only after the above, replace the specific failed component (chain kit, VVT actuator, solenoid, sensor, or wiring), clear the code, and road-test to confirm the correlation reads within spec.
Related powertrain codes
- P000A — A Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 1
- P000B — B Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 1
- P000C — A Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 2
- P000D — B Camshaft Position Slow Response Bank 2
- P0010 — A Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)
- P0011 — A Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1)
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to drive with a P0016 code?
It is not recommended. The engine may run rough, lose power, or stall, and on many engines a slipped timing chain can lead to valve-and-piston contact. Have the vehicle diagnosed before driving further than necessary.
Can low or dirty engine oil really cause P0016?
Yes. The variable valve timing actuator on bank 1 is hydraulically controlled by engine oil. Low level, the wrong viscosity, or sludge in the oil galleries can prevent the cam phaser from moving as commanded, which the PCM sees as a cam/crank correlation error.
Will replacing the camshaft position sensor fix P0016?
Sometimes, but not usually on its own. A faulty sensor or its wiring can set P0016, however the more common cause is a mechanical timing issue or a stuck VVT actuator. Confirm with live data and inspection before replacing parts.
What is the difference between P0016, P0017, P0018, and P0019?
They all describe a cam-to-crank correlation fault, just on different cams. P0016 is bank 1 sensor A (typically the intake cam on bank 1), P0017 is bank 1 sensor B (exhaust), P0018 is bank 2 sensor A, and P0019 is bank 2 sensor B. The diagnostic approach is the same, applied to the indicated bank and cam.
Disabling P0016 in software
RaceTune can permanently disable P0016 — and any other OBD-II diagnostic trouble code — on every ECU family we support. The monitor is disabled inside the ECU itself, so the fault stops being logged: the warning light stays off and the engine never enters limp mode for this code. The change is tied to your exact software version.
Software modifications affect emissions compliance and are not road-legal in many jurisdictions. RaceTune service files are intended for motorsport, off-road, and export use.
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