P016B
Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor BP016B is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor B. It is logged by the engine control unit when the powertrain monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.
What P016B means
P016B indicates that the PCM has detected an out-of-range correlation between the crankshaft position sensor and the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft position sensor (Sensor B). Like its intake-side counterpart P016A, this code signals that actual cam timing does not match what the PCM commanded for the exhaust cam phaser on Bank 1.
Common causes include a worn exhaust camshaft phaser, a malfunctioning oil control valve dedicated to the exhaust cam circuit, low oil pressure, or a stretched timing chain. On engines with dual independent cam phasing, each camshaft has its own OCV and phaser, so an exhaust-only fault should be investigated separately from intake-side codes.
Exhaust cam timing faults can affect backpressure management, exhaust gas recirculation events, and overlap timing, leading to rough running, elevated emissions, and reduced power. Diagnosis follows the same systematic approach as intake cam correlation faults: check oil condition, evaluate OCV function with a scan tool, and inspect the timing chain if other causes are ruled out.
Common causes
Most-frequently reported root causes when P016B is logged.
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1
Stretched or jumped timing chain affecting exhaust cam timing.
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2
Worn or seized Bank 1 exhaust camshaft phaser.
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3
Failed or stuck oil control valve for Bank 1 exhaust cam.
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4
Insufficient oil pressure or low oil level.
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5
Oil sludge restricting exhaust cam OCV or phaser passages.
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6
Faulty Bank 1 exhaust camshaft position sensor.
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7
Damaged wiring or connector on exhaust CMP sensor circuit.
Symptoms drivers notice
How to diagnose P016B
A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.
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1
Retrieve all DTCs with a scan tool; compare with any intake cam or oil pressure related codes.
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2
Verify engine oil level and quality; dirty or low oil commonly causes phaser faults.
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3
Observe live cam position data on the scan tool; compare actual versus desired exhaust cam angle.
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4
Electrically test the exhaust cam OCV connector and wiring for continuity and shorts.
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5
Command the exhaust cam OCV on/off with the scan tool to check phaser response.
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6
If phaser movement is absent with a confirmed good OCV signal, inspect for timing chain stretch or a failed phaser unit.
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7
Repair confirmed faulty components, clear codes, and verify repair with a test drive.
Related powertrain codes
- P0100 — Mass or Volume Air Flow A Circuit Malfunction
- P0101 — Mass or Volume Air Flow A Circuit Range/Performance Problem
- P0102 — Mass or Volume Air Flow A Circuit Low Input
- P0103 — Mass or Volume Air Flow A Circuit High Input
- P0104 — Mass or Volume Air Flow A Circuit Intermittent
- P0105 — Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Malfunction
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between P016A and P016B?
P016A covers the Bank 1 intake (Sensor A) cam correlation fault; P016B covers the Bank 1 exhaust (Sensor B) cam correlation fault. Each cam has its own phaser and OCV.
Can a bad oil change cause P016B?
Using the wrong oil viscosity or an oil that degrades quickly can starve the phaser of adequate pressure, which may trigger this code.
Will P016B cause a failed emissions test?
Yes. The MIL will be on and any readiness monitors affected by cam timing may show as incomplete, causing an automatic failure in most OBD-II emissions programs.
Does P016B require engine teardown to fix?
Not always. Many cases are resolved by addressing oil condition, cleaning or replacing the OCV, or replacing the phaser without major disassembly.
Disabling P016B in software
RaceTune can permanently disable P016B — 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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