P016C
Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 2 Sensor AP016C is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 2 Sensor A. 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 P016C means
Under the correlation-fault definition used by several manufacturers, P016C is the Bank 2 intake camshaft counterpart to P016A. The PCM has determined that the crankshaft position sensor signal and the Bank 2 intake camshaft position sensor signal are not correlating within the expected window. Bank 2 is the engine bank that does not contain cylinder number one.
Causes mirror those on Bank 1: a stretched timing chain (relevant on V-engines where a single chain or separate runs span both banks), a failed Bank 2 intake phaser, a blocked or faulty oil control valve, or degraded oil. On some V6 and V8 platforms a single long chain can develop more stretch on the Bank 2 run before Bank 1 is noticeably affected.
Note that many generic OBD-II tables assign P016C a different meaning, Closed Loop Air/Fuel Ratio Control At Limit - System Too Lean; always confirm the definition against the manufacturer service data for the specific vehicle. Symptoms of the cam-correlation fault include a lit MIL, rough idle, reduced power, and worse fuel economy. Diagnosis should begin with a scan tool review and an oil condition check before any mechanical work is undertaken.
Common causes
Most-frequently reported root causes when P016C is logged.
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1
Stretched or jumped timing chain on the Bank 2 cam run.
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2
Worn or failed Bank 2 intake camshaft phaser.
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3
Faulty or stuck oil control valve for Bank 2 intake cam.
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4
Low engine oil level or poor oil pressure.
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5
Sludged oil blocking phaser or OCV passages.
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6
Defective Bank 2 intake camshaft position sensor.
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7
Wiring or connector fault on the Bank 2 CMP sensor circuit.
Symptoms drivers notice
How to diagnose P016C
A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.
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1
Scan for all codes; note whether Bank 1 cam codes are also present, which may indicate a chain-wide issue.
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2
Confirm the manufacturer definition of P016C for this vehicle, as some OEMs use it for a fuel-trim fault rather than cam correlation.
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3
Check and correct engine oil level and condition before further diagnosis.
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4
Monitor Bank 2 intake cam actual versus desired position on live data.
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5
Inspect and test the Bank 2 intake cam OCV electrically and functionally with scan tool actuation.
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6
If the OCV is functional, evaluate the phaser for mechanical failure or restriction.
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7
Inspect the timing chain for stretch or skipped teeth if other causes are excluded, then repair, clear codes, and confirm with a drive cycle.
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
Can P016C appear alone without Bank 1 cam codes?
Yes. If the timing chain run to Bank 2 stretches before Bank 1 or if only the Bank 2 OCV fails, P016C can set independently.
How urgent is P016C?
It warrants prompt attention. A jumped timing chain can cause valve-to-piston contact on interference engines, leading to severe internal damage.
Why do some code readers describe P016C differently?
The generic OBD-II standard defines P016C as Closed Loop Air/Fuel Ratio Control At Limit - System Too Lean, while several manufacturers reuse the code for Bank 2 cam correlation. Always verify against OEM service data.
Can a cold-weather start trigger P016C falsely?
Thick cold oil can slow phaser response enough to trip the cam-correlation form of the code on startup; if it clears once warm and does not return, check the oil viscosity specification for the climate.
Disabling P016C in software
RaceTune can permanently disable P016C — 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.
ECU families we can disable P016C on
We hold the DaVinci A2L disable definitions for these families, so the exact P016C path and mask addresses are mapped. verified marks a confirmed disable definition. We support many more — upload your file and our identifier will match it automatically.
- Bosch EDC17C50 verified
- Bosch EDC17C56 verified
- Bosch MD1CP002 verified
- Bosch MD1CS001 verified
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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