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P0016 — Crank/Cam Correlation Fault (Bank 1 Intake)

P0016 is set when the ECM compares the relative timing of the crankshaft and Bank 1 intake camshaft sensors and finds them more than a calibrated number of degrees out of alignment. This almost always means one of three things: the timing chain or belt has stretched or jumped, the cam phaser is mechanically stuck, or one of the position sensors is producing a bad signal. P0016 is one of the strongest early indicators of timing chain wear on modern engines.

P0016 means crank/cam correlation fault (bank 1 intake). A vehicle usually stays drivable short-term with this code, but it should be diagnosed promptly. The most common cause is stretched timing chain or worn guides (typically $800–$3,500). Causes and cost vary by make and model; confirm the root cause before replacing parts.

Severity: high powertrain Safe to drive (short term)

Reviewed by MECH AI Editorial · Last verified

What does P0016 mean?

P0016 is set when the ECM compares the relative timing of the crankshaft and Bank 1 intake camshaft sensors and finds them more than a calibrated number of degrees out of alignment. This almost always means one of three things: the timing chain or belt has stretched or jumped, the cam phaser is mechanically stuck, or one of the position sensors is producing a bad signal. P0016 is one of the strongest early indicators of timing chain wear on modern engines.

What are the symptoms of P0016?

What causes P0016?

Cause Likelihood Estimated repair (USD)
Stretched timing chain or worn guides — Chain stretch is a well-documented failure on many 2010-2020 engines. Most common $800–$3,500
Stuck or worn cam phaser (cannot return to base timing) Common $400–$1,500
Failed cam or crank position sensor producing offset readings Common $100–$400
VVT oil control valve stuck open advancing cam without command Occasional $100–$450
Low oil pressure causing the cam phaser to drift Occasional $50–$200
Tone ring slipped or damaged on the cam or crankshaft Occasional $300–$1,500
Timing chain jumped one tooth after a tensioner failure Rare $1,000–$4,000

Repair costs are typical US ranges and vary by make, model, model year, and labor rate. A diagnostic trouble code is a symptom, not a guaranteed failed part — confirm the root cause before replacing anything.

Is it safe to drive with P0016?

In most cases a vehicle stays drivable for short trips with P0016 active, but you should diagnose and repair it promptly. This is a high-severity code — ignoring it can lead to further damage or a failed emissions test. Exact tolerance depends on your specific make and model.

How to diagnose P0016

  1. Verify engine oil level and pressure first

    P0016 with low oil pressure is often the VVT system unable to return the cam phaser to base position. Confirm oil level on level ground, check condition (dark or sludgy?), and measure pressure at idle and 2500 RPM before proceeding.

    Tools: Dipstick, Mechanical oil pressure gauge

  2. Read cam-crank correlation in live data

    With the engine running, watch the cam and crank position PIDs. They should maintain a fixed offset. If the offset drifts as RPM rises, the chain is stretching under load. If the offset is static but wrong, the chain may have jumped a tooth.

    Tools: Scan tool with cam and crank position PIDs

  3. Listen for timing chain noise

    With a stethoscope on the front timing cover, listen at cold start. A healthy chain runs silent. A rattle for 1–3 seconds at cold start that quiets with oil pressure is early chain wear. Continuous rattle at idle indicates advanced wear — at this point the chain must be replaced soon to avoid valve damage.

    Tools: Mechanic's stethoscope

  4. Inspect timing chain stretch directly (specific engines)

    On engines with documented chain wear (BMW N20/N26, Ford 5.4 3V, VW/Audi EA888, GM 3.6 LFX/LLT), the chain wear can be measured with the front cover off. The chain mark on the head/cam sprocket relative to the manufacturer's wear indicator tells you the remaining service life.

    Tools: Engine service manual, Specialized timing tools (engine-specific)

  5. Test the cam and crank sensors with a scope

    Both sensors should produce clean square-wave signals. Compare to known-good waveforms in the service manual. A sensor with a missing tooth or noise on the signal will set P0016 even with a perfect chain. Replacing the sensor is the cheap fix to rule out before opening the timing cover.

    Tools: Oscilloscope or scan tool with raw sensor PIDs

How do I fix P0016?

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P0016: frequently asked questions

What does diagnostic trouble code P0016 mean?

P0016 is set when the ECM compares the relative timing of the crankshaft and Bank 1 intake camshaft sensors and finds them more than a calibrated number of degrees out of alignment. This almost always means one of three things: the timing chain or belt has stretched or jumped, the cam phaser is mechanically stuck, or one of the position sensors is producing a bad signal. P0016 is one of the strongest early indicators of timing chain wear on modern engines.

What are the symptoms of P0016?

Check Engine Light is illuminated. Hard cold start with long crank times. Rough idle and reduced low-end torque. Engine rattle or chirp on startup (chain slap). Mid-range power loss. Reduced fuel economy. Possible no-start if cam timing has slipped far enough

What causes P0016?

Stretched timing chain or worn guides (most-common). Stuck or worn cam phaser (cannot return to base timing) (common). Failed cam or crank position sensor producing offset readings (common). VVT oil control valve stuck open advancing cam without command (occasional). Low oil pressure causing the cam phaser to drift (occasional). Tone ring slipped or damaged on the cam or crankshaft (occasional). Timing chain jumped one tooth after a tensioner failure (rare)

Is it safe to drive with P0016?

In most cases a vehicle stays drivable for short trips with P0016 active, but it should be diagnosed and repaired promptly — this is a high-severity code. Ignoring it can lead to further damage or a failed emissions test. Specific tolerance varies by make and model.