P0016: Crankshaft Position / Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)
The crankshaft and camshaft sensors don't agree on where the engine is in its cycle. The timing between them has shifted or a sensor is bad.
Green, yellow, red: three ways P0016 can look
The same code can be a quick fix or a reason to pull over. Match your situation to the closest example.
Keep an eye on it
Code set once after a low-oil situation, cleared after an oil change and hasn't returned.
Schedule a repair
Rattle on cold starts or rough running. Get the timing checked soon. The repair grows if the chain is left to stretch.
Stop and get help
Loud rattle, misfires, or a no-start. Don't drive it. A jumped chain can bend valves.
Symptoms you might notice
- Rough running
- Hard starting
- Rattle on startup
- Possible no-start
Common causes, cheapest first
- Stretched timing chain or jumped belt
- Worn cam phaser
- Low or dirty oil affecting variable timing
- Failing cam or crank sensor
- Damaged reluctor wheel
What you can check before calling
- Check oil level and condition
- Listen for rattling from the front of the engine
A code points to a system, not a part. Replacing parts based on the code alone is how people spend money without fixing the problem. Testing confirms the cause first.
Generic codes (second character 0) mean the same thing on every vehicle. Some manufacturers add their own details, so check service information for your exact vehicle.
Related codes
More cam & crank timing codes
- P0012
Camshaft Position A Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1) - P0014
Camshaft Position B Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1) - P0008
Engine Position System Performance (Bank 1) - P0010
Intake Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1) - P0336
Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance - P0341
Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance
Look up another code
Cummins fault code (like 1922), J1939 SPN and FMI (like SPN 3251 FMI 0), or an OBD-II code (like P0420).
Questions
What does P0016 mean?
P0016 means "Crankshaft Position / Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)". The crankshaft and camshaft sensors don't agree on where the engine is in its cycle. The timing between them has shifted or a sensor is bad.
Can I drive with code P0016?
It depends on what the vehicle is doing. Green: Code set once after a low-oil situation, cleared after an oil change and hasn't returned. Yellow: Rattle on cold starts or rough running. Get the timing checked soon. The repair grows if the chain is left to stretch. Red: Loud rattle, misfires, or a no-start. Don't drive it. A jumped chain can bend valves.
What causes P0016?
The most common causes are: stretched timing chain or jumped belt; worn cam phaser; low or dirty oil affecting variable timing.
Is P0016 a serious code?
It can be. Loud rattle, misfires, or a no-start. Don't drive it. A jumped chain can bend valves.
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