P0016: Crankshaft and camshaft position mismatch (bank 1, sensor A)

What P0016 means

The ECU checks that the crankshaft and camshaft always turn in step, using a sensor on each. This code appears when the position of one relative to the other drifts outside the allowed range, either through a mechanical timing problem or because a sensor is giving a wrong reading. Sensor A is usually on the intake camshaft and sensor B on the exhaust camshaft, depending on the manufacturer.

Most common causes

• Low or degraded oil leaving the cam phaser out of position
• Faulty camshaft or crankshaft sensor, or a loose connector
• Sticking variable timing solenoid or phaser
• Stretched timing chain or belt, worn tensioner or jumped tooth
• Damaged or shifted reluctor ring (the toothed wheel the sensor reads)

Symptoms

• Engine warning light on
• Hard or slow starting
• Lack of power and hesitation
• Chain rattle, especially from cold
• Engine stalling

Can you drive with P0016?

With care You can take the car to a garage calmly, but do not put it off: if the timing has jumped or keeps stretching, it can end up damaging the engine.

How to check it

Listen to the engine on a cold start: a metallic rattle for a few seconds points to the chain or tensioner. If the scan tool also shows crankshaft or camshaft sensor codes, deal with those first.

How to read and clear P0016 with Final OBD

Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0016 with this same explanation and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.

With Free you read this code with its short description for nothing, and clear it if the engine stores it over standard OBD. With Pro you get the full explanation, how the car was running when it was logged (revs, temperature, load) and clearing in every control unit.

Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before the ITV. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in the ITV and OBD.

Similar codes

• P0012 Camshaft A timing over-retarded (bank 1)
• P0013 Camshaft B actuator control: open circuit (bank 1)
• P0014 Camshaft B timing over-advanced (bank 1)
• P0015 Camshaft B timing over-retarded (bank 1)
• P0017 Crankshaft and camshaft position mismatch (bank 1, sensor B)
• P0018 Crankshaft and camshaft position mismatch (bank 2, sensor A)
• P0019 Crankshaft and camshaft position mismatch (bank 2, sensor B)
• P0020 Camshaft A actuator control: open circuit (bank 2)
• P0010 Camshaft A actuator control: open circuit (bank 1)
• P0011 Camshaft A timing over-advanced (bank 1)
• P0021 Camshaft A timing over-advanced (bank 2)
• P0022 Camshaft A timing over-retarded (bank 2)

P0016 is a generic code, so it means the same on any make, for example on Alfa Romeo, Dacia, Kia, Opel / Vauxhall, Toyota, Škoda. See what Final OBD does on your car in makes and models.