P0016 to P0019: crankshaft and camshaft correlation
The crankshaft and camshaft sensors disagree about where the engine is in its cycle, by more than the computer allows.
SeverityHighCarrying on can cause expensive damage, so deal with it now.
Can you keep driving?Only as far as the workshopWhat does P0016 mean?
The crankshaft and the camshafts are linked by a chain or a belt, so their positions always relate in the same way. The engine computer reads both sensors and checks that relation. When it drifts outside the tolerance, it stores a correlation code. This is not a circuit fault: both sensors are being read, but what they say does not agree.
What causes P0016?
- A stretched timing chain, or worn guides and tensioner
- A timing belt that has jumped a tooth or was fitted out of time
- A variable timing actuator stuck away from its rest position
- A damaged reluctor wheel, or a sensor that has moved
- Low oil pressure affecting the chain tensioner or the timing actuator
What to check first for P0016
- Listen for a rattle in the first seconds after a cold start, a typical sign of a worn chain
- Check the oil level and condition
- Have the camshaft and crankshaft signals compared on a scan tool or oscilloscope
- If the timing is in doubt, have the marks checked mechanically before anything else is replaced
Can you drive with P0016?
Treat it as serious. A chain or belt that has slipped can slip further, and on many engines the valves then strike the pistons. Drive only a short distance to a workshop, gently, or have the car towed if the engine rattles or runs badly.
In states with an OBD-II emissions inspection, a car with the check engine light on fails the test until the fault is fixed.
Codes on this page
- P0016Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position CorrelationBank 1 Sensor A
- P0017Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position CorrelationBank 1 Sensor B
- P0018Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position CorrelationBank 2 Sensor A
- P0019Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position CorrelationBank 2 Sensor B
Related codes
Checked on · Rafael Soares
These are the generic meanings every manufacturer shares. Each brand adds its own detail, so your car's handbook, its service information and a qualified mechanic have the last word. OdoKeep has no connection with any manufacturer, and the app does not read codes from the car.
