P0016: The crankshaft and intake cam positions do not match on the left side
Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)
No. This code means the engine's timing is out of sync. Driving with incorrect cam-to-crank timing can damage the engine, and the car may run poorly enough to stall. Get it diagnosed soon.
What it means
Your engine's computer compares the crankshaft position sensor signal to the camshaft position sensor signal on every rotation. They should stay in a fixed relationship. P0016 means they are out of sync. The two most common reasons are a stretched timing chain that has let the cam slip, or a camshaft position sensor reading incorrectly. On engines with variable valve timing, a stuck phaser can also cause the signals to diverge. This is a mechanical or sensor problem, not just an electrical glitch.
Common causes
- Stretched or jumped timing chainThe most serious cause. A chain that has jumped a tooth physically shifts cam timing relative to the crank.
- Failed or dirty camshaft position sensorA faulty sensor sends an incorrect signal. Cheaper and easier to test than a timing chain job.
- Failed or dirty crankshaft position sensorThe crank sensor can also send incorrect data. Rule it out before opening the timing cover.
- Worn or stuck VVT phaserA phaser that cannot hold position causes sensor correlation errors even with a good chain.
- Low oil pressure affecting phaser operationLow oil from a leak or infrequent changes can starve the phaser and shift cam position.
What it costs
- Camshaft or crankshaft position sensor$120 to $280
- VVT phaser replacement$400 to $1,000
- Timing chain kit with labor$900 to $2,500
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Rough running or misfires
- Hard start or no-start
- Rattling noise from engine, especially at cold start
- Reduced power across all RPM ranges
What to do next
Do not drive this car beyond getting it to a shop. Have the technician read live cam and crank sensor data first, because a cheap sensor replacement is always worth ruling out before a timing chain job. If the engine rattles at cold start alongside this code, assume the chain until proven otherwise. Timing chain jobs are expensive but skipping them on a slipped chain risks bending valves on some engines.
Lewis shows the cam-to-crank correlation offset live so a technician can see whether the gap is fixed (chain or phaser) or fluctuating (sensor). Download Lewis.
Related codes
FAQ
- Is P0016 always a timing chain problem?
- No. A bad camshaft position sensor causes most P0016 cases on lower-mileage engines. Check the sensor before assuming a timing chain job.
- Can I drive with P0016 if the car feels fine?
- We recommend against it. If the chain has jumped a tooth, continued driving can bend valves. The risk is too high to drive more than necessary.
- What does 'Bank 1 Sensor A' mean?
- Bank 1 is the side of the engine containing cylinder 1. Sensor A refers to the intake cam. On a four-cylinder there is only one bank.