The computer compares the signals from the crankshaft sensor and the camshaft sensor. The angle between them is out of tolerance - the gearing is not synchronized.
High. It could be a stretched chain or a jumped belt. If it breaks or skips more, in many engines the valves hit the pistons.
Petrol and diesel engines. Timing chain or belt, tensioner, variator (VVT), sensors.
What does P0016 mean
The crankshaft moves the pistons, and the camshaft moves the valves. They are connected by a chain or belt and must rotate in exact proportion. P0016 means that the camshaft "lags" or "rushes" relative to the crankshaft more than allowed. Often comes out together with P0300 or codes for the variator like P0011.
Symptoms
- Rattling or rattling from the front of the engine, especially when cold
- Difficult ignition, rough idle
- Loss of power
- Engine stalls or does not start
| Can it be driven?
Not recommended. If you hear a rattling from the chain, the car needs to be serviced as soon as possible. A broken chain or a jumped belt could mean a head repair.
Common reasons
- Timing chain stretched and worn guides—the most common cause in chain motors.
- Defective tensioner — hydraulic or mechanical.
- Skipped timing belt or misplaced during the last shift.
- Camshaft Variator (VVT) or its solenoid.
- Low or old oil — the variator and tensioner work with oil pressure.
- Defective sensor for crankshaft or camshaft (P0335, P0340).
How we diagnose it
- We watch in real time the angle between the two shafts and the operation of the variator.
- We check the oil and the solenoid of the variator.
- We check the signals of both sensors.
- We open the gear cover and check the marks, chain, guides and tensioner.