P0016 Error Code

I would think if it was serious it wouldn't have gone off on its own.

 

Sure its not a PO116 which is engine temperature? If it was the crankshaft sensor it would not go out.
Carefully check engine coolant tank level and get a flashlight and look under the ICE water pump for green spots which is a leaking water pump seal. Are you on the original water pump?

 

Yes, you should be concerned if the code reappears. This means that the camshaft timing chain has either worn or the tensioner has eased up to the point that the sprocket has slipped one position, or the engine ECU has a problem.

If the camshaft timing gets worse, eventually the engine may fail. It is unclear whether the Prius engine is an interference design, where the pistons may hit the valves if the timing is off.

 

Yep - on some cars, even if the chain slips one tooth on the chain, you can smack a valve into a piston.

 

I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ...P0016 error code. I have 193000 miles odometer. Prius running well. I use 1 quart a month. I have full power performance. Light disappears and goes out days at a time. CarMD OBD monitor reads P0016, but when I hook the OBDII tester to the internet website it states there is nothing wrong. Check light is presently on. I brought the car in to the shop-Mechanic says to make sure you are not running too full on the dip stick and to make sure you do not have dirty oil. Check and eliminate that it is not the camshaft position sensor or wiring is not the problem otherwise change it. I drove off the lot and the light cam on again. Now I will return to the shop for review, when I have time later on.

 

Were you able to find a resolution for the p0016 code? i have the same error code and have changed all the sensors and no solution. Any information would be appreciated

 

What are you using to read the codes? There are too many stories of false readings coming from brand X code readers. If you want to be sure, get the mini VCI reader.

 

I used the mini vci (tech stream)to read the code and it said p0016. I replaced both cam position and crank position sensor, cleared the code from the ecu memory. Code came 40 miles later. The engine drives perfectly with the code present. My next step is replacing the intake cam gear. Side note: timing chain is on time.

 

Okay, here is an update of what has been done . Cam postion sensor, crank postion sensor have been swapped out and exhanged for new ones. Intake cam gear has been changed for a new one , timing chain has been set on proper timing, new timing chain tension has been installed. Oil has been changed. The engine code still comes up. Ive erased it more than three times using tech stream. I have driven fifty miles monitoring the car and running health checks along the route. At first it comes up as a pending code with no engine light on up yet . As you drive something causes for the light to come on, but there isnt any sign of failure or decrease engine performance. i truly dont know what to do.

 

DTC P0016:

1. Do the marks on the crankshaft pulley and camshaft pulley align when they get close to each other? (That shows the valve timing is correct.)
2. Have you replaced the oil control valve which regulates oil pressure to the variable valve timing controller? (If it has failed, the variable valve timing will not function.)
3. If all else is good, the engine ECU would be the suspect item.

 

i havent changed the oil control valve, not a bad idea. Im actually looking for a haynes manual to see if when changing the intake cam gear (vvti) are you suppose to lock the gear in.

 

You would be wasting your time and money with Haynes.

techinfo.toyota.com is a subscription website with factory repair manual info.

You can access the oil control valve by removing the engine air cleaner housing. Make sure the new valve has a new O-ring installed. Use engine oil to lube the O-ring and valve before installation. 66 in.-lb tightening torque on the valve bolt. No need to lock the camshaft gear prior to valve removal and installation.

 

Hello,

Patrick, can you tell me how this all turned out? I am having the same problems described here. Ive reset the code but it comes back. I havent changed any sensors, but I am looking to just go ahead and change the timing chain. I have about 170000 miles on my prius 2008 right now.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
jaw

 

I'm not one of the posters who reported a problem with P0016.

The timing chain is not easy to replace. Consult techinfo.toyota.com for repair manual info.

 

Does anyone know how this ended? I have exact the same problem too.
p0016 code and somtimes the MIL go off. But the code is still in there.
Checkt the timing and is al clear. I don't know what to do now.
Engine oil is new and OCV is checkt. Strange code....
Engine runs fine and smooth as it can be.

 

Ok, I solved the problem. New Timing chain and tensoners hasbeen placed. The engine has been flushed and the code went away voor 3000 miles now

 

I am struggling with the same scenario as you. I am trying to get my prius to pass california emissions. I am having this PENDING CODE, exactly as you mentioned. I have changed my exaust with a california one, changed the Crankshaft sensor, changed the VVT oil control solenoid, and of course changed my oil, flushed engine, and synthetic and filter.

Can you tell me what happened after this point for you. I have been to the smog place almost 10 times, driven hundreds of miles to try and get rid of this code. This is extremely frustrating. Thank You Jaw

 

As you can read above, i may think that you need to replace the timingchain.
Its probably longer than its suppoost to be.
This fixt the problem for me, after i replaced all this the code never came back for 13.000 miles now.

 

I have over 250k miles on my 2005 Prius, at 190k miles I changed the sensors, with no luck fixing the P0016 trouble code from coming on. I still drive the Prius and erase the trouble code as it comes up. I have Full power but the light comes on more frequently now. I suppose I will need a timing chain inspection but I have been living with the problem for over 8 years now. Lol.