What this code means
P0016 may mean the PCM is seeing the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft position out of sync with the crankshaft position.
What the vehicle may do
- The MIL can illuminate.
- Stop/start may be disabled when the code is active on equipped vehicles.
- The engine may show symptoms related to cam timing or cam phasing concerns.
Possible fault areas
- Possible oil level, oil condition, oil viscosity, oil filter, or oil pressure concerns.
- Possible camshaft oil control valve or cam phaser control concerns.
- Possible cam sensor target wheel concern.
- Possible timing chain, sprocket, tensioner, or guide concern.
Diagnostic path
Opening context
On this 2019 to 2024 Ram 1500DT with the 5.7 HEMI gas engine, P0016 means the PCM may be seeing the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft position out of sync with the crankshaft position. The MIL can come on, and if the truck has stop/start, that feature may be disabled while the code is active. From a diagnostic standpoint, think in broad areas first: oil quality and oil pressure, cam phaser control, the camshaft oil control valve, target wheel concerns, and mechanical timing hardware such as the chain, sprockets, tensioner, or guides. Start with the basic system checks before getting into the code path, and check for any applicable service bulletins or Star Cases related to this fault.
Monitor and set logic
For P0016, do not treat the run conditions as a repair step. They are the monitor gates. The PCM is looking at this once battery voltage is above 11.0 volts, engine speed is between approximately 500 - 5500 rpm depending on PCM calibration, engine coolant temperature is above 10°C (50°F), engine oil temperature is above between 5°C (41°F) and 10°C (50°F) depending on PCM calibration, and engine oil pressure is above approximately 220 kPa (31.9 psi). The code sets when the difference between the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft position and the crankshaft position is more than 10.0 degrees.
Confirm the fault before testing
First, scan all electronic control units, record the DTCs, and save the scan report and related data. Clear the codes, turn the ignition off for a minimum of 10.0 seconds, then turn the ignition back on. Use the captured conditions and the monitor conditions to operate the vehicle in the same situation that set the fault, then read the codes again. If P0016 does not return, handle it as an intermittent condition. If it does return, continue with the diagnostic path.
Run the exhaust phaser cleaning function
Next, use the scan tool to perform the Exhaust Phaser 1 Cleaning function. After that, clear the codes, start the engine, and let it idle. It may be necessary to test drive the vehicle and allow cam phasing to occur before the fault can reset. Read the codes again. If P0016 does not return, the cleaning function corrected the fault condition, and the next move is to verify the repair. If the code does return, keep going.
Check for related cam control faults
Now look back at the recorded codes. If there are active or pending camshaft oil control valve circuit faults or slow response faults, diagnose those first. A stuck cam phaser or camshaft oil control valve may also show up with slow response or misfire-related faults, so do not ignore that context. If those faults are not active or pending, move on to the oil and mechanical checks.
Check oil level, condition, and basic mechanical factors
Before going deeper, check the oiling and mechanical basics because skipping this can lead you the wrong way. Look for mechanical tolerances out of specification, oil pressure out of specification, low oil level, the wrong oil filter, dirty or deteriorated oil, contaminated oil, incorrect viscosity, or aerated oil. If any of those conditions are present, repair the oiling or mechanical issue as needed, then verify the repair. If none are present, continue to the oil pressure check.
Measure engine oil pressure
With the engine off, install an oil pressure gauge on the engine. Start the engine and let it idle, then watch the gauge. The decision here is whether the oil pressure is steady and above the engine specifications. If it is not steady and above specification, repair the oiling or mechanical condition, such as low oil, incorrect viscosity, contaminated or deteriorating oil, poor drain back, a blocked screen in the cylinder head, sludge, oil pump problems, pick-up tube or seal concerns, or an incorrect oil filter. Then verify the repair. If the pressure is steady and above specification, continue to the camshaft oil control valve step.
Replace the camshaft oil control valve only at this point in the path
If the earlier checks pass and the diagnostic path has led here, turn the ignition off and replace the camshaft oil control valve. After any repair or replacement involving a CMP sensor, CKP sensor, flywheel, valvetrain, timing chain, or gears, the Cam/Crank Relearn procedure must be performed; skipping that relearn can cause a misfire fault to set. Perform the Cam/Crank Relearn with the scan tool, connect the camshaft oil control valve harness connector, turn the ignition on, and clear the codes. Then operate the vehicle under the captured conditions and monitor conditions that set the code, and read the codes again. If P0016 does not return, the camshaft oil control valve repaired the fault. If it does return, move to the engine timing alignment check.
Check timing alignment and timing components
At this stage, check the timing chain and sprocket alignment. Also inspect the cam sensor target wheel, timing chain tensioner, and guides for faulty or broken components. If you find an issue with alignment or those components, make the appropriate repair, perform the Cam/Crank Relearn, and verify the repair. If no timing alignment or component issue is found, the remaining path points to a lack of oil pressure in the cylinder head or a faulty cam phaser assembly. Make the appropriate repair, perform the Cam/Crank Relearn, and verify the repair.
Repair verification and takeaway
Keep verification separate from the testing steps. After the indicated repair, clear the codes, reproduce the operating conditions that originally set P0016, and confirm the code stays gone. The key takeaway is to prove the fault first, clean and retest the phaser control, eliminate related control faults, confirm oil condition and pressure, and only then move into the oil control valve and mechanical timing checks. For more diagnostic training, visit stepdiagnostics.com.
Final check
P0016 is best approached by confirming the fault, checking oiling and control conditions in order, and then moving into mechanical timing only after the earlier checks are addressed.
For more guided automotive diagnostics, visit STEP Diagnostics.