camshaft position sensor on 2010 tacoma

Hi, new user.

I just bought a 2011 tacoma with manual transmission. It throws P0016 code. My mechanic replaced crank sensor but it still throws the same code. I think maybe I will replace the camshaft position sensor.

My code is very tricky. It may dissappear some day when it rans or very cold. It will then come back. Looks like a wiring problem to me. But I will try to replace the camshaft position sensor if it is easy to replace. Just wonder where that is. The crankposition sensor is located behind compressor pulley and I had to ask my mechanic to do the job.

I saw some picture in this forum. Is it VVT sensor (bank 1)?

 

You are correct that the VVT Sensor is the cam sensor however that is most likely not what's causing the code.
P0016 is a Bank 1 Cam/Crank Correlation code meaning the physical timing of the Crankshaft and the Bank 1 Camshaft is incorrect.
The most likely cause is a physical timing problem (Timing Chain stretched or jumped) or the Bank 1 VVT Oil Control Valve is sticking or the screen is plugged.
The first thing to check when diagnosing timing codes is oil level and condition because the valve timing system relies on oil pressure and clean oil to work properly.
What engine do you have 2.7L 4cyl or 4.0L V6?

 

Thanks for your reply.

I have a 2.7L 4Cyl. I am wondering if wiring is an issue as the code would disappear once in a day or two especially when engine is cold.

I just replaced oil.

 

You may want to pull the oil control valve and make sure it's clean and not sticking, I'm not sure if the 4cyl has VVT screens or not.
Otherwise the only way to check physical timing is with an oscilloscope on the cam and crank sensor and a known good waveform or removing the valve cover and lining up the timing marks to see if they match.

 

Thanks, will check the OCV tomorrow. I think the previous has not changed oil for a while and the OCV might be dirty. I am pretty handy but the oscilloscope is beyond my beyond my expertise. Will ask if my mechanic can do that. Are you a mechanic?

 

How many miles.

There's potential that it's a stretched timing chain.

 

Yes, I work part time at an automotive shop.
I do quite a bit of drivablility and electrical diag although I don't get to work on many Tacoma's as we don't see them broken very often, I've learned quite a bit about them by lurking on here though.

 

It is 197K. I have been thinking of timing chain issue as well. However, the truck runs great. And the weird thing is that the the CEL would disappear occasionally. When it rains or become very cold, it will dissppear but when engine warms up, CEL will come back again.

 

It's a pig to diagnose, you need an oscilloscope to do it properly.

If toyota used proper timing marks you'd just remove the valve cover and check the timing but nooooo

Another method is to inspect the timing chain tensioner to see how far extended it is.

OCV is possible as are the cam phasers (the gear on the cam shaft)

But with Toyotas I tend to lean hard towards the chain. Especially after 200k

 

If it is a stretched chain the cam timing could be just on the borderline of setting the code and thus the code not setting instantly all the time.

 

This makes sense. I was thinking of wiring issues. But borderline timing might be the issue.

 

I would expect it to set a P0340/41 if there was a problem with the sensor or wiring.

 

So P0016 is not related to wiring? Thanks. I will not look for wiring issue then. If it is really timing chain issue, I think I will file a claim against the seller (a dealer). I understand it would be a pretty expensive repair.

 

By the way, my tacoma is a 2010 model. Not 2011. For any of you who wonder where the camsensor is. Please see my picture. Refer to the red circle.