P0016 code only! 2006 clk350 (solenoid or sensor)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 66
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From: Houston
W222 s550 , BMW 535i 15’
P0016 code only! 2006 clk350 (solenoid or sensor)
Hey guys!
You guessed it I'm getting the singular P0016 camshaft/crankshaft code.
Now everyone Wait a min!... Before everyone tells me to search the forum for old threads, I'd like to mention that all the threads I've seen ended right BEFORE the OP actually said whether or not his fix worked!! It's frustrating!
I checked my vin at mb and was told that my wires were replaced in 2012 per my vin/recall by the dealership.
My question is should I replace the sensor or solenoid/magnet on the passenger bank 1 per the P0016 code?
Please help guys I have the dreaded CEL and no time to take it in.
You guessed it I'm getting the singular P0016 camshaft/crankshaft code.
Now everyone Wait a min!... Before everyone tells me to search the forum for old threads, I'd like to mention that all the threads I've seen ended right BEFORE the OP actually said whether or not his fix worked!! It's frustrating!
I checked my vin at mb and was told that my wires were replaced in 2012 per my vin/recall by the dealership.
My question is should I replace the sensor or solenoid/magnet on the passenger bank 1 per the P0016 code?
Please help guys I have the dreaded CEL and no time to take it in.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
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P0016 is not a symptom of camshaft solenoid problems. It is a symptom of balance shaft failure (specifically, the timing chain idler sprocket on the end of the balance shaft). There are other possible problems that could cause a P0016, but they are very, very rare and also no less expensive to repair than the balance shaft sprocket. And given that your car is a MY2006 with the M272 engine, that is the most likely problem. See scenario #1:
http://benzbits.com/BalanceShaftTSB.pdf
http://benzbits.com/BalanceShaftTSB.pdf
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 6
From: Houston
W222 s550 , BMW 535i 15’
P0016 is not a symptom of camshaft solenoid problems. It is a symptom of balance shaft failure (specifically, the timing chain idler sprocket on the end of the balance shaft). There are other possible problems that could cause a P0016, but they are very, very rare and also no less expensive to repair than the balance shaft sprocket. And given that your car is a MY2006 with the M272 engine, that is the most likely problem. See scenario #1:
http://benzbits.com/BalanceShaftTSB.pdf
http://benzbits.com/BalanceShaftTSB.pdf
Before I go all out and investigate a major repair, I'd like to try switching a part out as indicated by the code (code read by autozone) which is most likely to need replacing the sensor or solenoid?
Last edited by mecca281; Feb 11, 2015 at 03:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 6
From: Houston
W222 s550 , BMW 535i 15’
Interesting update... I disconnected the bank 1 solenoid A and ran the engine for a little bit... The cel went off.. I'm sure it will come back again but I think this shows the problem is in that "loop" I also notice some oil/dirt around the solenoid cable so I plan on cleaning that tonight, plugging everything back up and driving it to see if my cel comes back.
If it does my first step is replace the solenoid.. What do you guys think?
If it does my first step is replace the solenoid.. What do you guys think?
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
The generic OBDII code "P0016" translates to four different DTCs:
1205 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Advanced'
1206 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Retarded'
1207 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Advanced'
1208 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Retarded'
DTC 1208 is the one that is symptomatic of "balance shaft" failure. The others are symptoms of either a bad adjuster or a timing chain problem. The camshaft adjuster is the clutch assembly on the end of the camshaft and requires camshaft removal to repair. This could be your problem since fiddling with its solenoid seems to change things. Then again, the early stages of balance shaft failure will only trigger the MIL intermittently, so that could just be coincidental. The only way to know for sure is a proper diagnosis with MBZ equipment to get the proper DTC. Also, there is a method of removing the camshaft position sensors, setting the crankshaft position, and checking the location of the timing stamps through the openings:
1205 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Advanced'
1206 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Retarded'
1207 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Advanced'
1208 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Retarded'
DTC 1208 is the one that is symptomatic of "balance shaft" failure. The others are symptoms of either a bad adjuster or a timing chain problem. The camshaft adjuster is the clutch assembly on the end of the camshaft and requires camshaft removal to repair. This could be your problem since fiddling with its solenoid seems to change things. Then again, the early stages of balance shaft failure will only trigger the MIL intermittently, so that could just be coincidental. The only way to know for sure is a proper diagnosis with MBZ equipment to get the proper DTC. Also, there is a method of removing the camshaft position sensors, setting the crankshaft position, and checking the location of the timing stamps through the openings:
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 6
From: Houston
W222 s550 , BMW 535i 15’
So, the camshaft assembly is a known issue with the w209. I took it to euro car care (nice/ reputable euro shop) and they pretty much diagnosed a mechanical issue just as you stated... I got some what of a work order...
Do you think I have a case to have this work order covered since Mercedes has gotten enough complaints about the faulty design? I was told they replaced by cable harness back in 2012, but that seems like a bandaid on a cancer sore!
My vin is WDBTK56G16T056236
Do you think I have a case to have this work order covered since Mercedes has gotten enough complaints about the faulty design? I was told they replaced by cable harness back in 2012, but that seems like a bandaid on a cancer sore!
My vin is WDBTK56G16T056236
The generic OBDII code "P0016" translates to four different DTCs:
1205 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Advanced'
1206 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Retarded'
1207 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Advanced'
1208 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Retarded'
DTC 1208 is the one that is symptomatic of "balance shaft" failure. The others are symptoms of either a bad adjuster or a timing chain problem. The camshaft adjuster is the clutch assembly on the end of the camshaft and requires camshaft removal to repair. This could be your problem since fiddling with its solenoid seems to change things. Then again, the early stages of balance shaft failure will only trigger the MIL intermittently, so that could just be coincidental. The only way to know for sure is a proper diagnosis with MBZ equipment to get the proper DTC. Also, there is a method of removing the camshaft position sensors, setting the crankshaft position, and checking the location of the timing stamps through the openings:
Mercedes-Benz M272 : Fast and Simple Detection of Balance Shaft Failure - YouTube
1205 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Advanced'
1206 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Retarded'
1207 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Advanced'
1208 Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction 'Retarded'
DTC 1208 is the one that is symptomatic of "balance shaft" failure. The others are symptoms of either a bad adjuster or a timing chain problem. The camshaft adjuster is the clutch assembly on the end of the camshaft and requires camshaft removal to repair. This could be your problem since fiddling with its solenoid seems to change things. Then again, the early stages of balance shaft failure will only trigger the MIL intermittently, so that could just be coincidental. The only way to know for sure is a proper diagnosis with MBZ equipment to get the proper DTC. Also, there is a method of removing the camshaft position sensors, setting the crankshaft position, and checking the location of the timing stamps through the openings:
Mercedes-Benz M272 : Fast and Simple Detection of Balance Shaft Failure - YouTube
