P0016 on a 60k mile car

[Sfrs2013]

I too now have the dreaded crank/cam sensor code. My FRS is at the Toyota dealer. Car is still under warranty with only 42k on it. They have had it a week and have not been able to figure it out yet. They assure me that my car will be fixed at no cost to me. They have already tried the OCV swap and code is on same side as before. If and when they figure it out then I will post here as an update to try and help others with this issue.

[TheStig85]

Originally Posted by TheStig85

Going to see if I can find a used ECU to test first. If the code doesn't throw, that's the issue. If it continues, then I'll need to look into the filters. Crossing my fingers. Unless anyone here has an ECU I can borrow?

Forgot to update this, but replaced the ECU and the issue is gone. There's some speculation, but we're thinking that it's possible that an OBD2 scanner shorted the ECU and caused all of these problems for me... I'm going to get the ECU retuned and see how she runs. I'll update if anything happens negatively.

[Ultramaroon]

@TheStig85, I'm curious to see what your new VVT Initial Position Learning Values are. If it's not too much trouble, (it's some trouble, I know) could you post a screenshot of them?

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

Indeed. All of the above.

Here is mine.








Here is The Stig's.

[steve99]

Originally Posted by TheStig85

Forgot to update this, but replaced the ECU and the issue is gone. There's some speculation, but we're thinking that it's possible that an OBD2 scanner shorted the ECU and caused all of these problems for me... I'm going to get the ECU retuned and see how she runs. I'll update if anything happens negatively.

I believe this would be virtually impossible.


The obd port connects to the CAN bus, this buss interconnects most of the electronic control units in car so they can exchange data. A bad obd tool may interrupt communications but unlikely to damage can buss . If it did then ecu or other modules would be throwing codes re not being able to talk to each other.


Id guess the bad ecu had bad inputs or output cgannels that controll the cam actuators or read in cam sensor data , this is totally separate connections to the CAN buss.


CAN buss is contoller area network buss.

[Sfrs2013]

Well I left the dealer this evening. Service rep said they have tried everything they can think of but didnt give me details. He says they are going g to tear I to the engine to check the camshaft, timing,parts, etc! Thank the lord for the platinum warranty I bought!

[Jamestl]

Hi all - no issues for me since the spring after I replaced the ECU. Have put some miles on the car, have been careful about using 0w20 oil, esp during the winter, and have done ~10 track days this year.

Fingers crossed it'll stay this way!

[Sfrs2013]

Hey guys, so after sleeping on this the thought has occurred to me. Should the dealer even be messing with my car if it has an HKS supercharger on it and the ECU I'm sure is NOT tuned to their specifications but I'm sure has a tuned program in it right? Could the ECU have somehow threw this code if the Tunisian g was lost somehow? Does anyone know to help me on this? Thanks.

[alxtheoreo]

Originally Posted by Sfrs2013

Hey guys, so after sleeping on this the thought has occurred to me. Should the dealer even be messing with my car if it has an HKS supercharger on it and the ECU I'm sure is NOT tuned to their specifications but I'm sure has a tuned program in it right? Could the ECU have somehow threw this code if the Tunisian g was lost somehow? Does anyone know to help me on this? Thanks.

I wouldn't let the dealership mess with it. They can claim the added modifications caused the cam sprocket failure, and you'll need to pay up full price for the repair/replace of all four.

Now, if you're already over 60,000 miles, it won't matter. Just tell them all your mods and they should make a decision to work on your car. If they're not comfortable (or yourself), take it to your tuner.

[Sfrs2013]

Well, The car only has 40k on it. Of course dealer called today and said I they could not honor warranty because I did not have my oil changed there! Big surprise that they found a loop hole huh? They couldn't blame the SC because I bought it with it on it. But I knew they would find a loop hole. Im kinda glad they did and it was a relief to me that hey di not break open the engine yet! Im going to pick it up shortly and do things myself. Im quiet capable as I have built a few engines in my life. I just took it to the dealer because of the low mileage.This one may be a little more complicated but I think I can do it with this forums help and You Tube!

[Sfrs2013]

On a side note, If my car has a bad cam sprocket or some other type of internal engine issue then I should I not be able to tell? The car runs great. No missing, backfiring, hard starts, etc. Just the CEL "crank/cam sensor bank 1"

[Sfrs2013]

Ill start another thread for this issue and see where I get. Thanks guys.

[TheStig85]

Originally Posted by Sfrs2013

On a side note, If my car has a bad cam sprocket or some other type of internal engine issue then I should I not be able to tell? The car runs great. No missing, backfiring, hard starts, etc. Just the CEL "crank/cam sensor bank 1"

Hard to say, you really need proper test equipment. You could assume it's not mechanical if it's running smoothly and maybe it's a short somewhere.

Everyone's case is slightly different. Mine (I hope) was just the ECU.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[Sfrs2013]

OK. I got car back from dealer and had an extensive chat with the tech who tinkered with my car. Codes are gone now and after 25 miles or so NO code yet! Maybe my issue was simply a clearance issue on a sensor and him moving things around solved it. If I do get a code again then I will pull timing cover and go from there. Anyway, The dealer gave me $650 back on what was left of the warranty that was no good in the first place! So, If my car stays code free and runs as good as it is now then I am actually $650 to the good after trying to get the dealer to fix the issue LOL!!

[SSPFRS]

Just took my 2013 FRS 51k into dealer with CEL/Traction ctrl light on. They are replacing Cam Sprocket and ECU under warranty. Anyone know if Toyo issued a TSB on this ?