P0216 Injection timing control circuit
What P0216 means
The engine computer has found a fault in the circuit that controls injection timing, most often on diesel engines with an electronically controlled injection pump. The actual timing does not follow the commanded timing, or the control circuit has an electrical fault, so the engine may run poorly or go into limp mode.
P0216 is a generic SAE J2012 code: it means the same on every make. The exact cause still depends on the car, so read the freeze-frame data before replacing parts.
At a glance
- Severity
- Medium
- Typical repair cost
- 200–1500 €
- Workshop time
- 1.5–6 h
- Repair difficulty
- Hard
- DIY possible
- No
- Check engine light
- Yes
- Affects emissions test
- Yes
- Limp mode possible
- Yes
Parts and labour at an independent workshop in Europe. Main dealers charge more; the cause decides the bill, not the code.
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Hard starting or no start
- Reduced power or limp mode
- Excessive smoke
- Knocking or uneven running
Common causes
- Faulty injection timing solenoid or pump control unit on the injection pump
- Damaged wiring or connector at the injection pump
- Low fuel supply: weak lift pump, clogged filter or air in the fuel
- Faulty crankshaft or camshaft position signal used to check timing
- Worn injection pump
Can I keep driving with P0216?
You can usually drive to a workshop, but have it checked within one to two weeks. If the engine is in limp mode, hard to start or smoking heavily, get it seen sooner.
What to check first
- Read live data for commanded and actual injection timing and note when the fault sets.
- Replace the fuel filter if due and check the fuel supply for air bubbles and adequate lift pump pressure.
- Inspect the connector and wiring to the injection pump and timing solenoid; measure the solenoid resistance.
- Check the crankshaft and camshaft position signals before condemning the injection pump.
Related codes
- P0215 Engine shutoff solenoid malfunction
- P0219 Engine overspeed condition
- P0220 Throttle/pedal position sensor B circuit
- P0221 Throttle/pedal position sensor B range/performance
- P0222 Throttle/pedal position sensor B circuit low
- P0223 Throttle/pedal position sensor B circuit high
- P0206 Cylinder 6 injector A circuit
- P0205 Cylinder 5 injector A circuit
Data: TORKO fault-code catalogue, built on OBDex (CC0-1.0) and reviewed against workshop practice. Informational only — it does not replace a diagnosis by a mechanic.
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