CEL codes 16405,16395,17755,17748 - Only caused by bad mech cam adjusters??

B6/7 S4/RS4
#21

So instead of initiating a new thread with similar issues i decided to reply here.

New member but i’ll do an intro in another post.

I’m having similar issues as this. Did a compression test the other night and while driving home the car stalled and immediately started throwing a flashing CEL. Pulled codes but there were so many because of doing the compression test i pulled the ecu fuse in order to crank without ignition.

So i cleared all the codes and started fresh. Car has really no chain rattle and no knocking noises. Runs smoothly and even revs evenly however car has no power and the only code it’s throwing is the…

16405 - Bank 2: Camshaft A (Intake)
P0021 - 008 - Retard Setpoint (Over - Advanced)

I drove the car around after clearing all the codes and it drives smooth however has no power under any kinda upper partial-throttle stuff.

I read this article and did the whole clearing codes and waiting 45 seconds to see if another fault code came up and nothing, so i then continued on to do the data-logging with idle and some throttle to 2200 rpms’ish.

I attached an excel log sheet to show the 091,092,and 093 measuring blocks.

I’m thinking it shows dead signs of mechanical adjuster failure however at the same time it shows electrical adjustment failure as well simply because of the missing horrible (clacking sound) of a failed mechanical and also the random misfires that accompany it. So what do you guys see is the problem here or what kinda nonsense can i do next to move onward.

Thanks for you help and i look forward to contributing as much as i can like i’ve done with AZ!

Cheers!
Josh

#22

Here’s the speadsheet oops!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1y7RFUwr4VP-lZGpV2CW8kz9wIczJcrI60qtrAnBXWj8/edit?usp=sharing

#23

Josh welcome. You will fit in great here. All the car guys left AZ a long time ago. You have a few that for whatever reason stayed on AZ but all the really technical guys are here. What we say is. If one guy helped you here just try to save another guy from AZ and help bring them here.

If you can it would be great to see your car and have a intro post.

Now that you have gotten a welcome from me here is the bad news. You do have a timing component failure. I would stop driving and do the timing service kit before you thought to drive again. JHM has the intermediate kit that will most likely fix everything and get you into the new parts they offer that wont fail.

#24

So is this a failure of the mechanical kind of electrical. You say I have a timing component failure however suggestions the intermediate kit which does not supply the electrical adjusters? Could elaborate of your deduction that way I buy the correct kit and not one so that I don’t have to pull engine or service twice. Thanks tho for your help and welcoming vibes! I’m looking forward to being part of this community and expanding my knowledge and furthermost helping others.

#25

Wow! Sorry for the horrible grammar^^ there is no edit button in Tapatalk so please excuse it. Lol

#26

You’ll get editing privileges with 146 more posts.

#27

Im always hesitant to say with a difinitive fact on the timing system as there are so many components that can cause an issue. You can test the cam adjuster in vag com or unplug it to see if you get a new string of codes. The electronic adjuster isnt the part that tends to go bad. Its almost a given that the guides are broken. From the logs it looks like the adjuster isnt functioning properly. As to save money or for the concern on doing the timing system and having a bad electronic adjuster you can always test the unit when you have it removed