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Wiring Maybe????

K

knixon

New CEG'er
Joined
Oct 21, 2006
Messages
12
Hi All,

My car is making me crazy, I bought a 98 4 cylinder automatic contour a couple of months ago.
The car has been nothing but problems. I have had the codes scanned and am coming up with VCT Solenoid overadvanced. What is strange is I was with my mechanic recently and we were testing the car with the scanner on it. After the car warms up it surges and jumps erratically and violently. Anyway we were driving and monitering the VCT Solenoid and it appears to be operating properly but then the Scanner lost connection with the car (it was still plugged in) I dont remember the exact message but I beleive it was something along the lines of "cannot find car". We pulled over and reset the computer and then the surging began. So far I have changed the
camshaft sensor
New plugs and wires
New ECU (ouch)
Fuel filter
Air filter
Oil Change
Transmission Service
and some other minor things.
At this point I dont really care if the car uses a little more fuel which from the research I've done is all the VCT Solenoid really does and cleans emissions, I just want to be able to drive it.
Just curios and looking for suggestions.

Thanks in Advance
 
Is it P1381 or P1383. If it is P1381 then first try to change oil. Dirty oil can give this code. If that doesn't help it is most likely a bad VCT solenoid.
 
I realize the solenoid is bad but I don't think that that would cause the car to stop sending messages to the scanner or jerk and surge when hot, would it? I have changed the oil and it is code P1381.
 
The cam gear is spring-loaded in the fully advanced position, so if the VCT solenoid becomes damaged or malfunctions, the car will still maintain normal operation and performance. However, if the cam gear mechanism malfunctions, or if the timing belt is installed incorrectly, the exhaust cam can end up in the fully retarded position, giving you the same effect as having an EGR valve stuck wide open ... rough idle, stalling, hesitation on tip in, etc
 
Thanks for your fast response.

While we had the car on the scanner the VCT Solenoid seemed to be operating regularly and the car runs smooth problem free until it heats up. The timing belt has recently been changed, it was tough to align but after a few tries it is correct. I guess my question is what would cause the scanner to stop receiving messages from the car, and after that happens why does the car surge and drive horribly?
 
Don't know why the scanner quits reading but if you didn't have that code before doing timing job, I would make sure the timing is right. On the Zetec with the VCT solenoid the timing has to be perfect or you will get the P1380, or P1381 or P1383 code.
 
The code was there before the timing belt job. That was one of my solutions to the initial vct problem. I am positive that the timing is correct now.
 
knixon said:
The code was there before the timing belt job. That was one of my solutions to the initial vct problem. I am positive that the timing is correct now.
Click to expand...
How many miles since the last oil and filter change? Is the dipstick inserted correctly and is the oil cap closed tight?
 
I just got the oil changed maybe 1000kms ago. I think the dipstick and oil cap are tight. The car is at my mechanic right now. Why do you ask?
 
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