Originally posted by LUCA:
My daughter just had the same problem with her 98 Zetec.
Got her oil changed and the car started running like sh**. Low idle and no power when she stepped on the gas.
She also had the same issues that you did when trying to start the car. It threw the same CEL, 1383. We thought it was the VCT selenoid but it turned out to be her timing belt/tensioner.
Check out the condition of the timing belt.



Any ideas if this would cause a P1381?

I've got over 100K and have yet to replace my belt. Dam. thjis is going to bite me in the ars one day.

Any idea how I can check this tensioner without removing any parts other than the belt cover?