Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Check engine light- strange problem?

It's inside the valve cover.

Give it a continuity test first, unplug it on top of the valve cover.
If it's just stuck you can:

• Do a motor flush
• Get a new one
• Try to take it apart

Pull the timing belt cover and check belt tension and condition. When replacing the belt ALWAYS replace the idler and tensioner!

Timing belt change.

Thanks. I had no idea where to find the solenoid.
I drove the car today and it was much better. I think oil change has helped. The weak acceleration occured only intermittently today like maybe the solenoid is sticky. I just thought of something else too. Since about 80,000 miles I have been using 10W-30 Castrol instead of 5W-30. This may have some bearing on problem. If the problem continues, I will flush and change back to 5W-30. (I assumed with that many miles, the 10W might be better for the engine).

If that doesn't do it, I'll start on solenoid, timing belt replacement, etc. Thanks to all of you who have responded. I'll post what I find out.

2000 Contour SE 2.0L, 93,000 miles, CEL came on with error code P1383(Variable Cam Timing Over Retarded, poor acceleration was the first hint of trouble when the CEL came on.

It didn't take long to find out what the problem was. Car gave up the ghost this morning and quietly coasted to the shoulder of the road (As my wife was on her way to work). I went to pick her up and tried the car briefly. Motor turned over extremely fast. I knew immediately the timing belt was no more. After a $75 wrecker bill and a $148 timing kit, and about 10 hrs. of my time the car is running better than ever. (I also replaced the plugs.) CEL light cleared itself. I was lucky, no damage was done when the belt died. According to the info in the timing kit, 90,000 miles was the suggested replacement on this belt. (60,000 miles on some models) I got 93,000. Guess I'll pay attention next time. Thanks for all the help.