I pulled codes on a car at work. It didn't have a CEL but had a pending CEL for the vct, so you won't necessarily get a CEL for the vct.

But there are a ton of other things to check, especially if you haven't touched the timing belt.

98.5 SVT 91 Escort GT (almost sold) 96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve) FS: SVT rear sway bar WTB: Very cheap beater CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15