Test Procedure
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 32 other vehicles, including the 2005 Mercury Sable, 2005 Mercury Mountaineer, 2005 Mercury Monterey, 2005 Mercury Montego, and 2005 Mercury Mariner. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- HK1 DTCS P0010, P0020, P1380 OR P1385: CHECK FOR VCT DTCS
- Clear the DTCs.
- The engine should be at operating temperature before running the self-test.
- Carry out the KOER self-test.
Are DTCs P0010, P0020, P1380 or P1385 present?
Yes No For KOER DTCs P0010 or P1380, GO to HK3.
For KOER DTCs P0020 or P1385, GO to HK9.GO to HK2. - HK2 CARRY OUT A THOROUGH WIGGLE TEST ON THE VCT HARNESS
- Carry out a thorough wiggle test on the VCT harness.
- Carry out the KOER self-test.
Are DTCs P0010, P1380, P0020 or P1385 present?
Yes No For KOER DTCs P0010 or P1380, GO to HK3.
For KOER DTCs P0020 or P1385, GO to HK9.GO to PINPOINT TEST Z STEP 1 . - HK3 CHECK THE VCT1 SOLENOID RESISTANCE
- Key in OFF position.
- VCT1 Actuator connector disconnected.
- Measure the resistance between:
(+) VCT1 Actuator Connector, Component Side (-) VCT1 Actuator Connector, Component Side VCT1 VPWR
Is the resistance between 5 ohms - 14 ohms?
Yes No GO to HK4. INSTALL a new VCT1 actuator. - HK4 CHECK THE VCT1 SOLENOID FOR INTERNAL SHORTS
Is the resistance greater than 10K ohms?
Yes No GO to HK5. INSTALL a new VCT1 actuator. - HK5 CHECK THE VPWR CIRCUIT FOR AN OPEN IN THE HARNESS
- Key in ON position.
- Measure the voltage between:
(+) VCT1 Actuator Connector, Harness Side (-) VPWR Ground
Is the voltage greater than 10.5 V?
Yes No GO to HK6. REPAIR the open circuit. - HK6 CHECK THE VCT1 CIRCUIT FOR A SHORT TO PWR IN THE HARNESS
- Key in OFF position.
- PCM connector disconnected.
- Key in ON position.
- Measure the voltage between:
(+) VCT1 Actuator Connector, Harness Side (-) VCT1 Ground
Is the voltage less than 1 V?
Yes No GO to HK7. REPAIR the short circuit to PWR. - HK7 CHECK THE VCT1 CIRCUIT FOR AN OPEN IN THE HARNESS
- Key in OFF position.
- Measure the resistance between:
(+) VCT1 Actuator Connector, Harness Side (-) PCM Connector, Harness Side VCT1 VCT1
Is the resistance less than 5 ohms?
Yes No GO to HK8. REPAIR the open circuit. - HK8 CHECK THE VCT1 CIRCUIT FOR A SHORT TO GND IN THE HARNESS
Is the resistance greater than 10K ohms?
Yes No INSTALL a new PCM. REFER to FLASH ELECTRICALLY ERASABLE PROGRAMMABLE READ ONLY MEMORY (EEPROM) . REPAIR the short circuit to GND. - HK9 DTCS P0020 OR P1385: CHECK THE VCT2 SOLENOID RESISTANCE
- Key in OFF position.
- VCT2 Actuator connector disconnected.
- Measure the resistance between:
(+) VCT2 Actuator Connector, Component Side (-) VCT2 Actuator Connector, Component Side VCT2 VPWR
Is the resistance between 5 ohms - 14 ohms?
Yes No GO to HK10. INSTALL a new VCT2 actuator. - HK10 CHECK THE VCT2 SOLENOID FOR INTERNAL SHORTS
Is the resistance greater than 10K ohms?
Yes No GO to HK11. INSTALL a new VCT2 actuator. - HK11 CHECK THE VPWR CIRCUIT FOR AN OPEN IN THE HARNESS
- Key in ON position.
- Measure the voltage between:
(+) VCT2 Actuator Connector, Harness Side (-) VPWR Ground
Is the voltage greater than 10.5 V?
Yes No GO to HK12. REPAIR the open circuit. - HK12 CHECK THE VCT2 CIRCUIT FOR A SHORT TO PWR IN THE HARNESS
- Key in OFF position.
- PCM connector disconnected.
- Key in ON position.
- Measure the voltage between:
(+) VCT2 Actuator Connector, Harness Side (-) VCT2 Ground
Is the voltage less than 1 V?
Yes No GO to HK13. REPAIR the short circuit to PWR. - HK13 CHECK THE VCT2 CIRCUIT FOR AN OPEN IN THE HARNESS
- Key in OFF position.
- Measure the resistance between:
(+) VCT2 Actuator Connector, Harness Side (-) PCM Connector, Harness Side VCT2 VCT2
Is the resistance less than 5 ohms?
Yes No GO to HK14. REPAIR the open circuit. - HK14 CHECK THE VCT2 CIRCUIT FOR A SHORT TO GND IN THE HARNESS
Is the resistance greater than 10K ohms?
Yes No INSTALL a new PCM. REFER to FLASH ELECTRICALLY ERASABLE PROGRAMMABLE READ ONLY MEMORY (EEPROM) . REPAIR the short circuit to GND. - HK15 KOER DTCS P0011, P1381, P0012, P1383, P0021, P1386, P0022 AND P1388: NOTE: Only diagnose VCT actuator and circuit indicated by the DTC.
Oil contamination in VCT systems can cause positioning errors. VCT systems require an oil filter specific to the application.
- Check the operation of the VCT solenoid and check for a stuck or sticking solenoid valve caused by contamination. If the valve is stuck, check the spider bracket for contamination prior to installing a new solenoid.
- Check vehicle oil filter identification for proper type.
- Engine at normal operating temperature.
- Clear the DTCs.
- KOER Self Test.
- Check for KOER DTCs:
Are DTCs P0011, P1381, P0012, P1383, P0021, P1386, P0022 or P1388 present?
Yes No Key in OFF position. INSTALL a new VCT actuator. Unable to duplicate or identify the fault at this time.
GO to PINPOINT TEST Z STEP 1 .