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Question....can anyone confirm for me what the sensor is in the pictures below? I seem to remember once reading that it is a VVT solenoid...but I could be totally wrong.
The plastic retaining clip on this sensor is broken (naturally) and currently only stays in place with friction.
Why do I ask?
Occasionally for over a year now, I've been getting a P1388 code. I'll clear the code and it'll go away for a while. After learning that it is related to VVT, my thought was perhaps this connector is the culprit. I've read the related TSB; I have a MY02, so I believe it does not apply.
Engine runs and idles as smooth as butter, can literally balance a cap on the intake manifold. I have no loss of power or other driveability issues.
Now, she IS due for an oil change and I will happily entertain the notion of some gunked up VVT passages. I can add some ATF into the oil and put on 500 or so miles before the next oil change if said sensor likely isn't related. Or perhaps I should just do that anyway for good measure...I'm curious to hear your thoughts.
You have two of those VVT things. Did you mean replace the part, or replace the connector plug? The valve costs a fair chunk of money (about £120 each) to replace; especially as it requires replacing the inlet manifold gaskets (4 of them) and cam cover gaskets (6 of them). And, while you have the manifold off, you might want to change the spark plugs and the o-rings on the variable venturi flaps (forgotten the proper name) as these have a limited lifespan and also require removing the manifold.
You have two of those VVT things. Did you mean replace the part, or replace the connector plug? The valve costs a fair chunk of money (about £120 each) to replace; especially as it requires replacing the inlet manifold gaskets (4 of them) and cam cover gaskets (6 of them). And, while you have the manifold off, you might want to change the spark plugs and the o-rings on the variable venturi flaps (forgotten the proper name) as these have a limited lifespan and also require removing the manifold.
Hey there Sporton, is that the VVT? I would like to know as well.
The plastic retaining clip on this sensor is broken (naturally) and currently only stays in place with friction.
Why do I ask?
Occasionally for over a year now, I've been getting a P1388 code. I'll clear the code and it'll go away for a while. After learning that it is related to VVT, my thought was perhaps this connector is the culprit.
That is definitely your VVT actuator, aka solenoid.
Has the connector ever worked loose? Or does it stay put, even if friction is the only thing holding it? If the plug always stays connected, fixing the issue with the retaining clip is nice but will have nil effect on the P1388 code.
As lazy as I am, I don't like to make more work for myself. The little clip is only a secondary lock. Friction is the primary thing holding any plug in place. That plug is right out in the open so is easy to monitor, and gravity helps hold it together, too. In the rare event it were to work loose, the engine would still continue to run just fine and you'd get the fault code as a nudge to take a look.
Here's a good thread on P1383/1388 codes. Please see post #31 for a stunningly brilliant recap of the subject and how oil viscosity may be part of the issue:
Hey there Sporton, is that the VVT? I would like to know as well.
Yes, the VVT solenoid. I replaced one of mine in an effort to get rid of a slight rattle on start up. It didn’t fix the problem. I may try the other one, but I might not bother.
rattle is an an out of round phaser or busted park pin
The rattle goes away if I blip the throttle and doesn’t return until next time I start the engine from cold.
I had no idea my car was equipped with a phaser. Eat your heart out Captain Kirk!
What is a park pin? A gearbox component?
That is definitely your VVT actuator, aka solenoid.
Has the connector ever worked loose? Or does it stay put, even if friction is the only thing holding it? If the plug always stays connected, fixing the issue with the retaining clip is nice but will have nil effect on the P1388 code.
As lazy as I am, I don't like to make more work for myself. The little clip is only a secondary lock. Friction is the primary thing holding any plug in place. That plug is right out in the open so is easy to monitor, and gravity helps hold it together, too. In the rare event it were to work loose, the engine would still continue to run just fine and you'd get the fault code as a nudge to take a look.
Here's a good thread on P1383/1388 codes. Please see post #31 for a stunningly brilliant recap of the subject and how oil viscosity may be part of the issue:
I want to say it stays in place…I’ve never found it to be worked out of position. But it’s not flush against the bottom, which is why I wonder. I sprayed some DeOxit on it last time and the code hasn’t been back for months…the longest it’s gone.
Yeah reading through the thread now…perhaps I need to throw some ATF in there before my next oil change just for good measure.
This might sound odd…but this only seems to happen when I drive it for a few days in a row. Almost like the engine gets some real heat into it and then throws the code, whereas the once a week cruise doesn’t do it. Might be the viscosity thing coming into play.
What's This? (and...P1388)
