Hi, Still working on my P1396 code, (1999 XK8 covrt 85k miles)

Some important history on my car. I did have the chains, tenisoners etc all replaced and Impotantly it was cleaned up and oil flushed 4 times now. It was pretty gunked up, really gunked up according to my mechanic. (I will post the pictures sometime) So maybe this is an oil flow problem, hence trying to reverse flush it next time. I also ran 40w oil once to see if that made any diff, it didn't.

I reset all the codes (P1000 not included) and it gets a P1396 code every start up cycle (CEL only comes on 2nd start up cycle AFTER the engine cools from the 1st startup) but the code usally only comes after I start driving down the street, even after a 7 min warm up w/ at least 30 second ar 3000 rpms. My mechanic say Voltages are all good, in and out of the computer and equal and increase on both banks together. The selonids are working. But does that mean the one seloniod could be still sticking and throwing the P1396 code??? Also, Is it two seperate signals from each bank selonoid to the computer??? Could I make wire extensions and cross hook up the selonoids on each Bank over the top of the engine??? Or switch the plugins at the computer output for each VVT selonoids ???? Then if I got the code for the other bank I'd know it was just the Selonoid?? I was thinking of trying this before I take it back and have my mechanic replace the one selonid or switch them and also attempt a reverse oil flush among checking other things like cam sensors and whatever else I or he can think of.

Oh, I'm going thru this because I'm trying to get the car LEGALY inspected. (my 1st option) The car accelerates and runs better then any car I have ever owned. It's a joy to drive, no hesitation and idles smooth. Just trying to get the P1396 code to go away. Maybe it's just the seloniod for a split second being slow??? Causing the cams to be out for a second?? So maybe I can switch the wires and find out, Think that would work???? Thanks

 

Scott, what was the outcome?