Where is the vct solenoid located - 2001 Lincoln Navigator

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Cam timing improperly set
Continuous oil flow to the VCT piston chamber
VCT solenoid valve stuck open
Camshaft advance mechanism binding (VCT unit).

What engine ? It's a solenoid , usually located in the front of the valve cover , top or side .
Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) System

The VCT enables rotation of the camshaft(s) relative to the crankshaft rotation as a function of engine operating conditions. There are 4 types of VCT systems.

• Exhaust phase shifting (EPS) system - the exhaust cam is the active cam being retarded.
• Intake phase shifting (IPS) system - the intake cam is the active cam being advanced.
• Dual equal phase shifting (DEPS) system - both intake and exhaust cams are phase shifted and equally advanced or retarded.
• Dual independent phase shifting (DIPS) system - where both the intake and exhaust cams are shifted independently.

All systems have 4 operational modes: idle, part throttle, wide open throttle (WOT), and default mode. At idle and low engine speeds with closed throttle, the powertrain control module (PCM) determines the phase angle based on air flow, engine oil temperature and engine coolant temperature. At part and wide open throttle the PCM determines the phase angle based on engine RPM, load, and throttle position. VCT systems provide reduced emissions and enhanced engine power, fuel economy and idle quality. IPS systems also have the added benefit of improved torque. In addition, some VCT system applications can eliminate the need for an external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. The elimination of the EGR system is accomplished by controlling the overlap time between the intake valve opening and exhaust valve closing. Currently, both the IPS and DEPS systems are used.
Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) System
The VCT system consists of an electric hydraulic positioning control solenoid, a camshaft position (CMP) sensor, and a trigger wheel. The CMP trigger wheel has a number of equally spaced teeth equal to the number (n) of cylinders on a bank plus one extra tooth (n+1). Four cylinder and V8 engines use a CMP 4+1 tooth trigger wheel. V6 engines use a CMP 3+1 tooth trigger wheel. The extra tooth placed between the equally spaced teeth represents the CMP signal for that bank. A crankshaft position sensor (CKP) provides the PCM with crankshaft positioning information in 10 degree increments.

1. The PCM receives input signals from the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor, engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor, engine oil temperature (EOT) sensor, CMP, throttle position (TP) sensor, mass air flow (MAF) sensor, and CKP to determine the operating conditions of the engine. At idle and low engine speeds with closed throttle, the PCM controls the camshaft position based on ECT, EOT, IAT, and MAF. During part and wide open throttle, the camshaft position is determined by engine RPM, load and throttle position. The VCT system does not operate until the engine is at normal operating temperature.

1. The VCT system is enabled by the PCM when the correct conditions are met.

1. The CKP signal is used as a reference for CMP positioning.

1. The VCT solenoid valve is an integral part of the VCT system. The solenoid valve controls the flow of engine oil in the VCT actuator assembly. As the PCM controls the duty cycle of the solenoid valve, oil pressure/flow advances or retards the cam timing. Duty cycles near 0% or 100% represent rapid movement of the camshaft. Retaining a fixed camshaft position is accomplished by dithering (oscillating) the solenoid valve duty cycle.
   
   The PCM calculates and determines the desired camshaft position. It continually updates the VCT solenoid duty cycle until the desired position is achieved. A difference between the desired and actual camshaft position represents a position error in the PCM VCT control loop. The PCM disables the VCT and places the camshaft in a default position if a concern is detected. A related DTC is also set when the concern is detected.

1. When the VCT solenoid is energized, engine oil is allowed to flow to the VCT actuator assembly which advances or retards the camshaft timing. One half of the VCT actuator is coupled to the camshaft and the other half is connected to the timing chain. Oil chambers between the 2 halves couple the camshaft to the timing chain. When the flow of oil is shifted from one side of the chamber to the other, the differential change in oil pressure forces the camshaft to rotate in either an advance or retard position depending on the oil flow.

without knowing the maker of your car

po1318
most common cause to throw that code
Cam timing improperly set -
Continuous oil flow to the VCT piston chamber -
VCT solenoid valve stuck open -
Camshaft advance mechanism binding (VCT unit).

Read more: http://www.autocodes.com/p1383_ford.html

would start at the variable cam timing sensors top of the engine
one for intake side and one for exhaust side

if starved of oil or fail will give that code

is for any engine with VVTI cam timing system
ford and others and almost every FWD .Japanese engine

ANY CODES?COULD BE MODULE.

THis explains it:
VCT Solenoid

I ASSUME that this has the 2.4L ecotech 4 cylinder engine?? If so the vct solenoids (variable cam timing) are mounted between the intake and exhaust cams through holes in the valve cover near the timing chain end of the engine (front). The exhaust vct solenoid will be on the exhaust side of the cylinder head.

Hi there:A code P0012 refers to the VVT (Variable Valve Timing) or VCT (Variable Camshaft Timing) components and the car's PCM (Powertrain Control Module, also called an ECM).
That consists of a few different components but the P0012 DTC specifically refers to the camshaft (cam) timing. In this case, if the cam timing is over-********, the engine light will be illluminated and the code will be set. The "A" camshaft is either the intake, left, or front camshaft.

A P0012 DTC trouble code may be caused by one or more of the following:

- Incorrect camshaft timing

- Wiring problems (harness/wiring) in intake timing control valve control solenoid system

- Continuous oil flow to VCT piston chamber

- Failed timing valve control solenoid (stuck open)

On Ford, the VCT solenoid is located at top of cylinder head underneath the valve cover and goes around one camshaft. You will need to remove the valve cover, the timing cover, then remove the timing belt, the camshaft sprockets, and finally the camshafts to remove the vct solenoid as it goes around the camshaft. You can use 2001-2003 models with same engine.

VCT or Variable Cam Timing solenoid is a device used in modern engines to change camshaft position timing in relevance to engine speed and engine timing allowing the engine to produce more horsepower without adding excessive overlap to the camshaft design.

The way the VCT Solenoid works is as follows:
The VCT solenoid works with oil pressure, it receives a signal from the ECM when the camshaft needs to be rotated either in the advanced mode or ******** mode depending on engine load and speed.The VCT solenoid is able to accomplish that by altering the oil flow in the passages that lead to the cam phaser(s), there are passages to advance the valve timing ( open the valves earlier), and passages that direct the oil to ****** the valve timing ( open them later)

The purpose of the VCT or Variable Cam Timing system is to allow the engine to move larger volumes of air in and out of the cylinders to generate maximum horsepower.
Vehicles with DOHC ( Dual Overhead Cam ) engines usually have two VCT solenoids mounted in each cylinder head, one for each camshaft, allowing the Engine Control Computer to activate each VCT timing mechanism in each Camshaft separately.
NOTE: The Cam phaser is mounted on the front of the camshaft(s) it is driven by the engine's timing chain or timing belt depending on the engine's design.

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The VCT solenoid is located under the valve cover toward the front. There are a total of two solenoids, one on each bank (side). If you look at the valve cover you will see a harness and connector going to the solenoid with the top of the solenoid sticking through the valve cover. Remove the valve cover for the affected side, place a shop rag at the timing chain area to keep debris or bolts from falling in. Unfasten the solenoid and simply pull it straight out. Replace the solenoid, remove the rag and reinstall the cover. Be sure to remove the rag :o)

That being said, the main cause of VCT codes or a noise from the VCT is caused by the camshaft phaser. This is the mechanical part of the VCT system and mounts to the front of the camshaft. It operates by oil pressure that is controlled by computer signals to the solenoid.

If the solenoid is sticking, I've had luck taking a 12 volt power source and applying power and ground to the two pins at the solenoid, touching the terminals a few times. This sometimes frees the solenoid and brings the vehicle back to normal cam timing. A fresh oil change with a factory motorcraft filter will help keep the system clean and free from VCT concerns.

Some aftermarket oil filters will start to come apart, sending paper into the oil channels. This affects the oil pressure, the very pressure that the VCT system needs to work. I hope this info helps. If for any reason you can't give four thumbs up, please request more information. Good luck!

Code P0012 - Variable Camshaft Timing Over Retarded - Bank 1

How does a P0012 code trigger the check engine light? This code will trigger the check engine light under the following condition:
* The comprehensive component monitor, referred to as the CCM, monitors the Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) position for over-retarded cam timing. If the cam timing exceeds a maximum calibrated limit or is stuck in a retarded position, the check engine light will come on and set this trouble code.

Possible Causes:
Incorrect camshaft timing
VCT solenoid valve stuck open or continuous oil flow to piston chamber
Camshaft advance mechanism binding, or faulty VCT unit

Diagnostic Help:
This check engine light code is caused by a mechanical fault of the VCT unit or related components, so there is no need for electrical diagnosis. Possible symptoms may include rough idle, stall or hard start. Refer to manufacturer specific component tests for the VCT unit. You may also use the "Get Help" link if you need specifications or have any other related questions. Remember to refer to an appropriate manual for specific instructions.

Other details mentioned a P0012 DTC trouble code may be caused by one or more of the following:
* Incorrect camshaft timing
* Wiring problems (harness/wiring) in intake timing control valve control solenoid system
* Continuous oil flow to VCT piston chamber
* Failed timing valve control solenoid (stuck open)

Possible Solutions:
The main thing to check is to verify the operation of the VCT solenoid. You're looking for a sticking or stuck VCt solenoid valve caused by contamination. Refer to vehicle specific repair manual to perform component tests for the VCT unit. Notes: Dealer techs have advanced tools and the ability to follow detailed troubleshooting steps, including the ability to test components using a scan tool.

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