Ford first launched their ‘Modular’ V8-engine family to the F-150 when the tenth-generation model of this ultra-popular full-sized truck arrived for the 1997 model yr. These had been early (two-valve) iterations of the model new engine family, nonetheless, and on no account featured among the many performance-enhancing choices which could later appear on the Modular V8.
It was solely when the third-generation model arrived in 2004 that the three-valve variant of this engine turned obtainable for the 5.4-liter F-150, whereas the three-valve 4.6-liter wanted to attend until the 2007 model yr. These three-valve V8s all operate variable camshaft timing for improved effectivity, nonetheless they’ve a recognized weak spot of their camshaft place sensing {{hardware}}.
What Does The P0012 Error Code Suggest On A Ford F-150?
An illuminated Study Engine Delicate (CEL) will warn you to an error in a three-valve F-150’s administration system, and if the Engine Administration Unit is queried by the use of an OBD-II scanning instrument, it is doable you may uncover the P0012 or P0022 error codes inside the diagnostic system memory. This implies a difficulty with the variable camshaft timing (VCT) system and can degree in course of a faulty camshaft place sensor, an issue with the wiring harness, or defective camshaft adjustment solenoids. P0012 refers again to the motive force’s side consumption camshaft, and P0022 refers again to the passenger-side consumption cam.
This appears to be most prevalent in 5.4-liter F-150s in-built 2004 and 2005, nonetheless can appear on any F-150 with the Modular V8 constructed until the highest of the twelfth period’s run in 2014. Some 2015 and 2016 Ford F-150s with the Coyote 5.0-liter engine (as a result of the four-valve Modular engine was renamed following a group of in depth revisions) moreover current this fault, nonetheless it appears to be unusual in these uprated V8s. This error may be very prevalent on F-150s with the three.7 Ti-VCT engine, along with all generations of V6 EcoBoost engine.
What Causes The P0012 Error Code On the F-150?
There are a selection of causes for a P0012 error code on a Ford F-150:
- The engine oil is also low, dirty, or of the flawed viscosity
- There is also a difficulty with the VCT solenoid wiring harness
- The engine’s timing is also off, which may end up in a camshaft place sensor output signal being out of synchronization with the crankshaft place
- A defective camshaft place actuator will set off the Ford F-150 P0012 error as properly, on account of the camshaft timing doesn’t change in response to specs
Indicators Which Would possibly Accompany The P0012 Error Code On A Ford F-150
Throughout the event of your Ford F-150 exhibiting a P0012 error code, it is doable you may uncover one other indicators as properly:
- Powerful or uneven idle top quality or fluctuating idle velocity
- Powerful starting
- Decreased engine effectivity, significantly all through big throttle features inside the mid-range
- Excessive gasoline consumption
- A flashing CEL
What Should I Do When Error Code P0012 Appears On A Ford F150?
Uncover the rationale for the error as shortly as potential. Whereas the P0012 error code by itself won’t carry your F-150 to a grinding halt, it would level out bigger points, and ignoring it would set off interior harm to the engine. In case you might be utterly certain that the error was registered as a consequence of a faulty camshaft actuator solenoid or a difficulty with its wiring harness, the potential for further harm is slim, however when it was introduced on by a timing chain issue or poor oil state of affairs, the automotive needs to be stopped as shortly as potential.
Can I Drive With This Concern?
You presumably can, nonetheless you perhaps shouldn’t. Till you are utterly optimistic that the problem lies with a faulty camshaft adjustment actuator or its wiring connections, you’ll be best instructed to tug over and await a tow truck. If this is not potential, proceed residence or to a workshop using minimal throttle openings and avoiding extreme engine speeds.
How To Restore A P0012 Error Code On A Ford F-150
There are a selection of how one can restore the P0012 error code on a Ford F-150, counting on the rationale for the error code. Adjust to these pointers to deal with the Ford F-150 P0012 error::
- Study if the engine’s oil diploma is low, the oil is dirty, or the engine oil is of an inappropriate viscosity rating. The first decision could possibly be to hold out an oil change using OEM-specified engine oil and a model new oil filter if that’s the case. In numerous situations, this will resolve the problem, however when the earlier engine oil is intently contaminated, it is doable you may must flush the engine’s lubrication system sooner than filling it with new oil.
- If this doesn’t resolve the issue, study the wiring harness ensuing within the associated VCT solenoid for harm, and study the wiring harness going to the camshaft place sensor as properly. The insulation on these wires develop to be brittle with age and as a consequence of fastened publicity to heat and vibration, which could end in open- or fast circuits on each the solenoid side or near the camshaft place sensors.
- Engine timing points are moreover pretty seemingly, provided that the Modular three-valve, Coyote V8, V6 Ti-VCT, and EcoBoost engines all have documented histories of premature cam-chain tensioner failure. If the P0012 or P0022 error is accompanied by a rattling noise from the engine upon chilly start, it’s just about assured that the timing chain tensioners or guides have failed, and the automotive should not be pushed the least bit until this disadvantage has been addressed.
- The camshaft actuator solenoids are moreover susceptible to failure, which is able to even set off the P0022 or P0012 error codes in your F-150. On this case, the automotive stays to be safe to drive, nonetheless it won’t perform as a result of it should. This restore features a straightforward remove-and-replace operation of the actuator solenoid unit (located near the doorway of the cylinder head), nonetheless it does require significantly specialised devices, and there is a very precise hazard of dropping a sort of devices into the engine whereas placing in a various solenoid. For these causes, we recommend having an professional substitute a defective camshaft actuator solenoid.
How Lots Does It Worth To Restore?
If this error in your Ford F-150 is introduced on by dirty oil or a low engine oil diploma, an oil change tools (good-quality full-synthetic oil and a reputable-brand filter) will set you once more between $120 and $150, excluding labor prices. Nonetheless, in case your Ford F-150’s P0012 error code is expounded to engine timing being out of order, a various timing chain tools, along with tensioners and guides will worth spherical $400, with about $500 in labor. An OEM VCT solenoid for a V8 three-valve will worth about $60 per monetary establishment, with about an hour’s labor to have it fitted at a workshop.