Ecoboost Performance Forum

Ecoboost Performance => Troubleshooting, Maintenance, TSB Articles => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: mbehna on March 30, 2014, 02:51:28 AM

Title: P0020 DTC
Post by: mbehna on March 30, 2014, 02:51:28 AM
Went for a drive yesterday and my 2014 SHO lit up the check engine light. Of course, I used the LMS tuner to read the code and it was P0020. Googled it, went back to stock tune and baby'ed my car back home.


Today, I took it to the dealer and they had to keep it over the weekend because they could not get it to it in time. The car has less than 7k miles on it.


Hopefully, I get good news on Monday.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: SHOdded on March 30, 2014, 05:28:20 AM
Good luck!  Hopefully just a sensor or solenoid, and nothing mechanical.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: mbehna on April 02, 2014, 09:22:50 PM

Car is still @ dealer and they called me to say that the diagnostics are inconclusive.


So I researched it the code and according to the http://www.fordobdcode.com/p0020-ford (http://www.fordobdcode.com/p0020-ford) web site

P0020 - "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 2)



OBD Trouble Code P0020 "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit
What does the code mean? OBD-II Code P0020 definition:
A P0020 code definition:the VVT (variable valve timing) or VCT (variable camshaft timing) components and the car's PCM (powertrain control module). That consists of an oil control valve (OCV), also called a solenoid valve and other components. Basically the check engine light and associated P0020 trouble code means that the voltage in the circuit has fallen below a set limit for a specific amount of time (varies by make/model/engine). Bank 2 is the side of the engine that doesn't contain cylinder #1. Note: This DTC is nearly identical to P0010
Symptoms of OBD code P0020
Check Engine Light illuminated (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) Rough running other symptoms may also be present
Causes of the OBD-II code P0020
A code P0020 may mean that one or more of the following has happened: Faulty oil control valve (OCV) Open or short in the VVT/VCT circuit Open or short in the OCV / solenoid valve Damaged computer (PCM)
Solutions Some recommended troubleshooting and repair steps are: Carefully inspect the Bank 2 VVT/VCT system circuit wiring and connectors, repair as required with a warm engine, test the operation of the OCV, replace/repair as needed
Related Codes P0010 P0011 P0012 P0021 P0022
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: crash712us on April 02, 2014, 09:46:55 PM
The actuators have been a problem in other for engines, my wife's escape they went bad in and is well know problem TSB for them also.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: MeanKS on April 11, 2014, 08:43:54 AM
hopefully the dealer won't give you any trouble regarding the reflash back to stock tune.

Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: Needmoreboost on April 11, 2014, 08:49:56 AM
The dealer should fix any problems under warranty coverage.  Good luck.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: BiGMaC on April 11, 2014, 08:59:45 AM
Quote from: DRII on April 11, 2014, 08:43:54 AM
hopefully the dealer won't give you any trouble regarding the reflash back to stock tune.

It might end up a discussion point... but likely only if Ford corporate field engineers get involved.  routine OBDII screening can only tell when and how many time the port was accessed.... I have told my dealer that I routinely do so with my MX and that any autozone will do it... as well as many gauges and programs (like torque) on the market.    Even then I would also argue that the TSB is there proving Ford is aware of this as a possible known manufacturing defect present at assembly antedating any tune... e.g., that the tune is not the cause.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: mbehna on April 11, 2014, 03:24:44 PM
It took a week but I finally got my car back and the dealer did ask about whether I had a tuner... I said no! I had reflashed it to stock before turning it in.


They tested all the components and everything was fine. They reset the PCM and it is driving fine now.


I will wait another week before I put the LMS tunes back.


If someone knows what TSB # is associated with the actuators, I would be most grateful. Might need that info in case it comes back.



Title: Re: P0020 DTC - Continuing Saga
Post by: mbehna on April 22, 2014, 02:50:38 PM
After a week at the dealership, I got the car back.
Drove it around for ~350 miles and everything was fine. 
Was ~50 miles from home when the check engine light came on. Pulled the DTC and it is the same as before P0020.
Drove it to the dealership late in the day and they said bring it back in the morning. Drove off the lot, and less than 3 miles later, the check engine light went off.
Drove around for ~100 miles, light was off.
This morning, I am driving to work and the light is back on.


So it is going back to the dealer... I am thinking that the solenoid has gone bad or is defective.


Updates will follow when I know more.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC - Latest UPdate
Post by: mbehna on April 29, 2014, 11:53:08 AM
I got my "baby" back yesterday from the dealership.


The problem in a nutshell: a loose pin in the wiring loom!!!
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: SHOdded on April 29, 2014, 12:00:24 PM
Glad that's all it was!  Bit early for wiring problems, but hey ...  Did they say exactly where it was?
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: mbehna on May 13, 2014, 02:56:40 PM
The pin in the plug was loose when the tech tugged at it, it just came out.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: FoMoCoSHO on October 30, 2015, 08:13:32 PM
I just had this code pop up tonight.

That will put a damper on my weekend datalogging/retune shenanigans.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: ZSHO on October 30, 2015, 08:58:57 PM
Quote from: FoMoCoSHO on October 30, 2015, 08:13:32 PM
I just had this code pop up tonight.

That will put a damper on my weekend datalogging/retune shenanigans.
Any symptoms beside the code,rough idle,hesitation.  Z
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: FoMoCoSHO on October 30, 2015, 09:00:35 PM
Quote from: ZSHO on October 30, 2015, 08:58:57 PM
Quote from: FoMoCoSHO on October 30, 2015, 08:13:32 PM
I just had this code pop up tonight.

That will put a damper on my weekend datalogging/retune shenanigans.
Any symptoms beside the code,rough idle,hesitation.  Z
Nope, running fine and no parameters showing anything amiss.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: ZSHO on October 30, 2015, 09:37:01 PM
Quote from: FoMoCoSHO on October 30, 2015, 09:00:35 PM
Quote from: ZSHO on October 30, 2015, 08:58:57 PM
Quote from: FoMoCoSHO on October 30, 2015, 08:13:32 PM
I just had this code pop up tonight.

That will put a damper on my weekend datalogging/retune shenanigans.
Any symptoms beside the code,rough idle,hesitation.  Z
Nope, running fine and no parameters showing anything amiss.
It sure is upsetting to say the least,sounds like a variable cam timing issue in bank 2,cylinder 1, was curious what grade oil you were using on your experiment,just a thought and best of luck.  Z
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: mbehna on October 31, 2015, 10:09:59 AM
Eventually, the dealer diagnosed that my #2& #5 injectors had gone bad and they were replaced under warranty. I am assuming that they are the middle cylinder injector for each of the banks.


I was kind of surprised giving the low mileage ( < 18000 miles ) I have on my car.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: glock-coma on October 31, 2015, 10:52:34 AM
Quote from: mbehna on October 31, 2015, 10:09:59 AM
Eventually, the dealer diagnosed that my #2& #5 injectors had gone bad and they were replaced under warranty. I am assuming that they are the middle cylinder injector for each of the banks.


I was kind of surprised giving the low mileage ( < 18000 miles ) I have on my car.
So it wasn't the loose pin in the harness?
Did the light/code come back at a later date?

Sent from my ME173X using Tapatalk

Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: CroR1 on October 31, 2015, 11:22:26 AM
What is up with these fuel injectors failing on these ecoboost Ford cars? Where the heck did the Ford source these injectors, I have never heard off any manufacturer having a such bad failing rate on the FIs... They oughtta recall all these and put a reputable brand on there that will last.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: SHOdded on October 31, 2015, 11:27:29 AM
I guess Ford is learning their way into DI, and they are locked into a production cycle with their supplier.  What I WOULD like to see is more ready diagnostics of the FIs when the vehicle goes in for service, and replacement stock at the ready.  Gas tanks with the Edge and Fuel injectors with the SHOs :(

Don't know if the Flex/XSport etc. also have similar issues.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: FoMoCoSHO on October 31, 2015, 11:29:32 AM
These are Bosch injectors and they pretty much pioneered DI.

They are in focus's, F150's, SHO's, Sports, etc, and that's just one manufacturer.

I'm not sure the sampling size here is indicative of a defect.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: SHOdded on October 31, 2015, 11:34:04 AM
Maybe they should lower the defect recognition threshold on the injectors used in boosted DI vehicles?
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: Joleat on December 29, 2015, 05:46:11 PM
I hate to revive an old thread, but I've been battling a P0020 code for the last couple of months. It's an on again-off again issue. I may drive with it on for 50 miles and then with it off for 300 miles. I initially read this thread when it first occurred and thought my issue could also be a loose pin, but the connector on the VCT solenoid side appears to be fine. There are only two wires and neither of them are loose. Today, I finally became frustrated enough to give it another look. I read the code with my X4 and now it's throwing a P0020 and a P0022. The car idles perfectly and doesn't experience any drivability issues, but I'd like to resolve this.

Does anyone have a wiring diagram of the bank 2 circuit? I hope this doesn't come to actually replacing the solenoid. At a glance, it looks like that will require removal of the valve cover.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: Scott4957 on December 29, 2015, 08:27:42 PM
Quote from: Joleat on December 29, 2015, 05:46:11 PM
I hate to revive an old thread, but I've been battling a P0020 code for the last couple of months. It's an on again-off again issue. I may drive with it on for 50 miles and then with it off for 300 miles. I initially read this thread when it first occurred and thought my issue could also be a loose pin, but the connector on the VCT solenoid side appears to be fine. There are only two wires and neither of them are loose. Today, I finally became frustrated enough to give it another look. I read the code with my X4 and now it's throwing a P0020 and a P0022. The car idles perfectly and doesn't experience any drivability issues, but I'd like to resolve this.

Does anyone have a wiring diagram of the bank 2 circuit? I hope this doesn't come to actually replacing the solenoid. At a glance, it looks like that will require removal of the valve cover.

It looks like the OP's problem ended up being a couple FI's. Not sure why it throws that code but its something to look at.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: Joleat on December 29, 2015, 08:39:20 PM
Thanks Scott. I accidentally posted in the wrong P0020 thread. That's what I get for reading on my phone. There is another thread floating around here that details a wire chaffing issue that occurs near the battery box/radiator hose and the result is a P0020 code. While I haven't ruled out any causes at this point, the chaffed wire does make sense since I replaced my battery in late Summer. I think I just need to start removing parts to see what I can find. This is a bummer...
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: ZSHO on December 29, 2015, 09:01:10 PM
Joeleat think the sensor is located near the upper radiator hose,here's the thread,hope this helps any.  Z        http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,5280.0.html (http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,5280.0.html)
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: FoMoCoSHO on December 29, 2015, 09:07:39 PM
Mine ended up being the pigtail.

If you have Torque, fire up vct commanded, actual, vct error.

When it happens you will see actual stop responding and vct error will match commanded.

They made a change from cable loom to a piece of tape on top of the pigtail for strain relief. Whoever assembled it didn't understand what strain relief meant so instead of a loop, they pulled it excessively tight through the tape and ruined the pigtail.
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: ZSHO on December 29, 2015, 10:09:19 PM
FoMoCoSHO is correct,new pigtail/terminal.  Z
Title: Re: P0020 DTC
Post by: Joleat on December 29, 2015, 10:19:13 PM
Thanks guys! I appreciate the insight. We're expecting a lot of rain tomorrow, but I should be able to dig into it later this week. I'll report back with what I find.
EhPortal 1.39.5 © 2025, WebDev