Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Hydraulic Variable Valve Timing Control System Operation Inspection
When idling cannot be continued
- Connect the M-MDS to the DLC-2 and verify that DTC P2090:00 or P2091:00 is displayed. (See ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC TEST
.)
- Perform the DTC inspection. (See DTC P2090:00 .) (See DTC P2091:00 .)
- Remove the OCV and verify that the spool valve is at maximum advanced position. (See OIL CONTROL VALVE (OCV) REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Connect the OCV connector.
- Switch the ignition ON (engine off).
- Verify that the spool valve is at the maximum advanced position.
- If the spool valve is stuck in the retard direction, inspect for the following:
- Short circuit in wiring harnesses or connectors between OCV and PCM
- If the spool valve is stuck in the retard direction, inspect for the following:
- Inspect the hydraulic variable valve timing actuator. (See HYDRAULIC VARIABLE VALVE TIMING ACTUATOR INSPECTION .)
When idling can be continued
- Disconnect the OCV connector. (See OIL CONTROL VALVE (OCV) REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
- Warm up the engine and idle it.
- Apply the battery voltage to the OCV and verify that the engine idles rough or stalls.
- If the engine idles rough or stalls, inspect the timing chain component (valve timing deviation). (See HYDRAULIC VARIABLE VALVE TIMING ACTUATOR INSPECTION .)
- If the engine does not idle rough or stalls, go to the next step.
- Remove the OCV and perform the Spool Valve Operation Inspection. (See OIL CONTROL VALVE (OCV) INSPECTION
.)
- If not as specified, inspect the following:
- OCV (See OIL CONTROL VALVE (OCV) INSPECTION .)
- Harnesses and connectors between OCV and PCM have an open or short circuit
- If as specified, inspect the following hydraulic passages for restriction or leakage or both:
- Oil pressure switch-OCV
- OCV-Camshaft
- Camshaft internal passage
- If not as specified, inspect the following:
- If they are normal, replace the hydraulic variable valve timing actuator. (See ELECTRIC VARIABLE VALVE TIMING ACTUATOR, HYDRAULIC VARIABLE VALVE TIMING ACTUATOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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