So, I got a code P054A on my car. The Ford dealer said the Variable Cam Timing (VCT) was unstable, probably because it was clogged. They suggested I change the oil a few times and drive a lot to see if that would fix it. I did what they said—changed the oil a few times and drove several thousand miles. Now the dealer says everything is working fine, but the code is still there. So, my question is, how long does it take for a “permanent” code to go away on its own? It can’t be cleared with a scanner.
A P054A code usually indicates a problem with the Variable Cam Timing (VCT) system.