Boost Vacuum Solenoid, P003A 91 Trouble Code, Ford Mondeo Mk4 2L Diesel 

Pop the black plastic cap off that solenoid, under it you'll find a cylinder shaped small foam air filter, check it for dirt, when that filter gets clogged, the vacuum generating ability of the solenoid becomes hampered

Thank you, these video's are worth a lot to us Ford/Mondeo owners!!!

I have a Mondeo MK4 140 HP from 2011 with around 95000 km . I changed the vacuum around 73000 km in 2018. I had the same exact errors and the dealer wanted to change my turbo said that it's worn off. Good thing that I've googled that through some UK websites which they had the same issue and the fix cost me around 80 euros. This car relaxes me so much that it makes me to keep it forever.

Changed the Boost vaccum solenoid mentioned and the car was ok again. For a while, about 6 months. Then the same kind of error occured. Took me along time to figure out why. I thought that the turbo vane was stuck. The problem was that the other solenoid for EGR leaked so much that the the Boost vaccum solenoid did not functioned. Solved the EGR solenoid temporarly with WD40 in the vaccum inlet and outlet. Probably a sealing inside the solenoids that dried out and leaked. Very easy to check the solenoids valves for leaks with a large syringe to pull vacuum on the valve. Even whith the valve still in the car.

Just bought one of these cars, you're you're godsend it happened when I got home and got worried as literally bought today. Thank you!!

They love to split hoses and pipes these cars, suprised it wasn't the pipe when you mentioned it lol. Cracking vid as always 👌

I had a similar issue on a Mondeo, I looped the two ends got the actuator rod moving, so I knew where the problem was then, and thanks to Monica in the office, made my night.

Great information but the trousers Monika was wearing literally had me distracted throughout the whole video 😅

I had a similar issue with those on a focus a friend to me to dismantle the solenoid as there is a filter inside I clean the filter and believe me it was ok afterward.

You must have saved your viewers thousands mate, Funny and factual luv it.

The 2 brown vacuumvalves runs the turbo and the throttle plate. Not the egr. Just a heads up🙂

Great video Alan, great tips , like you say many will run and get a new turbo , get a vacuum gauge kit off flea bay , less than 20 quid for testing

Another excellent video Alan, I have changed this valve on my car, not for the reason you had, but when I switched the car off, as I walked away I’d get a farting noise from this valve. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Changed the valve, it’s been fine since, just the “pulsing “ it does during shutdown Keep up the good work mate, some excellent footage of the lovely Monica

Hi Alan , im not sure you'll see this comment im hoping you do , i bought a mondeo st tdci 07 plate 4 weeks ago with fsh and fantastic condition drove fantastic lots of power good mpg , i drove it back from coventry 200 miles no problems at all . 2 weeks ago i went to a very respected re-mapper local to me and had an economy map put on the ECU which took it to 185bhp and 10% roughly more mpg . It was running amazing averaging 51 mpg and the torque and power were brilliant. a week ago i was cruising on a dual cariage way and the car juddered as if it ran out of fuel and i had no power so i pulled into a layby lucky for me and the car was dead - no fuel at all to the injectors , i cracked them in the layby with my mate the pipes were dry !! So i towed it home and did a diagnostic and it showed the fuel regulator so i changed this for a delphi matching numbers ( bought off a trusted seller on ebay ) as this is a common fault apparently . I changed the fuel filter for a delphi , not sure what old one was on it and primed it and it wouldn't start . Hmmmm ok i thought get the OBD out again... So now i have high pressure fault on rail sensor and on the regulator i just changed..... and when i opened one of the injector fuel nuts under pressure like you did on that mk 5 mondeo fuel sprayed everywhere. Atm i have dropped the car off to a diesel specialist who said they are a pain to start after something like this and you sometimes have to tow them , i have bled every fuel line to get any air out , car wont start.... I went back to the re-mapper and asked him would that map which he has used on 1000's of cars have caused this and he says no... So i bought a new rail pressure sensor to be fitted and am waiting for the diesel specialist to call me tomorrow to tell me whats wrong... Paranoid its my injectors but like you said it didn't run rough it just shut off no fuel....so the injectors must be good......now im thinking has the pump failed..no i have too much pressure.....so if he comes back to me tomorrow and says he cant start it im thinking it must be that ECU remap... Sorry it's long winded and i hope u read it and give me your thoughts.....i'd be gutted if its knackered as i saved a while to get it one of the last 07 blue st tdci mondys and its immaculate too... Tomorow is d day...fingers x Regards Gavin

I've just had mine act up. I was getting turbo lag, less power and more frequent regens. I cleaned that sponge filter inside unplugged and plugged it back, don't know if that did anything, and car runs perfectly fine after. What the heck...I'll probably change it still to be safe, but cleaning that filter seemed to have worked for now. Mine did not have any errors....yet.

Been there. I had one solenoid fail on my 1.6tdci Focus, 2008 engine. I had problem during DPF regenerations. When they started, car started to judder (solenoid was not responsive enough). A Ford garage wanted to sell me a new turbo and new DPF. Fortunately I got some help from Ford UK forum, where they steered me to this solenoid. But I agree, it was a pain to find the problem.

Thanks man, another great video. And my kuga flies again.

Make me smile And made me love Mondeo...

Hi Alan...did have a MK4 mondeo...now have a Insignia, had the same thing wrong with that...the exact same as the Ford...even to the "service vehicle soon " a turbo boost valve later £25 0ff Ebay and fixed it....keep up the good work.

Had it going on mine. Not throwing a code yet, but at times it would just bog down in 1st and 2nd gear, or have turbo lag. And when it was doing a regen it was dead, very low on power. It felt like turbo issue, but no boost leaks. Then thought I just start with the easiest and cheapest part, that solenoid. And jackpot, car drove better than ever, it was probably on it's way out for a wile and I got used to it like that.

Never seen Monika over exposed lol :)

How about a video about the battery, after a service at a Ford dealer I was told that my battery was .3 volts down, recently I have noticed a slight difference in the auto stop/start behavior on short runs. I understand that things such as the screen heat stop working as the battery gets older. Personally I wait until it it is a little sluggish to start in cold weather :)

I had the Turbo changed on my 2009 S-Max in April, still having boost code P003A now. Guessing it'll probably be the Boost Control Solenoid!

Wish I'd seen this earlier, I had a string of issues on an 08 MK4, all started from a stuck CC switch which had never been used in 7 years, I got the car and within 30 miles of using it, limp mode. Easy fix, but that left those codes and worse it was still dropping in to limp. Checked that solenoid and hoses for leaks, use a vacuum pump on the vain and replaced the vain position sensor on the top of the turbo, had the floor up, checking the wiring to everything, CAN BCM, PCM, IC, you name it. Tested, or replaced just about everything, EXCEPT replacing that solenoid Kind feel a bit of an idiot for not replacing it earlier now!

If you need to replace a solenoid, never try the 1/3 price ebay parts.. They do not work.

Alan, phenomenal content as always. Always love when your vids come up in my sub feed. Quick q not directly related to this... My mk4 Mondeo bonnet won't lock down. Is this an issue you've come accross before? The bonnet catch still has spring tension so I suspect the cable is still in tact, but it just won't latch down fully; just onto the safety catch. Any ideas greatly appreciated 👍🏻

Can somebody tell me what is a proper level of vacum on output of this solenoid N75 on idle. I see I have 30 ( [Hg] something ) vacum of input and 15 on output. My geametry stops for a while in the middle on startup. Just wonder if this N75 works properly. Is there any way how to test it better. Alan Howatt great video thanks for sharing!

Hi new friend from srilanka...i like you funny & technical videos...

Alan you need a mityvac about £60. See a lot of solenoid is sure on psa group. Ps love you RU-vid videos.

Im not looking at the trousers Alan.

Perfect video, as always....could you please list the part number for that solenoid? My 2009 mk4 has them both brown....so I'm confused. Thanx

Ahhh the friends and family jobs. I refuse to do them 😄

just had to change this on my 2010 s-max. used to throw up this error under acceleration after getting warm, new vacuum solenoid problem solved

Speaking of solenoid how many people have had dpfs. Replaced because of the pressure solenoid or split pipes on no Mondeo s/max etc

It's always the small parts that can be the biggest pain in the backside! Never knew mk4s gave gearbox trouble, or maybe it's around town taxi work that takes it's toll,lot of 3rd gear driving?

Great video exactly the problem I got how much is the new part

Alan you are a star!

You can open that shit and clean all the parts. i cleaned mine today and works like new

Great video Alan, do you recall what the Ford number is for the black solenoid controling the EGR valve? And what was the problem with the car before replacing it?

Just cleaned the filters, I didn't need to take off the cap for the filter is on top I have the 2012 tdci 2.0 focus. My engine fan comes on but doesn't over heat but my car doesn't boost until 2.5 - 3rpm any ideas guys. It feels gutless sometimes. Fan goes off and its boosts lovely.

Hi Alan, I've got a bit of a mystery on a 2.0 duratorq engine on my volvo v50 (d40204t) engine sounds good, idles lovely, when you drive it, get to 1600 rpm it's like the brakes pull on, no power and black smoke, i suspect turbo, I've gone through all vac system and the sensor on the wastegate actuator, all working, replaced the vac solenoids just incase, i get no fault codes on my icarsoft diagnostic scanner, it's a 58 plate, fuel economy is rubbish as it's just chucking out diesel when pushed beyond 16/1700 revs, I've looked for leaks on intake/charge pipes, it's done 140k but no real funny noises, you can sit and rev it up and it sounds good, but short of pulling of and fitting a new turbo I'm running out of ideas, i have had a no turbo control fault code 2 or 3 times before hence changing solenoids, nothing since, stumped, any ideas? Would appreciate another persons thoughts, thankyou 👍👍

Very helpful video

Good morning Alan i hope you are fine I have an issue with my 2010 ford c max 1.8 tdci (199250 Km) i was crusing in highway at 120 km/h around 1 hour and i decided to reduce speed (highway toll) when suddnly the car stall at third gear (reducing speed directly from 5 gear to the third one) with no warning no check engine light the car start after three attempts (long crancking) drives fine the probleme happened again but this time with no start (crusing at 140km/h and reducing speed to 40 (highway exit) ) after around 45 min (i was waiting for the towing truck ) the car start straightway (engine cooled down) drives fine until the engine get hot at that time the issue happens randomly .I just i want to add that i did a full service to the car 1200km ago (oil and oil filter , fuel filter, air filter, lower and upper belt, V belt, the water pump and the coolant). During this trip the colant temperature has never exceeded 88C. if you have any clue related to my issue that would be great Thanks Alan

hi alan i have ford mondeo mk5 1.5tdci i have problem some times car is very weak power and some day is good its drive for example 2 days ok and next day i start engine no power no engine light and vacuum soleniod behand the engine not moving so could be vacuum boost solenoid

Thanks for the information Alan. But how about if there is no fault code/codes ? My 2013 Kuga 163 hp 4x4 2.0 tdci having some issues. I replaced the solenoid after checked. It was leaking vacuum. It was ok after the replacement.But everything goes bad again. Plus diesel consumption is higher. Could you please advise anything about this issue?

Hi Alan we have a 2010 kuga same problem just after get a engine as last one broke a belt we have switch senor for old engine but no good still p003a

I had a Vauxhall Astra and I had the turbo go on mine and it cost me a fortune in turbo course in the end the car went to the scrap yard

I changed that on my 2010 galaxy. Still throwing up same code. I'm thinking actuator now...

Hello. I have one Ford Mondeo mk4 2.0 tdci 140hp Peugeot diesel engine with automatic powershift. In park at 1.5 rpm I get vibrations. 2rpm and higher it is gone. also 1rpm then this is gone. What is this vibration? powershift gearbox or diesel delivery problems to the engine or diesel particulate filter. Has anyone come across this on this type of car and has experience?

Do you have a video of the actuator operating correctly vs one operating slowly?

I have a Mondeo mk4 2.0 tdci. It turns over but won't start. Ive disconnected the fuel pipes which fee the high pressure fuel pump and no fuel comes out when i turn it over

strong shaking when starting and shutting down when the engine is hot. Could it be up to what you showed.?

hi just had this code come up p003a and oil service light at the same time both when away after I change the oil and filter so if you have a engine malfunction light come on and oil service at the same oil might of degraded .

Must be like blaming the the EGR on a mk3 for black smoke when the MAP sensor has one blob of crap on it :)

Great video Alan !

Would you be able to dismantle the solenoid you replaced and lubricate it a little? I do this for instance with Volkswagen door lock motors and it is a very cheap fix.

Is that the euro 5 engine? I have a 2013 euro 5 with the egr on the front. I am getting limp mode in a common situation. If I am up to speed on the road and slow down for a roundabout , go around and start getting up to speed, Bam, engine malfunction and limp mode. If I keep the power low and manually change gear at 2500 and take it east it can remain ok but still it can happen anyway. Not many videos on the later mark 4 with the E5 engine. At least I now know how to get the EGR off and dig through to the starter alternator and glow plugs. I opened the throttol bodt and EGR and the gears and motors are all good in them. Any advice on what vacuum I should expect from the vac pump? Breaks are good. I used to hear a ticking from something each time I shut the engine off, I assume thats the EGR exersizing its self. Car is on 100K and id like to get another 100K out of it so I will invest in a new turbo at some point but id like to check the minor parts first. I read 750 milibar on the MAP at sea level on a nice day without engine running so I replaced that. May do the air flow but I want to check what I should be looking at first. Any pointers would be great thanks, Do Haynes to an engine manual yet, or one for the powershift gearbox? Thanks

Hi Alan random question but what psi do the mk4 2.0 tdci boost to ?

Hi there can you show me on a video how to set the idle speed on a Ford Focus 2litre 2008 model Duratec motor

Hi Alan, great content as always! May I ask your two cents on what is the highest milage of the mk4 Mondeo with 2.0tdci you recommend to buy? Is there a specific milage when high pressure pump and injectors start failing?

I thought was watching this video on a different website at the start! haha

Thanks Alan

Hi Alan i'm sure you would love to do a video on this one, I keep getting a " Alarm system service required" notification on my dashboard.............. What............. do you have to service the Alarm system on a mk4 Mondeo??????????????????

Are you modestly suggesting that "Friends and Family" don't maintain their cars as well as the taxi companies do?

i got a problem like this but there no code there use to be code but not anymore i change solenoid valve but i still like hesitation while putting my foot down it boost but then you can feel it give up then randomly come back then goes again is there something else i need to check ? any help would help

I wonder how many people will take your advice and go and watch TPB?

My ford galaxy 2010 has two of them, they both look the same which one do I need to remove ??

Good connect Alan👌what is Monika's native tongue?Asking for a friend..

Hello Alan. I have encountered some problems last time I was out with my caravan. Got a Mondeo 2007 2L diesel. When going upphil long and steep. Suddenly I lose power. After a short brake with the engine running I can go again. Can't reproduce the problem without the caravan. It's a heavy one 4000lbs or 1.8 metric tons. Do you have any idea what it can be?

Good evening Alan, been reading everywhere and could not find similar problem, replaced turbo and p003A appears! No boost, wiring ok, old turbo was only replaced due to noise and oil leaks around it, new solenoid fitted, is that the sign of faulty actuator semsor ? Regards!

Having a p2598 error code. Had issues with alternator and changed it. Now getting this. Help pls

Alan thanks for all your great videos been a great help with many an issue ive had, question though, how the hell do you get the electrical connector removed, think mine might have been broken in the past, there is no release tab or anything i can find, it has a yellow bracket in the connector that just slides up and down but doesnt release the connector. any help would be gratefully received before i lose the plot and break it

Hi mate I have p06a7 still runs and drives but in limp mode There is no other codes present other than airbag which I know the problem What causes p06a7 its a 2010 mondeo 2.0 tdci

I used to have a Vauxhall Astra diesel and I had the turbo go in it I changed the core or of the turbo and then it went again it cost me £97 twice because it's brand new turbo was going to cost me £1,000 from Vauxhall dealer what the core itself only cost me just under £100 and I was told that the engine itself had a fault with the oil system in the end and the engine just gave up and the car won't bye-bye to the scrapyard because it wasn't worth repairing

Gracias Amigo.

Alan. I have this code P003A:85 but in newer engine T8MA 180HP, do you know where is this solenoid? I tried but I couldn't find it. I really appreciate your help.

I've got a problem whereby the car appears to 'hunt' around 1500 RPM. Car is fine cruising at 50, 60, 70mph and with throttle depressed to achieve these speeds. However, when you release the throttle to decelerate, as the revs reach 1500 RPM ish, the car 'kangaroos'. I've initially changed the transmission fluid and filter, needed doing anyway and thought it could've been gearbox related. Having carried out the fluid change, the problem is still apparent. I've seen the video regarding the fuel injector issue too with the 4x tropicana bottles, tubes and unions and wondered if it's an injector(s) but also now wondering if it's the boost vacuum solenoid. Any help/advice appreciated.

I have a whistle when I accelerate could this be down to the vacuum boost solenoid??

help ! just change it. had overboots issue- changed that valve- and NOW IM HAVING P003A PROBLEM. and asking to RELEARN IT ?? how can can I possibly do it ? my computer topdown artidiag 600 doesn't have that function . HELP !

Hey Alan I have a P006A and a P1103 error codes I have replaced the mass flow sensor and the T mass sensor but still getting these errors on a mk5 1.6tdci and ideas ?

I have a 2013 focus mk3 tit x 2.0tdci 163 its got a huge turbo lag and seem sluggish in the bottom end worse when cold it has the egr blank plate in it mikeage is only 60k any ideas dude

What is the solenoid making any sort of noise when the car was at idle

Alan can help me with my ford mondeo mk5 2.0tdci problem error code p003A ?? What should I do

Hey Alan! Got a real headache, got a p1719 fault code on my Ford S-max. Can you help me? :)

hello, i have similar issue. could i just plug in new sensor withouy any calibration?

Hi Alan, I’ve got a 2009 Ford kuga 2.0tdci it vibrates underload, the engine light and the skid light comes on, as has a slighly loud intake/whistle noise, had the turbo replaced a couple years ago, have you seen any similar issues

Alanncould this cause a rough idle from idle to about 2k rpm? Just changed the leak off injector pipes and engine mounts (all ford genuine parts) and I have a rough idle. No codes on system. 166k miles on the clock.

Is this a simple on or off solenoid or dose it modulate the position over a range ?

Poo3a on smax runs sweet though bit low on boost any ideas

Any chance we could get a video on how to change the rear door handle? Mine came off in my hand

Had to buy it from ebay, ford would'nt sell them as a single part. Saved alot since it would have costed around 250 £ then. It's the same vacum system that makes the "long-farting-like-noise" after you shut of the engine.

This apply to a volvo v50 2.0 diesel?thanks.

i haven an d4204t that make wosh sound every time i throutle and deacclerate (kinda sound like a pop off valve) . Can this be signe of an airleak ? on the intercooler house to turbo ? so hard to see if it is cracked

It’s a 130hp 2,0 Tdci engine

Hi Alan I think iv got a boost leak somewhere on my mk4 mondeo are there any other pipes to check apart from the 2 intercooler pipes Are there any egr pipes I could check Cheers

Fantastic videos just got a question my 2011 1.6 diesel osf wheel bearing is making a noise been told it comes in one unit with hib is this correct and would it be the same as a mk5

Think this is the reason why my S-Max is making a buzzing noise when turn it off?

Hi every one.2012 Mondeo 2.2 sport. anyone know where the fuse is for the side light's.

Hi Alan. Mine shows no faults, last time I checked, but under prolonged hard acceleration in high gears it hesitates but only gently, like 100% power for 1/2 second , 90% power for 1/2, continually. Is it worth changing this just in case? Force a dpf regen perhaps? Any clues welcome.

Have you done a video of removing it please? Noob here 😂