Spool Valve Operation

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Remove the Oil Control Valve (OCV). See OIL CONTROL VALVE under VARIABLE VALVE TIMING SYSTEM in REMOVAL, OVERHAUL & INSTALLATION article.
Ensure spool valve (in OCV) is in maximum valve timing retard position. See Fig 1 . If not as specified, replace OCV.

Fig 1: Inspecting Oil Control Valve Operation
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Ensure battery is fully charged.
Using fused jumper wires, apply battery voltage between OCV terminals and ensure spool valve moves to maximum valve timing advance position. See Fig 1 . If OCV operation is not as specified, replace OCV.
NOTE:
When applying battery voltage between OCV terminals, connection can be either of following:
- Positive battery cable to terminal "A".
- Negative battery cable to terminal "B".
- Positive battery cable to terminal "B".
- Negative battery cable to terminal "A".
Disconnect fused jumper wires and verify spool valve returns to maximum valve timing retard position. See Fig 1 . If OCV does not operate as specified, replace OCV.