Diagnostic Trouble Code P0385 indicates a Misfire Detection Sensor Ckt Failure
Misfire Detection (MD) Sensor is located on the front of the timing chain cover, and is a two wire sensor.
Here is a pic by Steve83
dead in the middle of this photo - black connector
Is MD sensor disconnected?
However that code could also be generated because of a misfire. Also check for any crossfiring plug wires and make sure that the spark plugs are in good condition. The quick way to check for crossfiring plug wires is to mist the plug wires lightly with water when it is dark and watch for sparks
from 96 Bronco EVTM
The misfire sensor is an electromagnetic inductance coil similar in operation to a camshaft or crankshaft position sensor. A four-point stator, or pulse ring, located behind the crankshaft damper generates an electrical impulse in the sensor at each 90 degrees of rotation. The powertrain control module (PCM) (12A650) monitors the sensor pulses and flags any misfire events. When a specified number of misfires occur within a certain time frame, the powertrain control module will alert the driver to the condition by turning on the malfunction indicator light (MIL).
Note:
Misfire sensor is not required on 49 State/Canada 7.5L engine. It is required on a 7.5L California engine
PIN-POINT TEST
Distributor Ignition
Key On Engine Off:
Key On Engine Running:
«DK1»
Continuous Memory:
«DK1»
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0385 indicates that Self-Test has detected a Misfire Detection (MD) Sensor circuit failure.
Possible causes:
MD circuit open.
MD circuit shorted to GND.
MD circuit shorted to PWR.
SIG RTN open
Damaged MD Sensor.
Damaged PCM.
Start engine.
Will the engine start?
Yes GO to «DK2».
No - DTC P0385 is not the cause of the No Start. GO to «Section 4A», Symptom Flowchart
See attachment
DK2 CLEAR AND ATTEMPT TO RE-GENERATE DTC P0385
Complete PCM Reset to clear DTCs (refer to Section 2A, «Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reset»).
Start engine.
Increase rpm to greater than 1500 rpm for 10 seconds. Repeat two times.
Key off.
Retrieve all Continuous Memory DTCs.
Is DTC P0385 present?
Yes GO to «DK5».
No The fault that produced DTC P0385 is intermittent. GO to Pinpoint Test Step «Z50»
Z50 step should be used with the Intermittent Ignition Analyzer (Part No. Rotunda 007-00075). If this analyzer is not available, or this is a coil on plug application, return to «Z1» and choose another procedure.
DK5
Key off.
MD sensor vehicle harness connector disconnected.
Disconnect PCM. Inspect for damaged or pushed out pins, corrosion, loose wires, etc. Service as necessary.
Install breakout box, leave PCM disconnected.
BOB pins are same as PCM pins; use str8 pin to probe wires w/meter lead attached.
See PCM pin-put diagram from Ford EVTM
Pin Number Circuit Circuit Function
1 315 (P/O) PCM to Transmission Shift Solenoid No. 2
2 658 (P/LG) PCM to Check Engine Indicator Lamp
3 � Not Used
4 � Not Used
5 � Not Used
6 651 (BK/Y) Dedicated Ground
7 � Not Used
8 � Not Used
9 � Not Used
10 � Not Used
11 � Not Used
12 � Not Used
13 107 (P) PCM Flash EEPROM Power Supply
14 784 (LB/BK) 4x4 Low Range Switch to PCM Indicator Lamp
15 915 (PK/LB) J1850 Bus Negative/Data Negative (Return) to PCM
16 914 (T/O) J1850 Bus Positive/Data Positive
17 � Not Used
18 � Not Used
19 � Not Used
20 � Not Used
21 � Not Used
22 � Not Used
23 259 (O/R) Dedicated Ground to TFI Module
24 570 (BK/W) Dedicated Ground � PCM
25 875 (BK/LB) Ground Logic Module
26 � Not Used
27 237 (O/Y) PCM to Transmission Shift Solenoid No. 1
28 � Not Used
29 224 (T/W) Transmission Overdrive Cancel Switch to PCM
30 � Not Used
31 � Not Used
32 � Not Used
33 676 (PK/O) Vehicle Speed Sensor � Negative (Return) to PCM
34 � Not Used
35 392 (P/LG) Heated Exhaust Gas Oxygen Sensor No. 3 to PCM
36 968 (T/LB) Mass Airflow Return
37 923 (O/BK) Transmission Oil Temperature to PCM
38 354 (LG/R) Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor to PCM
39 743 (GY) Air Charge Temperature Sensor to PCM
40 238 (DG/Y) Fuel Pump Monitor to PCM/Fuel Pump Relay to Safety Switch
41 198 (DG/O) A/C Pressure Switch to Control Relay
42 � Not Used
43 � Not Used
44 200 (BR) PCM to Air Management No. 2 (Was TAD)
45 � Not Used
46 � Not Used
47 360 (BR/PK) PCM to Electronic Vacuum Regulator � Constant Current
48 382 (Y/BK) PCM to Test Connector No. 2
49 395 (GY/O) Profile Ignition Pickup to PCM
50 929 (PK) PCM to Spark Angle Pulse Width/Spark Output
51 570 (BK/W) Dedicated Ground � PCM
52 � Not Used
53 924 (BR/O) PCM to Transmission Coast Clutch Solenoid
54 480 (P/Y) PCM to Transmission Converter Clutch Control
55 37 (Y) Battery to Load
56 191 (LG/BK) PCM Top Vapor Management Valve � Constant Current
57 310 (Y/R) Knock Sensor No. 1 to PCM
58 679 (GY/BK) Vehicle Speed Sensor � Positive to PCM
59 917 (DG/LG) Misfire Detection Sensor � Feed
60 74 (GY/LB) Heated Exhaust Gas Oxygen Sensor No. 1 to PCM
61 � Not Used
62 � Not Used
63 � Not Used
64 199 (LB/Y) Manual Lever Position Sensor to PCM
65 352 (BR/LG) Delta Exhaust Pressure Transducer to PCM
66 � Not Used
67 � Not Used
68 � Not Used
69 � Not Used
70 190 (W/O) PCM to Air Management No. 1 (Was TAB)
71 361 (R) Power Output from PCM Relay
72 561 (T/R) PCM to Fuel Injector No. 7 Cylinder
73 559 (T/BK) PCM to Fuel Injector No. 5 Cylinder
74 557 (W) PCM to Fuel Injector No. 3 Cylinder
75 555 (T) PCM to Fuel Injector No. 1 Cylinder or Bank No. 1
76 570 (BK/W) Dedicated Ground � PCM
77 570 (BK/W) Dedicated Ground � PCM
78 � Not Used
79 911 (W/LG) PCM to Output Circuit Indicator Lamp/Overdrive Cancel Indicator
80 926 (LG/O) PCM to Fuel Pump Relay Control
81 925 (W/Y) PCM to Electronic Pressure Control No. 1
82 � Not Used
83 264 (W/LB) PCM to Idle Speed Control Motor No. 1
84 136 (DB/Y) Output Shaft Speed to PCM
85 � Not Used
86 � Not Used
87 94 (R/BK) Heated Exhaust Gas Oxygen Sensor No. 2 to PCM
88 967 (LB/R) Mass Air Flow Sensor to PCM
89 355 (GY/W) Throttle Position Sensor to PCM/Diesel Fuel Injector Pump Lever Sensor
90 351 (BR/W) Power to Engine Sensors
91 359 (GY/R) Sensor Signal Return
92 511 (LG) Stoplamp (Brake On/Off) Switch to Stoplamps
93 387 (R/W) HEGO Sensor Heater Voltage Monitor No. 1 to PCM
94 388 (Y/LB) HEGO Sensor Heater Voltage Monitor No. 2 to PCM
95 389 (W/BK) HEGO Sensor Heater Voltage Monitor No. 3 to PCM
96 � Not Used
97 361 (R) Power Output from PCM Relay
98 562 (LB) PCM to Fuel Injector No. 8 Cylinder
99 560 (LG/O) PCM to Fuel Injector No. 6 Cylinder
100 558 (BR/LB) PCM to Fuel Injector No. 4 Cylinder
101 556 (W) PCM to Fuel Injector No. 2 Cylinder or Bank No. 2
102 � Not Used
103 570 (BK/W) Dedicated Ground � PCM
104 � Not Used
Measure resistance between MD circuit at the MD vehicle harness connector and Test Pin 59 (MD) at the breakout box.
Measure resistance between misfire RTN circuit at the MD vehicle harness connector and Test Pin 6 (SIG RTN) at the breakout box.
Are resistance measurements less than 5.0 ohms?
Yes GO to «DK6».
No SERVICE open circuit. REMOVE breakout box.
RECONNECT all components. RERUN «Quick Test».
DK6 CHECK MD FOR SHORT TO POWER
Key off.
MD sensor disconnected.
Breakout box installed, PCM disconnected.
Key on, engine off.
Measure voltage between Test Pin 59 (MD) and Test Pins 51 and 103 (PWR GND) at the breakout box.
Is voltage less than 1.0 volt?
Yes GO to «DK7».
No SERVICE MD circuit for short to power. REMOVE breakout box. RECONNECT all components. RERUN «Quick Test»
DK7 CHECK MD FOR SHORT TO GND
Key off.
Breakout box installed, PCM disconnected.
MD sensor disconnected.
Measure resistance between Test Pin 59 (MD) and Test Pins 51, 103 (PWR GND) and 6 (misfire RTN).
Is each resistance greater than 10,000 ohms?
Yes GO to «DK8».
No SERVICE MD circuit for short to GND or SIG RTN. REMOVE breakout box. RECONNECT all components. RERUN «Quick Test»
DK8 CHECK FOR SHORTS IN PCM
Key off.
MD sensor disconnected.
Breakout box installed.
Connect PCM to breakout box.
Measure resistance between Test Pin 59 (MD) and Test Pins 51, 103 (PWR GND), 71, 97 (VPWR), and 6 (misfire RTN), and 23 (IGN GND) at the breakout box.
Is each resistance greater than 500 ohms?
Yes GO to «DK9».
No REPLACE PCM. REMOVE breakout box. RECONNECT all components. RERUN «Quick Test».
K9 CHECK MD SENSOR OUTPUT
Key off.
Breakout box installed, PCM connected.
Reconnect MD sensor.
DVOM on AC scale (to monitor less than 5.0 volts).
Measure voltage between Test Pin 59 (MD) and Test Pins 51 and 103 (PWR GND) at the breakout box while running engine at varying rpm.
Does AC voltage vary greater than 0.1 volt AC?
Yes REPLACE PCM. REMOVE breakout box. RECONNECT all components. RERUN «Quick Test».
No GO to «DK10».
K10 INSPECT MD SENSOR TRIGGER WHEEL
Is the MD sensor trigger wheel damaged, i.e., loose or misaligned?
Yes REPLACE or SERVICE as required. REMOVE all test equipment. RECONNECT all components. RERUN «Quick Test».
No REPLACE sensor. REMOVE breakout box. RECONNECT all components. RERUN «Quick Test».
.................
Removal1. Disconnect battery negative cable.
2. If engine is a V-8, proceed to next step. On a 4.9L engine, remove engine cooling fan and shroud. Refer to «Section 03-05».
3. Remove attaching screws and timing pointer.
4. Disconnect wiring and remove sensor.
Installation
1. Follow removal procedures in reverse order.
2. Tighten attaching screws to 8-12 N-m (75-105 lb-in).
--
"...The Misfire Detection Sensor is used with a TFI distributor system. The PIP signal generated by the distributor is not accurate enough to detect misfires. Because of this, a dedicated misfire detection sensor is used along with a crankshaft-mounted toothed wheel.
The following vehicles use the MFDS: 4.9L E and F-Series, 5.0L E, F-Series, and Explorer, 5.8L E, F-Series and
Bronco, 7.5L E and F-Series
Misfire Detection Sensor Check
Misfire Detection Sensor Check Operation:
DTC P0385 (MFDS) Monitor execution continuous;
The LDR Misfire Monitor uses a low-data-rate crankshaft position signal, (i.e. one position reference signal at 10 deg BTDC for each cylinder event). Distributor ignition systems utilize a dedicated misfire detection sensor.
The PCM calculates crankshaft rotational velocity for each cylinder from this crankshaft position signal. The acceleration for each cylinder can then be calculated using successive velocity values. The changes in overall engine rpm are removed by subtracting the median engine acceleration over a complete engine cycle. The resulting deviant cylinder acceleration values are used in evaluating misfire in the “General Misfire Algorithm
Processing” section below.
On some vehicles, “profile correction” software is used to “learn” and correct for mechanical inaccuracies in crankshaft tooth spacing under de-fueled engine conditions (requires three 60 to 40 mph no-braking decels after Keep Alive Memory has been reset). These learned corrections improve the high-rpm capability of the monitor formost engines. The misfire monitor is not active until a profile has been learned..."