I recently (knowingly) bought a 2003, 41K 2.5L SE+ with the MIL on, and with P1549 showing on the reader I decided to change the IMT valve seals once I got it home. Surprisingly I found one of the wires going to the lower valve had become disconnected (it hadn't been crimped properly within the connector), hence the reason for the fault.

Once I'd disconnected the wiring and saw the very small hole in the connector where the wire should go, I thought reconnecting it would be impossible - but the blue inserts are just rubber collars that pop out easily enough; just slide it over the wire and reconnect.

Getting the valves out was a bit fiddly, but after removing the wiper blades and the black valance it was a lot easier (but still fiddly, particularly the top valve).

So now the codes are cleared and the MIL is off, and all for the princely sum of a tenner.. which made negotiation of the purchase price (and carrying an OBD reader) all the sweeter.

Cheers, Mark

 

Smart moves there Mark - well done. Hope she keeps on purring for you.