OBD II Code P1517

96 Windstar 3.8L. I get OBD II Code 1517 - Intake Manifold Runner Control Input Error (bank 2). My understanding is that the front is bank 2. I have cleared the code and switched wires going to the IMRC's with no change. Both IMRC's operate as described in other posts. The front IMRC (bank 2) was changed out about 6 months ago and the rear was changed about 2 years ago. Any ideas or checks before I drop $200?

You've identified the banks correctly. If both actuators are functioning as they should, there must be a internal microswitch that is not showing that the IMRC moved properly.

Are you sure they are moving "all the way"... sometimes those linkages get bound-up.


Its a bit of work but you could remove the actuator ...but keep it hooked up pneumatically and electrically and see if the signal back to the PCM is then OK.

Both IMRC have full travel , stop-to-stop. I found the old IMRC and disassembled it. There is no "micro-switch." It looks like a magnetic type sensor. I checked voltage at the plug. There are 3 wires red, black/white and tan on one plug and orange/wht on the other. The black to red voltage is 12v on both plugs. but, checking voltage from the other wires to ground show one plug has 5 volts and the other has 1/2 a volt.
I also have the same problem someone else mentioned- when i turn off the key, the computer looses it's memory (all readiness flags reset). I checked my Chiltons manual wiring diagram, but I cannot locate the electrical schametic for the IMRC's

I strongly recommend you consider buying the elect and pneumatic diagrams for your model...its just much too involved to cover in a Chiltons or Haynes.

Go to helminc.com and when you find your year model, look under "all media" ... usually about $35 bucks for paper copy ... the best maintenance money you will ever spend.