Code 1538 puzzle...

I have a '98 Ford Windstar with the 3.8 L V-6. I started getting a code of 1538 which is the IMRC Bank 2 stuck open. It was intermittent at first and then became more frequent. I thought about the solenoid (which I replaced in 2005) but if that was faulty wouldn't I be getting both the 1537 and the 1538 codes (which I did when I replaced it in 2005)?

I also visually inspected the linkage and it looks fine. I took a screwdriver and pushed down on both front and back linkage and they spring back. I then removed the vacuum hose from the actuator and again pressed the linkage down and put my finger over the port and the linkage stayed until I removed my finger and then it popped back. I did this for both front and back.

What else should I be looking for? It is consistenly the bank #2 IMRC. I don't know if it is related but I am getting a misfire code on cylinder #1 but not nearly as frequent (and it is on the opposite side of bank #2).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

mptc

mptc

I don't know if this will help your 1538 code, but your misfire may be due to plugged EGR ports. I just replaced my lower intake gaskets and was getting a misfire code. I found 1 port fully plugged and others partly plugged.

In my signature are links to various Windstar links.

I hope this helps.

Dan

What mileage has your vehicle covered?
I also have the 98 and have been through the egr / gasket issues referred to above doing the work at 95k miles. The IMRC's are straightforward to diagnose; they either work or they don't and you can watch them activate once the engine is fired up and the vacuum is applied. So long as the plastic clips connecting the actuator rods are ok then you can rule them out quite easily.
For the cylinder with the misfire I'd start by checking the wires and having a good look at the coilpack. Then pull the spark plug and look for signs of fowling; on mine I could see a green residue from antifreeze leaking from the faulty gasket. It's a good idea to pull an adjacent sparkplug for comparison.
You also want to keep an eye on your coolant level and watch for coolant leaks into the engine oil.
If you need to do the gasket replacement and clean the egr ports then this site is a wonderful resource with links to photos of the work and lots of helpul posts.
Good Luck
Maurice

BTW, my Windstar has about 193,000 miles. I was running errands yesterday and left the car running while I ran into a store. When I returned the "service engine soon" light came on. The code was again...1538, which means that the bank 2 IMRC is stuck open. Well at an idle they should be closed anyway and the rpms could not have climbed up to 2900 while idling. So what other problem could be causing this code?

Thanks for all the help so far.

mptc