engine light on - code P1518

[Bill NJ]

Hi,
Computer scan for 2002 3.8 Windstar Engine Light on said IM RC
code P1518 "stuck open". Can someone please explain what this is?
Thanks,
Bill NJ

[ruggratt]

IMRC is intake runner manifold control.They are the secondary butterflys in your intake manifold, sort of like the secondary butterflys on an old 4 barrel carburetor. It should only open at high throttle, 3000 rpm or so. I know on my 1996 there are two IMRC's, one for each group of cylinders. They are vacuum actuated and sometimes the diaphram goes bad causing them to not hold vacuum and stay open. If they really are stuck open your van is probably running rough right now. I would guess you need a new actuator.

[wiswind]

The actuator is available new only from FORD.
Here is a place that has good online prices....and they are very helpful with questions...
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=214072

[rodeo02]

Bill, your 2002 will have a single electric actuator for both banks of IMRC's. Check the plastic clips that hold the actuator arms to the actual throttle shafts. Sometimes they break and cause the actuator to bind. The clips themselves can be purchased. If I remember correctly, the IMRC cycles/tests itself when you kill the ignition. You can have a look as someone kills the engine.
G/luck
Joel

[Bill NJ]

Originally Posted by ruggratt

IMRC is intake runner manifold control.They are the secondary butterflys in your intake manifold, sort of like the secondary butterflys on an old 4 barrel carburetor. It should only open at high throttle, 3000 rpm or so. I know on my 1996 there are two IMRC's, one for each group of cylinders. They are vacuum actuated and sometimes the diaphram goes bad causing them to not hold vacuum and stay open. If they really are stuck open your van is probably running rough right now. I would guess you need a new actuator.

Thanks.
I'll let you know how I make out.
Thanks, again.
Bill NJ

[Bill NJ]

Originally Posted by wiswind

The actuator is available new only from FORD.
Here is a place that has good online prices....and they are very helpful with questions...
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=214072

Thanks.
I'll let you know how I make out.
Thanks, again.
Bill NJ

[Bill NJ]

Originally Posted by rodeo02

Bill, your 2002 will have a single electric actuator for both banks of IMRC's. Check the plastic clips that hold the actuator arms to the actual throttle shafts. Sometimes they break and cause the actuator to bind. The clips themselves can be purchased. If I remember correctly, the IMRC cycles/tests itself when you kill the ignition. You can have a look as someone kills the engine.
G/luck
Joel

Thanks.
I'll let you know how I make out.
Thanks, again.
Bill NJ

[kdawn]

how do you clean an egr valve. what effects does it have on your vehicle if it needs replacing?

[mrswhetstone]

I got the same code on my 2001 ford windstar and i replace one of the imrc bushings that was missing. I'm just curious if anyone thinks this will be what fixes it and makes the light go off (since this was the only code I got) or if it could be something else wrong. the explaination of the code also said "open or shorted electrical circuit". Is that just something that automatically comes up with that code? or is that a seperate issue that needs to be addressed?

Thanks for any help you can give me

[cabron1]

had the same problem on my 2000. Replaced bushings. and all is well. Just take a look. Look at the serpentine belt, look up, small black box with two linkages one to the rad, and the other linkage towards the cowl. Tiny bushings are expensive; $12 to $16 /ea.

Easy fix, no need to remove cowl.

PS: Do a search on it, more info on replies to my post about a week ago.

[bdahl385]

Originally Posted by cabron1

had the same problem on my 2000. Replaced bushings. and all is well. Just take a look. Look at the serpentine belt, look up, small black box with two linkages one to the rad, and the other linkage towards the cowl. Tiny bushings are expensive; $12 to $16 /ea.

Easy fix, no need to remove cowl.

PS: Do a search on it, more info on replies to my post about a week ago.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ighlight=47099

http://www.oreillyauto.com/EW3/Produ...&currentPage=0



O'Reilly Auto Stores, pack of 5 for about 6 bucks. Not the easiest to replace though unless you have small hands. The rear ones are really tough unless you take the whole IMRC motor assy. loose. Mine was the front one and was the easiest to replace.

After replacing the bushing, the CEL stayed on for about 3 days and then shut off and has not returned. I didn't want to disconnect the battery to clear the code and don't own a scan tool to do it.

[sbCars]

I had the CEL come on, cheked the code and got P1518.

When I found this thread I went looking for the IMRC linkage. Sure enough, the rear linkage was hanging off. I was still trying to figure out what's what and poked at something to check if it was loose. It jumped out of sight. After I recovered it, I went to the store and got the package of bushings from O'Reiley's just as other posters said to do. The O'Reilly part number is 47099. The package says Vacuum Retainers/Bushings.

This tread was a real life saver. There's no way I could have figured out that this $6 packge of bushings at my neighborhood parts store was going to solve the problem.

I replaced the bushings at both ends of the linkage and reattached the linkage. I just did the job this morning, so I'm still waiting to see that the CEL goes off in a couple of days.

Thanks a million for figuring this out and posting the information here.

[sbCars]

That was it. The CEL went out on it's own a couple of days after replacing the bushings and reconnecting the linkage.

[wiswind]

You did very well......$6 repair job.

[raypunzel]

I had the same error codes and was directed to this site after a web search. Lo and behold what i thought was gonna cost me big dealer $ was nothing more than plastic bushings that needed replacing . I am gonna see if the dash light will go out after a few days like others report. I even disconnected the battery but it did nothing to the dash light. I will report after a few days of driving.

Very much appreciated....I hope the actuator motor does not need to be replaced..keeping my fingers crosse in ohio.
Ray Vacca