CEL codes P1537, P1538, P1450

[chico899]

i have codes P1537, P1538, P1450 on my 98 3.8L windstar. anyone have any information on what the problem might be.

[wiswind]

P1537 Intake Manifold Runner Control (IMRC) Bank #1 stuck open
P1538 IMRC Bank #2 stuck open (should be front side of engine)
P1450 Unable to bleed up fuel tank vaccum

The IMRC is set to OPEN with the engine OFF.
They CLOSE when you start the engine, and will open again above 2900 rpm.

Remove the vaccum line from one of the actuators, with the engine running.
Place your finger/thumb over the line and see if the other side closes.
If it does, the defective one is the one you have disconnected.
If the other side does NOT close, reconnect, and try the same thing with the other side.
Verify that the connecting hardware is intact.
The actuators are a high failure item.
One can leak vaccum and rob the other side from the vaccum needed to operate.
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=214072
For a good web price on a replacement actuator, should you need one.
This is a dealer only part.

The IMRC actuators work by a vaccum that comes through the red vaccum line that is connected to them. The vaccum line goes to a vaccum control solonoid that is mounted on the rear, passenger side, of the upper intake manifold. The vaccum source is from a vaccum line connected to the upper intake manifold, and a signal from the PCM controls the Solonoid to open and close them when the engine is running.
Check the vaccum lines.

For the P1450, I would start at the vaccum line connection that is on top of the upper intake manifold, next to the throttle body. Check that elbow at the manifold for any cracks (like inside the elbow). Follow that vaccum line down to the PCV valve.
Verify every connection to be certain that it is connected, and that the vaccum line is in good condition, no leaks, not melted together, etc.
There are many things that get their vaccum source from this line, including the vaccum solonoid that is mounted onto the firewall.
You will want to check that solonoid over, as it is the solonoid that controls vaccum to the charcoal canistor for the fuel tank.
Make sure that both vaccum lines are connected to it.
There is a little knob thing on that sololoid, inside that knob is a filter that may need to be cleaned.
The charcoal canister is under the car, next to the fuel filter, inside the unibody "frame" member.
Also verify that the electrical connection to the firwall mounted solonoid is intact.
There is another solonoid mounted to the rear of the upper intake manifold, driver side. This is for the EGR vaccum to the EGR valve.
Verify that the vaccum line to it is intact.

[irish30]

The IMRC control rods are attached with white clips, I would first make sure that the clips are intact, they get brittle form heat and age and break, the IMRC motor is located north of the water pump, small black box beside the the lower intake manifold.