P1518 IMRC open

[wmr95]

I thought I might of fixed this prob.(drivability is ok, seems to hesitate at low rpm) The linkage seemed to be disc so I secured it, but the light came back on yesterday. Is there anyway to check the IMRC actuator to make sure it is working? The prob seems to lean towards a MAF sensor or the IMRC actuator itself.

[busboy4]

HI
You don 't give a year on the van but I'll assume '95? If you want to check it "passively" you can do so with a hand vacuum pump on the IMRC and see if it closes and opens. Or, with the vehicle idling - IMRC should be closed and if you briefly rev it to high RPM (like 3000) the IMRC should be commanded open and then it should close again as the RPM drops off.

[wiswind]

The 1995 windstar did not have the IMRC system, it was introduced in 1996.
I am not familiar with the electrically actuated version, but here is what I know about the 1996 through 1998 vaccum version.
If you have a 1999 or newer.....let us know and one of the members who has that version will chime in.

On the vaccum actuated version, on our older windstars from 1996.....up to, but not including 1999, the IMRCs will be OPEN with the engine OFF....held closed by springs.
When you start the engine, they will close....and be held closed by vaccum from the upper intake manifold (through a electrical solenoid).
If this is not happening, a common cause is a leaking actuator.
1 actuator can leak, robbing the other one of the vaccum needed to operate.

The way to check this is, with the engine running, carefully remove the vaccum line from 1 actuator....place your finger over the end of the vaccum line.
If the other actuator closes, then it is likely that you have disconnected the leaking actuator.
If the other actuator does not close, reconnect, and try the same disconnect and finger over vaccum line for the other actuator.
This test will most likely get you to the problem, without having to rev your engine at all.

If you have the electrical version, 1999 and newer, then the vaccum test is not valid...as they are electrically actuated.
However, they will be CLOSED with the engine at idle.
On these newer version, a common problem is a broken or missing nylon "clip" that connects the IMRC linkage to the actuator.

BOTH versions have a electrical sensor to tell the PCM the position.
There have been posts that some aftermarket units (vaccum units for 1996 through 1998) have sensors that are not electrically compatible with our PCMs.
The actuators are expensive, and the aftermarket is a bit cheaper, but not worth it if they have not corrected the compatibility issue.

[wmr95]

I apologize for not mentioning the year, it is a 2000 SEL. thanks for all the info on the system. I got into it yesterday and found the nylon clips broken at the actuator and the linkage. I am going to try and get some new ones from Ford today. all the parts stores around me (south AL) didn't carry anything like it. Hopefully the actuator is working properly and it's just the fact that the linkage was disconnected.
Thanks again

[pitteach]

Go to O'Reilly auto parts online for these IMRC bushings. I think I got 5 of them for about $10 shipped- way cheaper than what Ford wants. Part # 47099. They are not listed as IMRC bushing, but they are exactly what you need.
I found it a little tricky to get these on so I removed the IMRC motor and linkage to put the bushings on.

[wmr95]

Thanks, i was having trouble getting them. Appreciate the P/N

[wmr95]

OK, got the new retainers and installed them and put everything back together( had IMRC actuator out). Now van is running like crap and I have a P0302 cylinder 2 misfire. Could I have put the IMRC linkage on wrong? I put the back one in the top slot and the front one in the bottom slot. That seemed to be the best way for them to be and I thought that was the way I took them off. I have a lot going on right now so I definitely could have messed it up. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Rob

[busboy4]

Originally Posted by wmr95

OK, got the new retainers and installed them and put everything back together( had IMRC actuator out). Now van is running like crap and I have a P0302 cylinder 2 misfire. Could I have put the IMRC linkage on wrong? I put the back one in the top slot and the front one in the bottom slot. That seemed to be the best way for them to be and I thought that was the way I took them off. I have a lot going on right now so I definitely could have messed it up. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Rob

Hi
Here is a photo from the Leckemby site. Looks as you describe but perhaps it will help. I'm wondering what all you disconnected to get to the actuators? Perhaps any vacuum lines i.e. might there be any disconnected etc.

Hope it helps:
http://leckemby.net/windstar/16.jpg

[wmr95]

Thanks for the pick, looks like I hooked back up right. I am going to check everything out in the morning as far vacuum lines and all.
thanks