What Codes Will This Page Cover?
- P1518 Intake Manifold Runner Control (Stuck Open)
- P1519 Intake Manifold Runner Control (Stuck Closed)
- P1520 Intake Manifold Runner Control Circuit Malfunction
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What Is the P1518 Code?
Symptoms
Causes
Seriousness
Can I Still Drive?
Diagnose
Difficulty of Inspecting
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For certain car brands, including Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury, these codes all indicate issues with your Intake Manifold Runner Control (IMRC). The way this piece works is that each of your cylinders has two individual intake air passages. One passage is always open, but the other is opened and closed using a valve plate. A vacuum vents from the actuator, causing the butterfly valve plates to open; if this process somehow doesn’t work properly, then you’ll get one of these codes.
More About the P1518, P1519, and P1520 Codes
The difference between these three codes has to do with the problem that the IMRC is running into.
- P1518: Intake Manifold Runner Control (Stuck Open)
- P1519: Intake Manifold Runner Control (Stuck Closed)
- P1520: Intake Manifold Runner Control Circuit Malfunction
As you can see, in P1518, the butterfly valve plates are stuck open, meaning that the air is constantly able to move through the air passage. The opposite is true in P1519; the valve plates are stuck closed, so the air is unable to ever move through the passage. P1520 is more of a generic trouble code indicating that the circuit has not provided enough information to the powertrain control module (PCM) and has somehow malfunctioned.
What Are the Symptoms of a P1518 Code?
Your first symptom will usually be the check engine light. Outside of this, symptoms may vary depending on the actual problem you’re experiencing and to what extent. You might experience a reduction in engine power, especially if the control is stuck open. Aside from that, however, it’s best to look at the actual code your vehicle is throwing rather than trying to diagnose based on symptoms, which are likely to flux.
What Are Some Causes of a P1518 Code?
Most of the time, the P1518, P1518, and P1520 codes come from an issue with the IMRC. It may be that the IMRC actuator is faulty and you need to replace it, that the actuator harness is open or damaged, or that the actuator circuit is not connected appropriately and must be reconnected. In very rare cases, the PCM might actually be malfunctioning and require a replacement, but it’s very rare for the PCM to malfunction, so this should always be your last assumption.
How Serious Is the P1518 Code?
This is definitely not one of the most serious sets of codes out there, and you shouldn’t worry if you run a code check and realize you’ve been driving with this code for some time. However, because it can cause issues with engine performance, you should still address it as soon as possible. Any time there’s an engine issue, you should do your best to fix the problem early on.
Can I Still Drive with a P1518 Code?
You will almost always be able to drive with the P1518, P1518, and P1520 codes. However, this doesn’t mean you should just continuously drive with no care for the codes. The engine performance issues will likely only compound on themselves, and it’s important that you fix them as early as possible if you want to have a well-functioning car.
How Easy Is It to Diagnose a P1518 Code?
The main issue with diagnosing these codes lies in the fact that there are a number of potential causes. Although it’s often possible to determine where the problem is coming from, you then need to run through the different components of the area, such as the IMRC actuator, the actuator circuit, and the PCM. If you’re not well-versed in doing this, then you might want to leave it to the experts.
How Difficult Is It to Inspect a P1518 Code?
The IMRC actuator is often buried pretty deep within the engine, which means that inspection isn’t always easy. The best way to understand what’s happening with the P1518, P1518, and P1520 codes is to get an expert to help. Experts have training in these kinds of problems for all makes and models, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not you’ll be able to fix the problem.
Need Additional Help with Your P1518 Code?
An expert is always going to be the best option for anyone who is experiencing vehicle issues. While some of these problems might not be as serious as others – with these trouble codes being some of the less serious – that doesn’t mean you can just ignore them. Fixing them early on helps you use your vehicle more effectively.
Start off by finding a repair shop in your area with the KBB locator. This can help you find your nearest repair shop, which is great if you don’t want to take too much time out of your day to get service for your vehicle.
Additionally, many vehicles don’t just throw a single code when you’re trying to fix a problem. This is where the OBD-II database can come into play. With this database, you can learn more about all the codes your vehicle might offer when you check it.
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