1998 Ford Windstar IMRC Stuck Open

FORD WINDSTAR
Avatar
SLMERCER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
1998 Ford Windstar, 3.8l, 110,000 miles. My check engine light is on and I was given codes P1537; Inlet manifold runner control malfunction (stuck open), and P1538; Inlet manifold runner control malfunction (stuck open). $200.00 for parts. Is there a way to unstick these instead of replacing? I couldn't find these codes in the Trouble Code Tables. :?: Thanks for your help.
Feb 19, 2006 at 10:57 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,158 POSTS
P1537 IMRC stuck open, vacuum operated, bank 1
P1538 IMRC stuck open, vacuum operated, bank 2

Mechanical concern - bind, seize, damage or obstruction of IMRC hardware
IMRC monitor signal circuit shorted to PWR GND or SIG RTN
Damaged IMRC actuator
Damaged PCM

To answer your question, it depends what is wrong. They might not just be stuck.
The sensors or their wiring could be bad.
The vacuum motors or their vacuum lines/source could be bad.

Might try a seafoam treatment just for the heck of it tho.

Good luck and let us know.
Feb 19, 2006 at 12:10 PM
Avatar
PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,158 POSTS
My buddy Randy recommended two other things.

"Sometimes the clip for the arm just falls off. You can feel it if you put your hand on the control
Another thing I've seen happen is when someone will do an induction service and instead of cleaning all the gum out, it softens it and makes it real sticky and causes the flaps to stick in the manifold ."

Good luck.
Feb 19, 2006 at 12:17 PM

Suggested Repair

Before replacing the IMRC parts, inspect both banks for binding, seized or obstructed runner hardware, a missing control-arm clip, and flaps made sticky by gum or an induction service. Also check the vacuum actuators, vacuum lines and source, monitor sensors and wiring, and consider a Seafoam treatment to free sticky flaps.

Conversation Summary

A 1998 Ford Windstar 3.8L with 110,000 miles has a check engine light and codes P1537 and P1538 for inlet manifold runner control stuck open on banks 1 and 2. The owner asked whether the runners can be freed instead of spending about $200 on parts. The expert explained that the vacuum-operated IMRC system may have mechanical binding, damage, obstruction, a bad actuator, sensor or wiring faults, or a PCM problem, so the parts may not simply be stuck. Suggested checks include vacuum motors and lines, a fallen control-arm clip, sticky flaps after an induction service, and a possible Seafoam treatment.

Related Repair Questions

Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Ask a new question

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle