I have a 2004 st170, the eml comes on ever so often with the code p1518, I'm led to believe this is the imrc stuck open? I've changed the imrc, the inlet manifold and the inlet manifold sensor( well the sensor on the inlet). I have a cheap eBay code reader that I've borrowed from a friend and also it's been code read from a mechanics and they can't find any obvious faults because it's so intermittent. My issue is that some days I have lots of acceleration power then other days it bogs down and makes lots of noise but doesn't move fast? Ive just had the car MOTed and I was told that I may have the wrong lambda as they are colour coded?? I got the lambda sensors from Euro car parts and I've been told electrical stuff from there isn't that good and has problems ( a few garages have told me this) so I'm unsure of what to do? I don't want to spend lots of money on a new imrc, or new lambdas again. If anyone can help I'd be most greatful! I know these cars aren't the fastest but when they work properly they do move!

 

When your driving the car does the car struggle to get past 3.5k revs??

 

No the car doesn't struggle to get past 3.5k revs? It just struggles to accelerate?

 

Cheap lambda sensors can cause all manner of issues. What make were they?

 

Erm I think they are NGK lambdas? I've today noticed the car doesn't like cold morning when in the summer time it loved cold morning? If I want to accelerate from low revs it struggles to get past 2k revs but after 2k revs it then accelerates. Some days it's really good but recently the really good days have been there so often.

 

Have u changed the spark plugs lately mate

 

Could it be a problem with the wiring.
Do you know if the transistor had been changed in the new imrc controlled box.

 

I haven't changed the plugs for nearly 5k miles maybe? But I have some new ones as I was going to wait till after Christmas to service the car, erm I have a resistor (tip121) I think it is? Because I see on the forum about changing it but I'm not confident with a soldering iron 😂 I can tig weld just not solder. As far as I'm aware there is no damage to any wires or any obvious faults

 

I would defiantly change the transistor mate as mine did this when I had it and that's what it was. I bought the car from my father in law and they just drove about in it for a year with it intermittently coming on. I fixed it in the first week I had it and never had a problem with it after. I was a good car.
I would remove the imrc box and take it into an electronics repair shop they will change it within 10 mins for not a lot of cash.