B1838 Diagnostic Trouble Code

B1838 is a kind of OBD-II Diagnostic B-Body Diagnostic Trouble Code.

It is considered generic because it applies to all makes and models of vehicles, although specific repair steps may be different depending on your car model.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a B1838 diagnostic trouble code may include:

Possible spark knock (detonation / pre-ignition)
Poor fuel economy
The engine oil will exhibit dilution from the ECUs attempts to increase engine temperature. Some vehicles advance the fuel injection timing slightly after top center to afterburn a small amount of fuel to increase exhaust temperatures. Some of this fuel enters the crankcase. When the ECU determines the necessity to regenerate the DPF, the service life of the oil be shortened significantly
Rich or lean exhaust

Possible Causes :

A large vacuum leak would cause a massive amount of un-metered air to enter the intake manifold resulting in an overly lean mixture.
Faulty IMRC actuator/sensor
Defective ECU strategies or components will prevent proper regeneration

Repair Processes :

If you find a related TSB, the information will often help in diagnosing the code in question as TSBs are crested from many thousands of repairs. Look for damage to the tank indicating impact that may have damaged the fuel pump or sender.

Process Tips

Diagnostic trouble code B1838 is not difficult to diagnose and repair. Thus, it always pays to have a qualified technician to look after your vehicle should this error code arise.

Diagnosing this code requires the engine to be in good running shape, without unmetered air entering the engine. If other codes that relates to misfiring condition, lean running or air entering the engine is present, then you must first fix those error codes before B1838.

Fortunately, B1838 is a fairly common OBD code, meaning that it applies to all makes and models of vehicles made after 1996.

B1838 Trouble Code For Specific Cars

B1838 Lea-francis 12 System Voltage Malfunction
B1838 Isotta-fraschini Tipo
B1838 Volkswagen Crafter Ii Reverse Switch Circuit Malfunction
B1838 Austin A60 Autolamp Delay Increase Circuit Short To Ground
B1838 Toyota Prius Park Brake Actuator Assembly Switch Applied Circuit Failure
B1838 Packard 400 DPFE Sensor Hoses Reversed
B1838 Ford Mustang Mirror Driver/Passenger Switch Circuit Short To Battery