C3638 Diagnostic Trouble Code

C3638 is a kind of OBD-II Diagnostic C-Chassis 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 C3638 diagnostic trouble code may include:

Poor acceleration
Cherry red hot catalytic converter
Possible spark knock (detonation / pre-ignition)
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

Possible Causes :

Defective ECU strategies or components will prevent proper regeneration
The Mass Airflow sensor is a hot wire that senses the volume of air entering the intake manifold. The computer uses this information to control fuel mixture.
A large air leak at or near the number one oxygen sensor would also cause a lean mixture.

Repair Processes :

Look for missing ground strap or a rusty ground where the fuel tank is grounded to the frame. Check for damage to the wiring harness connector. If the scan tool has that capability, and the scan tool can operate the IMRC valves, then the problem is either resolved and a simple code clearing is all that's left or a new PCM would be called for.

Process Tips

Diagnostic trouble code C3638 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 C3638.

Fortunately, C3638 is a fairly common OBD code, meaning that it applies to all makes and models of vehicles made after 1996.

C3638 Trouble Code For Specific Cars

C3638 Mercedes S 65 Air Bag Crash Sensor #1 Feed/Return Circuit Short To Ground
C3638 Mercedes-benz W196 Air Suspension LF Corner Down Timeout
C3638 Ford Lotus Mirror Driver Up Circuit Failure
C3638 Amphicar 770 Air Suspension LF Corner Up Timeout
C3638 Db 850 HO2S Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 1 Sensor 3)
C3638 Adler 14 ABS Inlet Valve Coil RR Circuit Failure
C3638 Lexus Ls 300 TCSPL Solenoid Circuit Malfunction