P0518 Diagnostic Trouble Code

P0518 is a kind of OBD-II Diagnostic P-Powertrain 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 P0518 diagnostic trouble code may include:

The light may stay on or light intermittently as the DPF regenerates. The engine will be sluggish on acceleration.
Faulty PCM
If the DPF is not cleared the ECU will revert to the "Limp Home Mode" until the situation is corrected
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.
An air leak forward of the DPF will change the sensor readings resulting in the code

Repair Processes :

With the valve disconnected, the red voltmeter lead should be attached to the IMRC valve power wire and the black voltmeter lead connected to ground. Once located, visually inspect the connectors and wiring. Look for rubbing, scraping, bare wires, worn spots or melted plastic connectors.

Process Tips

Diagnostic trouble code P0518 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 P0518.

Fortunately, P0518 is a fairly common OBD code, meaning that it applies to all makes and models of vehicles made after 1996.

P0518 Trouble Code For Specific Cars

P0518 Audi Cabriolet Anti Theft System
P0518 Seat Exeo Injector Circuit Open / Shorted - Cylinder #6
P0518 Mercedes-benz 300 Air Bag Passenger Circuit Short to Ground - Loop #2
P0518 Alfa Romeo Graduate Air Assisted Injector Control Circuit High
P0518 Volkswagen Karmann Cheetah Right Front Wheel Pressure Reduction Performance Problem
P0518 Healey Tickford Passengers Seat Belt Buckle Switch Circuit Short to Battery
P0518 Mercedes E 63 Accelerometer Front Circuit Short To Battery