P188E Mercury Villager Diagnostic Trouble Code

P188E Mercury Villager code definition:
P188E is a kind of OBD-II Diagnostic P-Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code for Mercury Villager.

P188E Mercury Villager is defined as Knock Sensor Circuit Range Performance (Bank 1 or Single Sensor). This refers to camshaft timing, which in this case is over-retarded. If the car doesn't start, they will proceed by testing the voltage at the fuel pump connector and see if the fuel pump relay, fuse, and PCM circuitry should be inspected.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a P188E Mercury Villager diagnostic trouble code may include:

Fuel pressure too low
Rich or lean exhaust
Diminished fuel efficiency
The light may stay on or light intermittently as the DPF regenerates. The engine will be sluggish on acceleration.

Possible Causes :

An air leak forward of the DPF will change the sensor readings resulting in the code
Rusty exhaust systems, cracked exhaust manifolds or damaged or missing gaskets or donuts will cause air leaks.
Faulty IMRC actuator/sensor

Common Misdiagnoses

Vehicle Speed Output Circuit Problem
Cruise Control Servo Indicates Low Problem
A/C System High Pressure High Temperature Problem
PCM Stack Overrun Problem
Transmission Control Module Reprogrammable Memory Problem

Repair Processes :

If all testing has passed so far yet you still have the same code, check your scan tool and see if it can open and close the IMRC valve. 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. Replace the oxygen sensor that is downstream from the catalytic converter on the side of the engine that does not contain cylinder #1. Also, if a oxygen sensor code stating "heater circuit malfunction" the sensor has most probably failed.

Process Tips

Diagnostic trouble code P188E Mercury Villager 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 P188E Mercury Villager.

Fortunately, P188E Mercury Villager is a fairly common OBD code, meaning that it applies to all makes and models of vehicles made after 1996.