What Does P1515 Mean?
The PCM has detected that the primary intake manifold changeover valve circuit is shorted to ground. The control circuit has an unintended path to ground, preventing the PCM from properly energizing the valve.
Common Causes
45%
Damaged wiring harness with exposed wire grounding to chassis or engine
30%
Failed primary IMRC solenoid with internal short to ground
15%
Corroded or moisture-contaminated connector creating ground path
10%
Incorrectly routed harness after previous repair contacting ground
Diagnostic Steps
1
Step 1: Disconnect primary IMRC valve connector and test control wire resistance to ground (should be infinite)
2
Step 2: Visually trace wiring harness for damage, particularly near heat sources and moving components
3
Step 3: Inspect connector terminals and housing for corrosion, moisture, or physical damage
4
Step 4: Measure solenoid coil resistance and test for short between control terminal and case ground
5
Step 5: Wiggle test wiring harness while monitoring resistance to identify intermittent shorts
Estimated Repair Cost
$150 - $550
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The PCM has detected that the primary intake manifold changeover valve circuit is shorted to ground. The control circuit has an unintended path to ground, preventing the PCM from properly energizing the valve.
The most common cause of P1515 (Intake Manifold Changeover Valve circuit Short to Ground) is: Damaged wiring harness with exposed wire grounding to chassis or engine
Typical repair costs for P1515 range from $150 to $550, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
Vehicle remains safe to drive. Performance and fuel efficiency may be slightly compromised at certain RPM ranges.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P1515 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Variable Intake Manifold System
Difficulty
Type
Manufacturer
Recommended Tools
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