Error Code P2618: What It Means & What To Do?

<<See All OBD Codes

Facing issues like abnormal drive and problems with the throttle? Did you notice drop in the fuel efficiency and the constant stalling of the engine? Is your car’s Check Engine Light turning on more recently? All these indicate problems with the crankshaft profile control circuit, flashing OBD Code P2618 error.

The crankshaft position sensor monitors within the engine to find the location of the camshaft. The information that it gathers from the camshaft is used to optimize the timing of fuel injection in the engine. In case this sensor malfunctions, the computer will be unable to make fine adjustments to fuel injection and the performance of the engine will dip.

When the PCM detects that the crankshaft position sensor is having an output voltage lower than the manufacturer’s specifications, OBD code P2618 gets stored in the system.

What causes this problem with the Crankshaft Position Signal Output Circuit Low?

• An open or shorted crankshaft position sensor circuit
• A faulty crankshaft position sensor
• Crankshaft position sensor poor connections

1. Engine Control Module - Most of the time it is difficult to intercept the ECM faults and thus must be checked for thoroughly. There can be a problem with the circuit or the software might have malfunctioned. Thus repair, replace or reprogram the component as per requirement.
2. Powertrain Control Module - If the PCM is faulty, it can store wrong OBD codes and can lead to misdiagnosis. This can happen due to misinterpretation of data received from the various sensors and components which also affects the vehicle’s performance. Thus replace it immediately.
3. Fuel Injector - Affected fuel injectors can cause reduced performance and throttle response. It can also affect the fuel economy and affect the engine emission. Thus, replace faulty fuel injector now!
4. Electronic Control Unit – If the ECU is at fault, it will not be able to read the boost converter temperatures correctly leading to underperformance. Thus, replace faulty ECU now!
5. Diagnostic Tool - Choose from our diagnostic tools collection that will come in handy to detect and correct the OBD error code.
6. Crankshaft Position Sensor – A failed sensor means no monitoring for the crankshaft position. It may cause the engine to start vibrating heavily which can affect the engine power and mess with the recording of mileage. Thus, replace it now!

We at Parts Avatar Canada care for our customers, and that’s why we will help you to diagnose P2618 code by listing out some major symptoms. They are mentioned below as follows:

Common Symptoms

• Check Engine Light On indicating P2618 code problems
• Damage in fuel delivery system causing degrade in engine response
• Engine might stall 
• Poor throttle response due to improper fuel combustion
• Reduced fuel economy with increased consumption due to fuel pump leakages
• Altered power bands due to ill-timed fuel pressure system leading to poor engine timing

Learn the ways with which you can correct this trouble code P2618:

• Weak or dead battery replacement
• Chafed, melted, or otherwise damaged wiring replacement
• Cleaning electrical connections to the crankshaft position sensor circuit
• Camshaft position sensor replacement
• Crankshaft position sensor replacement

Don’t get tensed if you are still facing any of these issues as we care for our customers and that’s why we offer a good range of PCM, Crankshaft Position Sensor, Crankshaft, ECM, Throttle Position, Electronic Pressure Regulator and a lot more. We are sure that now all your issues would be resolved.

P2618 can be diagnosed properly using advanced scan tool capable of factory sensor readings. An experienced technician can collect and collate the data from the scanning tool to determine as to when the problem occurred. Physical checks and test runs are advisable to check is the error is returning or not.

Based upon the conditions of the test, possibly clearing the code, and road testing the car while monitoring the data, further diagnosis may be required. Diagnosis may require multiple tools such as:

• An OBD-II scanner is used by the technician in order to verify that the code is present, and check for other codes indicating the same of different problems at different levels.
• To check the occurrence of error again, the previous data collected and freeze and checked periodically.
• The wiring and connectors are check visually for loose connections, corrosion, or shorts that might be the cause of dampened performance and the OBD error code P2618.
• Specialized tools are used to test the camshaft/crankshaft sensors performance. These check if the error is occurring because of issue with the camshaft or crankshaft errors.
• Read engine RPM and crank the engine using the OBD scanner. The scanner reading should be between 100 and 500 RPM. If the reading is not between the desired ranges, it indicates that the crankshaft sensor isn't working right and might need replacement. A reading of zero indicates that the crankshaft sensor has failed completely.
• Next step is to remove the sensor, and test the sensor resistance. Attach one end of the multimeter to each wiring lead of the sensor. If the resistance is zero, it means that there is a short circuit. Similarly, infinite resistance means that there is an open circuit in the sensor. For any other reading, match it against the manufacturer's specifications. If your reading is not close to the recommended resistance, then the sensor needs to be replaced.
• Another way to test the crankshaft sensor using a multimeter is by checking the output voltage with the engine cranking. Typically, this reading is around 200 millivolts, but this can vary from vehicle to vehicle. Check the manufacturer's specifications. If there is no output voltage, then, obviously, the sensor is not working.

Common Mistakes When Diagnosing the P2618 Code

Oftentimes the technician only emphasis on problems due to crankshaft sensors neglecting many other components which might be responsible to P2618 error code flashing in the scanner. Thus other components like exhaust systems, fuel delivery systems, electrical wiring and connections, valves and joint need to be examined as well to stop the error from flashing again