fault code guide
P2015: Intake Manifold Runner Position Sensor / Switch Circuit Range/Performance
A sensor detected that the airflow flaps inside your engine's intake manifold are turning past their normal limits. Your car will usually drive, but you may notice less pulling power at low speeds and higher fuel use.
How it shows up: A steady amber engine management light will appear on your dashboard, and you may feel sluggish acceleration when pulling away. A mechanic or diagnostic tool reads code P2015 from the engine control unit.
Updated 9 November 2026
Can I keep driving?
Service soon
The car remains drivable for short journeys, but ignoring it can cause poor engine performance, higher fuel consumption, and clogged emissions filters.
What to do right now
- 1Note whether the engine management light is steady or flashing; if it is flashing, stop driving as soon as it is safe.
- 2Pay attention to engine response when accelerating from a standstill to see if power is restricted.
- 3Book an inspection with a local garage or prepare to inspect the intake linkage once the engine is cold.
Likely causes
Most likely first.
- Likely
Worn actuator stop limiter
The plastic travel stop inside the flap motor wears down over time, allowing the flap arm to rotate further than the sensor expects.
- Possible
Carbon buildup on swirl flaps
Soot and oily vapours coat the manifold flaps, causing them to stick and preventing smooth movement through their calibrated range.
- Possible
Broken or detached linkage arm
The plastic connecting rod linking the electric motor to the runner flap shaft snaps or pops off its ball joint.
- Rare
Faulty runner position sensor or flap motor
Internal electrical components inside the flap actuator fail, sending incorrect voltage readings back to the engine computer.
What you can check yourself
Park somewhere safe and level, engine off, before you start.
- 1
Check the instrument cluster
Turn on the ignition and confirm the engine management light stays steady amber rather than flashing. A steady light confirms you can drive safely home or to a nearby garage.
- 2
Inspect the intake flap linkage
With the engine switched off and fully cool, pop the bonnet and locate the intake manifold actuator on the front or side of the engine. Check whether the small plastic or metal linkage arm is visibly broken, loose, or disconnected.
- 3
Check the wiring plug
Find the electrical connector plugged into the intake manifold flap motor. Ensure the plug is firmly seated and that the wires leading into it show no signs of chafing, cracking, or oil soaking.
Rough cost to fix
Rough estimateTypical prices in Ireland (€) and the UK (£), from an independent garage up to a main dealer. The total bill depends on whether fitting a simple mechanical limiter bracket cures the over-travel or if severe carbon buildup requires a complete intake manifold replacement.
Install aluminium repair bracket limiter
- Do it yourself
- €15–40£12–35 in the UK
- At a garage
- €90–180£75–150 in the UK
Replace intake manifold flap motor actuator
- Do it yourself
- €80–220£70–190 in the UK
- At a garage
- €200–420£170–360 in the UK
Replace complete intake manifold assembly
- Do it yourself
- Garage job
- At a garage
- €450–950£380–820 in the UK
When to go to a garage
- The engine management light begins flashing while driving or the car enters restricted limp mode.
- Fitting an external repair bracket or checking the linkage does not clear the fault code.
- The manifold runner flaps are jammed solid by internal carbon buildup and require manifold removal.
Questions drivers ask
Can I keep driving my car with code P2015?
Yes, you can usually drive normally for short periods without causing sudden engine failure. However, prolonged driving with stuck flaps can increase fuel consumption and accelerate soot loading in your exhaust system.
Will clearing the P2015 code make it stay off?
No, simply erasing the code with an OBD scanner will only keep the light off until the engine runs its next flap calibration cycle. As soon as the motor rotates past its worn mechanical stop, the fault code will return immediately.
How does P2015 affect the NCT or MOT?
An illuminated engine management light is an automatic failure on the UK MOT for modern petrol and diesel cars. On the Irish NCT, engine fault codes alone result in an Advisory Pass, but the car will fail if the stuck flaps cause exhaust emissions to exceed legal limits.
What is the bracket fix often mentioned for this fault?
Many engines suffer from a tiny plastic stop wearing away inside the intake manifold, allowing the flap motor arm to turn too far. An inexpensive aftermarket aluminium bracket fits over the motor body to provide a physical stop, restoring correct sensor travel without replacing the whole manifold.
Test rules here are for the National Car Test in Ireland (NCT) and the MOT in the UK. Elsewhere, check the regulations of your own country or state before going for a vehicle test.
The warning light you may see
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General guidance for most cars, not a diagnosis of yours. Details differ by make, model and year - check your handbook, and if in doubt, don't drive.