What Does P018B Code Mean On Chevy Silverado? Causes & Fixes

Some OBD codes are severe, causing your vehicle to not start at all. While other vehicles start at some OBD codes mild to moderate ones. The code P018B is a bit of both for your Chevy Silverado.

The code P018B on a Chevy Silverado refers to a Fuel Pressure Sensor B Circuit Range/Performance issue. The “B” in this code indicates that the problem is with the fuel temperature sensor B.

Sometimes the car runs okay even though the code still comes up. In this case, you can just clear the code. Nevertheless, I will discuss what you can do to fix the P018B code on Chevy Silverado in this article. So stay tuned to find out!

What Does P018B Code Mean On Chevy Silverado?

This is a generic powertrain diagnostic trouble code (DTC). The fuel pressure sensor in the fuel system monitors the fuel pressure. The FPS is usually attached to the fuel rail or the fuel line.

The fuel pressure sensor is a transducer (a type of sensor). This sensor changes its internal resistance in response to pressure. In general, three wires connect to the FPS: reference, signal, and ground. The sensor receives a reference voltage (typically 5 volts) from the PCM and responds with a return signal voltage corresponding to fuel pressure.

The fuel pump control module uses this information to adjust the fuel pump on time as needed. If the fuel pump control module detects no change in pressure from the fuel pressure sensor when the fuel pump is activated, the P018B fault code is generated.

The P018B may be a “permanent” code and usually always comes back after startup. This code could be setting off the P069E (Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM) Requested MIL Illumination) code.

Now, let’s look at what the different parts of the code P018B signify:

• P- Powertrain, the assembly of parts that move your car forward.
• 0 – Standardized code.
• 1 – Emission Management (Fuel or Air).
• 8B – Specific code. (In this case, Fuel Pressure Sensor B Circuit Range/Performance).

What Happens When the Code P018B On Chevy Silverado Appears?

Here is what happens when the P018B code appears on a Chevy Silverado:

• The CEL lights up. The Bluetooth scanner will show P018B.
• Both P2635 and P018B codes may appear together.
• “Commanded fuel rail pressure B” shows/diagnoses zero.
• A rough idle or misfire. There may be an intermittent rough idle stumble and even stumbles with an increase to 1000k RPM.
• Sometimes it is difficult to increase speed from idle. The Silverado dies when you do that.
• The idling fuel pressure may be sporadic. It may fluctuate around 45psi, with dips to 30 and even 22 psi. It may then jump up to 50psi.
• The truck gets cut out while driving. It suddenly stops running.
• The truck drops to idle while at speed.
• The RPM drops slightly at startup, then gradually increases to a steady idle.
• You may also notice a significant power drop.

Other Symptoms of the Code P018B

DTCs P2635 and/or P018B may be set in environments with an ambient temperature of 100 F (37.7 C) or higher. And the car could display stalling or hesitation symptoms.

What Causes Code P018B On Chevy Silverado?

The car doesn’t accelerate as it should when you press the gas pedal. Because the sensor provides inaccurate data, the engine control unit is unable to transmit the signal to the fuel system correctly.

Consequently, it won’t be able to meet the engine’s fuel requirements. Here are the causes at a glance:

• Bad fuel pressure sensor.
• Damaged, shredded, molten wiring anywhere generating from the sensor to anywhere.
• Although it is rare, the ECM fails often resulting in this issue.
• Moreover, other fuel-related problems can generate the code.
• Often, the fuel pump module power may also get damaged.
• A tune of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may cause erratic codes like this one.

How To Fix The P018B Code On The Chevy Silverado?

1. Inspection and Preliminary Checks

With this code, the main thing to do is the FPS change. But before that, you need to manually inspect all the wires and other sensors. You need to check the fuel for debris or anything weird.

Additionally, make sure that all wires have the proper voltage. Before checking the code or running diagnostics, make sure the engine is cooled down. A hot engine will fumble with the results. Make sure there is enough fuel in the engine.

Once you have made sure that the wiring, sensors, Electronic Control Module, and Powertrain Control Module al are okay, move toward the fuel pressure sensor.

2. Fuel Pressure Sensor and Fuel Pump

Replace the Fuel pressure sensor. The engine lights will likely get turned off right away. There will also be no more weird RPM fluctuations at startup.

Start by inspecting the wiring and fuel pressure sensor. Check for broken wiring, loose connections, etc. If damage is found, make the appropriate repairs.

Pull down the fuel tank to replace the fuel pump. The fuel pump mounted above the spare tire is controlled by a fuel pump control module found in newer trucks. It is a problematic system that is overly complicated.

There was a recall on some of the fuel pumps in 2014’s. These things can be finicky. Change them if they have gotten old.

Others

Take a look at the ECM or the Powertrain components for any damage or failure. Replace separate components or the entire system. However, this is rarely necessary.

How Much Does It Cost To Fix The Chevy Silverado P018B Code?

The pressure sensor costs from $45-60 and it takes 2.5 hours of labor usually. It should only take 30 minutes to remove the intake, swap the sensor, and reinstall the intake. The sensor is located on the fuel rail.

The fuel pump replacement may cost $180-230. It may cost you $115 for diagnostics.

The entire fuel system is specifically excluded from the powertrain warranty. So you cannot get any benefit there.

Can You Drive Your Chevy Silverado With Code P018B?

No, it is not safe to drive a car with this code at all. The reason is that it may have a misfire or stall completely:

1. In the middle of nowhere: leaving serious safety issues.
2. On a busy road: leaving scope for deadly accidents.

Not just fatal accidents, but there may be damage to the fuel system if you keep on driving this way. So make sure you get the Silverado fixed as soon as you can.

However, if you only notice performance declines and nothing else, you may continue to drive the car. Yet there is no saying when things go worse.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

The code P018B is not as clear as other codes. Some don’t even know about the code and take it as a false alarm or typo of the scanner.

Yet this code is pretty common. The ‘permanent’ nature of this code is annoying. It needs a drive-off after fixing the Silverado to get rid of this code.

However, I hope this article made the code P018B on a Chevy Silverado easier for you to understand and fix. You also got an idea of how much will be the estimated budget to solve the problem.

Happy driving then, cheers!