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Topic: EGR Valve / check engine light  (Read 9401 times)

Offline loganm200

  • Joined: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 7

EGR Valve / check engine light

« on: March 07, 2013, 03:21:33 PM »
my 99 eurovan check engine light came on driving home from the purchase, took it to auto zone to check code, 400  EGR valve flow. new one $ 300 to 400.  Took it off cleanedit it out with brake cleaner put it back on, engine light still on
cant pass emission unless cleared.... any suggestions.

Offline ASBug

  • Varnel, Ga
  • Joined: Jan 2008
  • Posts: 3032

Re: EGR Valve / check engine light

« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2013, 05:05:30 PM »
Sell it to me?
LOL, just kidding.
You need a VAG Com to clear it, or (someone correct me if I am wrong), disconnect the battery for about 10 minutes...
It'll clear your codes (I think), but it may also activate the theftlock on your radio.  You may need to make sure it isn't coded.
I am just throwing out something that was told to me about my GTI when I had it and I had to reset the CEL.
KC

Offline loganm200

  • Joined: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 7

Re: EGR Valve / check engine light

« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2013, 06:11:04 PM »
Dont have to worry about locking the radio wasn't working when I bought it if anything It might come on! I've also heard that disconnecting battery might clear codes ill try that and get back.

Offline travisyoung

Re: EGR Valve / check engine light

« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2013, 06:23:58 PM »
You can not clear the codes by disconnecting the battery

Offline travisyoung

Re: EGR Valve / check engine light

« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2013, 06:27:39 PM »
It is a vr6 engine correct?  Get the p code should be something like p0421,  we don't see those 2 often,  I did not remember that they had an egr,  sometime the auto zone scan tools can have the wrong fault description ,  may be several other things,  if you have an air leak that could cause the fault,  I believe the maf meter would probably be the number the engine uses to check the egr

Offline travisyoung

Re: EGR Valve / check engine light

« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2013, 06:32:05 PM »
Looks like it could be a broken vacuum line to the egr valve or the solenoid

Offline loganm200

  • Joined: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 7

Re: EGR Valve / check engine light

« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2013, 06:57:48 PM »
VR6, it was p0400 EGR valve flow malfunction , saw it on computer, so new vacuum hose or solenoid, narrowing it down, thanks

Offline dubtech

  • Hixson
  • Joined: Apr 2005
  • Posts: 251

Re: EGR Valve / check engine light

« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2013, 08:01:15 PM »
Eurovans were the only engines that kept the EGR system after the switch to OBDII.  The later cars didn't use it or they use the variable cam timing to achieve the EGR function.

First off, check the simple stuff and make sure that you don't have a broken vacuum hose anywhere.  If you don't then you'll need to do some more checking.

You're going to need a hand operated vacuum pump to do the rest of this diagnosis so if you don't have one go get one.  Start the engine and let it idle.  Remove the vacuum line going to the EGR valve, hook the pump up and put some vacuum on the EGR valve.  If the valve is operating normally then the idle quality will deteriorate (aka, it'll run like crap).

Replace the line you pulled off and check the amount of vacuum on the inlet side of the EGR solenoid.  If it's really low (~5 inches of vacuum or so) replace the line and  follow it down to the front of the engine.  You may have to put the front end in the "service position" but this is pretty easy on a Eurovan.

There's a vacuum actuated valve in the cooling system that can pop the diaphragm and cause a hard to find vacuum leak which will limit the vacuum going to the EGR valve causing it not to open.  Check the valve with a vacuum pump and see if it holds vacuum.  If it doesn't, replace the valve and then recheck the vacuum at the EGR solenoid.  If the vacuum is back up to a normal level you should be in good shape.

Oh, and no, disconnecting the battery won't erase the fault(s).  You'll have to erase the fault(s) with a scan tool and redo the throttle body adaptation.

Offline Ret.Bugtech

Re: EGR Valve / check engine light

« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2013, 03:49:37 PM »
Buy a Bug !!

Offline loganm200

  • Joined: Mar 2013
  • Posts: 7

Re: EGR Valve / check engine light

« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2013, 04:51:10 PM »
baby steps....hang around here long enough and might have too, probably transition to a bus though! :redbus:

Offline dubtech

  • Hixson
  • Joined: Apr 2005
  • Posts: 251

Re: EGR Valve / check engine light

« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2013, 07:51:21 PM »
Buy a Bug !!

Oh, you mean one of those underpowered, under-braked, poor handling cars that you have to change the oil every 3k miles, the plugs every 5, the cap and rotor every 10, constantly fiddle with the carb and then drive around wondering when the generator belt is gonna snap, kill the cooling fan and smoke the engine?

 ;D

Offline Ret.Bugtech

Re: EGR Valve / check engine light

« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2013, 09:31:09 PM »
   Indeed Farmer Brown. ;) ;D

Offline Russ

Re: EGR Valve / check engine light

« Reply #12 on: March 08, 2013, 10:05:09 PM »
He meant to say, buy a Dasher.

Offline Zen

  • Show Chairman
  • Club Member
  • LaFayette, GA
  • Joined: Dec 2001
  • Posts: 8842
  • Liked: 2 times

Re: EGR Valve / check engine light

« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2013, 01:05:53 PM »
He meant to say, buy a Dasher.

I have one for sale.  CHEAP.   ;D  I'll take a Eurovan in on trade!  And I'll throw in a Bug too!   ;D   Hang in there . . . Dubtech and Travis have walked me through all sorts of water-cooled problems.

Offline dubtech

  • Hixson
  • Joined: Apr 2005
  • Posts: 251

Re: EGR Valve / check engine light

« Reply #14 on: March 10, 2013, 09:12:38 PM »
I'd drive a Dasher if it looked like this.


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