[BillAmigo99]

I'm already on my 3rd EGR. Got the c/e light again. I took it in, but they can't find anything wrong. The EGR looks fine, can't find any electrical problems. This one is less than a year old, as is the norm for this problem. The Amigo runs fine ('99 3.2L V6). Is there anything else that could set off the light under that same code? There's got to be a reason setting this thing off, or that really is making them eventually go bad after setting off the light first. Any ideas?

Bill

 

[JTK]

Bill, what's the OBDII code you are getting? If it's an EGR low/insufficient flow code, it could just be a plumbing issue- where the feed tube or one of the ports is plugged up. More often than not, something is plugged or the EGR valve pintle gets stuck due to carbon build up. Usually the valve itself is fine. The EGR system on these trucks does need periodic cleaning to keep it flowing. They are very prone to plugging. G/luck
Joel

 

[BillAmigo99]

I don't have a code reader for it, the shop did it, so I don't know exactly what code it was. They checked and said that physically it's fine. It's only been on there since last Jan. They said they cleaned it off, but there wasn't really anything to clean.

 

[JTK]

Bill. You may want to get one of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46030
Knowing exactly what the code is, really is the only way to troubleshoot this. It may be as simple as a good cleaning. A thourough EGR/tube/port cleaning is a simple as a $3 can of carb cleaner & basic tools. If you get harbor freight's catalog, i've seen this code reader go on sale for $29.
G/luck
Joel

 

[BillAmigo99]

Hey, good one! The only one I found locally was $150! The one for my car ('91) has been helpful ($30), but I wasn't about to pay $150 for another.
I'll give that cleaning a shot. Much better than $180 for another EGR.

 

[Amigo-2k]

I cleaned out my EGR on my 2000 Amigo last weekend:

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showf...&Old=1week&Main=356814&Search=true#Post358832

Other possible problems with the EGR is that the EGR tube is plugged. You might want to spray some carb cleaner down the tube to see if that will help.

 

[BillAmigo99]

Thanks for the info. I don't think the reset the computer, so I'll do that at the same time. Worth a shot.
Think this is related to the standard oil consumption problem? Could that be gumming it up somehow?

 

[JTK]

Bill- No doubt about it. Combine a little bit of oil consumption, with this EGR disign on these engines = deposit build-up. A good cleaning like Ryan did should help things out.
Joel

 

[wrenchmonster]

Hello. EGR systems basically need 2 things to work properly. The first is a control signal, usually a ported vacuum source. Sometimes this source signal is controlled by a TVV or SVV (Thermal/ Solenoid vacuum valve). The ported vacuum must be working and so must the TVV or SVV. The other, as the other guys have said, are the EGR phyical passageways between the intake and exhaust. These must be clean. Other componets to check in EGR operation would be the BPT valve (backpressure transducer), and to make sure that the EGR only works during acceleration. (Most EGR systems are only made to operate off idle, not at idle or during decel.) A BPT valve is dependant upon your exhaust system having the correct backpressure to operate the valve. So if your exhaust is in poor shape or has been modified I would take a close look. BPT valves are not used in all systems.

EGR systems are in place to reduce combustion chamber temperatures and hence reduce NOx emissions. So, if you have high NOx levels, your EGR is probably not working properly even if you're getting no trouble codes. Hope this helps.

-Kevin

 

[2eyefishclaw]

the most common concern is sticking EGR valve due to carbon build up as described by most already. The way I take care of the really stubboorn ones is by removing the EGR valve stop up the exhaust port really well after that start the vehicle have someone accelorate to 2000 to 2500 RPM spray an entire can of carb cleaner into the EGR port (the one that has a vacuum on it) if you spray the wrong hole you will create a fire and may burn yourself. By doing this you will clean the EGR passage which will allow what is known as EGR flow because I would be willing to bet your DTC is P0401 = EGR flow insufficient try it, it will work I do iit on a daily basis.

 

[bigdan]

Bill,
I have a 98 trooper that I had the same problem with. The final fix which I got from a friend that had a 98 trooper was:
1.Remove the EGR valve.
2.Remove the front throttle valve assembly
3.Use a straight piece of firm rod about 20" long and rod out the small tube on the left side that goes to the EGR valve at the rear of the engine.
4. I used a wet/dry vac at the EGR location as I rodded the tube out to keep any build up from getting in the EGR tube.

The engines are probably similar, once I did this and reset the code I never had another check engine light relating to the EGR.

Dan