Another P0404 and P1404 Code

I've got a '00 Regal GS 3800 w/SC. I noticed a few weeks back an intermittent sluggishness and hesitation/shutter on take off. Days later it threw a couple of codes (P0404 and P1404) and by this time the hesitation had become slightly more consistent, however not much more severe.

I search the forums here and found a few articles, a few providing the cleaning procedure. I noticed most of the articles described symptoms, of stalling (or near stalling) at idle. My symptoms seem to be a bit different, in that I have no apparent issue at idle nor with heavier acceleration. It seems to only be mild acceleration that causes the hesitation.

Anyway, I tried cleaning the EGR valve 1st. It was really quite clean looking already and the pintle seemed to move freely enough. Never the less, I took to it with carb cleaner/wire brush and removed a majority of the very light deposit build-up, then lubed it afterwards. I even tested pintle actuation with a light voltage and it worked fine.

I cleared the codes and gave it a spin. And the problem seemed to be solved. No more hesitation and it even seemed to have a little more pep. However after about 4 days the same hesitation was back and so were the codes.

I've read in numerous places the P0404 code is triggered when the system detects that pintle position error is too large and is typically caused by carbon build up or a faulty EGR valve. Since mine was so clean, I'm suspecting the later. I'd hate to drop $150 on a new EGR valve to have the same problem. I'm wondering if there are any good methods to test the connecter leading to the valve to ensure that it's is getting the proper signals.

I read somewhere on testing the "5 Volt reference circuit" and the connector's ground circuit. Can anyone help me here? (Which terminals and what is the 5V ref circ?)

If there are any solid ideas on what might throw this code and cause this performance problem, please respond. Hate to be so long winded, but I was hoping to cover everything.

Thanks JK

P0404 - Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Open Position Performance. This code is tripped when the open position indicated is > 15% off of desired position.

P1404 - Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Closed Position Performance . This code is set when the EGR closed position indicated is > 10 counts off desired position.

These two codes are inidcating issues at both ends of the EGR's travel. Since you've checked and cleaned the valve pintle and I assume the intake passage as well, then I would say you have a bad EGR valve.

Normally, if it were an issue with the 5v reference signal, it would only error one way or the other not both.

Well, I decided to go ahead and buy the replacement EGR valve. I installed it earlier this evening and cleared the codes. So far the hesitation is gone and no more codes. I will report back if anything changes. Thanks for your input Richtazz.

Jerrold