94 transport check engine light codes

I went to the pontiac dealer, because my check engine light was on. They gave me these codes:


P1406 = EGR Pintle position error
P0401 = EGR Low Flow

They said you just need to replace the EGR Valve.

Is this correct? Or are they bullshitting me here to get more money?

All feedback is welcomed :) Thanks in advance.

The EGR valve is indeed a frequent trouble maker. However the necessity to change it at once can be weighted in relation with the symtoms. If you have erratic idle, hard starting and the like, then the diagnostic is relevant and replacing the EGR valve is the most probable solution to these problems.

If there are no annoying symtoms for now, other than the CEL, (they may develop later however) then waiting until you find a more appropriate time slot or can procure one on E-BAY at a good price is the correct alternative.

Ok. Autozone has one for $180.00

I will buy it/install it. The old one had little carbon in it. So this is a good thing, right? I took the old one off to check the carbon. I tossed it back on, and heading to autozone now.

Ok I bought it, and installed it. The check engine lights come on and goes off whenever it feels like. So this is why I went to the local pontiac dealer. They said the codes mentioned above is my problem. I said ok. So replacing the gasket and the egr valve should fix the codes mentioned above, right?

...that is why I asked if there were other symptoms in the first place...
too often the CEL will give an alarm in a place that is a consequence of some other mishap ...so I use to wait and see....but yes, if the EGR was the sole culprit, the CEL should have gone away.
The linear EGR has two main components: the solenoid that pulls the pintle, and a resistor track, that translates the pintle position into a voltage that is fed back to inform the ECM of the actual position achieved. Most often the resistor track wears out .
A brand new resistor track CAN need a few operation cycles to establish a neat contact and for a little while will transmit sporatic false voltage and pop the CEL...but it should clear itself out rapidly...
As you describe, it seems the CEL does not come on in hte same fashion, proving you have indeed changed something ...or am I mistaken...
So.....wait and see....and if there are no adverse symptoms, live with it for a little while...and after 12 years...the EGR valve is a part that was most probably ready for replacement anyway, and rather sooner than later. If the trouble is elsewhere...a new CEL code come will come out in due time.

Ok...I did get the EGR valve from Autozone, and installed it. The CEL went out on my way OVER to buy this part. This CEL comes on and normally goes off within 24hrs of being on. It happens sometimes 3weeks apart, sometimes days apart. The pontiac dealer said the codes mentioned above, so they said if I replace the EGR valve it will fix my problems. I'm hoping it fixing my problem.

So from what you posted this codes I typed above will be fixed by the new EGR valve, right? The EGR valve had to be bad to tos these codes at the pontiac dealer, right?


And to your remark about me changing something....I changed the air filter, and got a tuneup. My brakes got done. Tierod replaced. All these were done within the last two weeks.

I did remove the old egr valve, and tried cleaning it with carb cleaner. It seemed to slow down how ofter the CEL comes on. I made my own gasket for it out of gasket material.

Maybe this proves the EGR was the problem, and when I cleaned it...I didn't clean it good enough, or my gasket wasn't the best.

Ok....My car seems to want to stall out when I first start it in the morning. It does correct itself. Is this because I added the new EGR? Or is something else wrong?

Something went misunderstood here: when I said "the CEL does not come on in hte same fashion, proving you have indeed changed something ..." this was about the fact that your replacement of the EGR did seem to have changed the way the CEL went off....sorry for the unadequate wording....
OK now...I think you have done the right move. now...just as yourself, I would expect that having replaced the faulty EGR valve with a new one would clear all fault signals about this item. One thing the computer does is adapting to slow changes in engine and sensors behaviour. To reset the computer to "initial" settings, you have to disconnect the battery for a few minutes...and turn the headlights on..this is to make sure any residual change in capacitors is evacuated.
I'd do that to clear all possible adaptations the computer may have generated while the faulty EGR valve was there. Then once you connect the battery again, the computer resets with "default" values. THis is a no risk no$ operation....just wait and see what happens thereafter.

Ok.

Thanks for the information. The CEL isn't on right now, so should I still reset the computer?

Negative. Do not do more than what is needed. THe computer will adapt progressively to new values .

Ok thanks again.