Venture EGR

I have been getting the P1404 code for some time now...if you reset it it's back fairly quick..within the day. Today, I took a look at the EGR and...something doesn't look right. If you look at the photos you can see a bolt that isn't screwed in all the way....it LOOKS like that is the lefthand bolt as you are looking at the EGR valve from the front of the vehicle....is that right...the bolt looks WEIRD...it doesn't have a flat face...looks like some kind of nipple or something on the top...like a bolt that has a screw on it????? According to the directions...it says that you loosen the transmission fill tube, remove the air cleaner inlet duct, disconnect the wiring and pipe and unscrew...there ISN'T ENOUGH ROOM IN THERE...LOL...I mean...there just isn't...I just want to make sure I am looking at this right...

could the P1404 be thrown because the thing isn't bolted in like it should...in the first photo you can see the way the bolt looks....

http://illuminationsfx.com/venture/venture1.jpg

http://illuminationsfx.com/venture/venture2.jpg

cycle your wipers to the full up position and remove the key...should give you more room to access the egr valve.

the photo looks like a nut on a stud that may have a external torx end??

the p1404 sets when the egr is commanded closed and the egr position sensor voltage reads that it is open. Valve positon isn't what its supposed to be so the code sets.

Check for good power and ground. disconnect the wiring connector at the egr and check for 5volts on the gray wire during key on engine off (koeo). the black wire grounds back at the ecm.

don't think the valve assembly being loose is the problem as valve position is determined by a potentionmeter in the valve as opposed to a map reading (would get a map reading change as an air leak is present when loose).

seeing as the bolts are half out anyway...remove and inspect for deposits keeping the valve stuck open.

well CRAP...I didn't think I would be messing things up....Just by looking around I have mucked up something...the van runs crappy now...above 30 the SES light blinks...I pulled this hose loose, circled in red

http://illuminationsfx.com/venture/venture3.jpg

What is that called and would that not being connected properly cause the van to run like that....I can't quite get it connected on the back side where it goes in to the left of the EGR...doesn't look like it is in all the way. Everything else looks like it is connected...

You bumped the vacuum line off. I don't know what its called, but it interconnects manifold pressure to the throttle butterfly in the front and in the back where you can't see it, it supplies vacuum to the fuel pressure purge valve.
Its not that its all that important, but you can't break the vacuum lines anywhere at all and have the engine run worth a damn.
Be careful with that pipe too; they get brittle and crack on you. Its easy to order a new one, but who wants to do that? In particular watch for a proper seal where it connects--don't allow any leaks.

As for your EGR question; its not too bad a job to remove the entire EGR valve and clean it up. If you have a new one, you can install it in about 30 minutes. Pretty easy really. You might want to remove the two front engine mount pins and LOOSEN the two bottom engine mount screws so that you can pull the engine forward for more room.
Best way to manage that is use a ratchet strap hooked down to a frame hole under the engine and bring it around front and up top to an engine eye hook. Put some tension on there and roll the entire engine forward about 8 inches. Plenty of room back there now!
Once you an eyeball in there, its easy to see what needs to come off to replace the EGR.
John