P401 code keeps coming back

[VinceH]

Hey, I have a 2000 3.2l rodeo with 84000k miles where the EGR code P401 keeps coming back. I have taken it off twice now and cleaned it out useing the methods from this web site. After cleaning it the light would dissapear and come back on after 2 months or so. The valve inside the EGR moves freely once celeaned.
What else could cause this to happen. Do I need to replace the EGR?
Any help would be great.

[amigo-2k]

EGR's do go bad. There are some photos of the insides of the EGR circuit boards that can fail.

-ryan

[Ramblin Fever]

Welcome to my past world that I FINALLY resolved after a YEAR of trying.

Don't just automatically go out & purchase a new EGR valve without inspecting other areas; I did this same thing after a year of cleaning my EGR area 8 times, throttle body, MAF sensor; replaced all 4 O2 sensors (though 2 WERE bad); had the cat convertor/exhaust inspected; Intake manifold looked at.

I was FED up, and for a while just gave up trying. But, then I remembered I have emissions inspection in February - so I bought an EGR valve, only to find out 2 weeks later that it wasn't the EGR valve (though the code said it was) - turned out to be a cracked MAP sensor and a clogged IAC valve (don't know if you have this).

So, in other words, don't get fed up and spend the $200 unless you look into other areas more closely.

Good luck!

[Ramblin Fever]

FWIW - I still have my old EGR valve with 164k miles on it's clock; at some point in the next 2yrs, it was probably going to need replaced anyways. It's in REAL bad shape, and I can't get it any cleaner.

[VinceH]

thanks for the feed back. I'll have to dig into some other area's to find the problem.