EGR Valve for 2000 Grand Prix Error Code

SulkierLizard · #1 01-24-2010, 02:43 AM

Hi, I am new to this forum and am looking for some advice. I have a 2000 Grand Prix 3.1 Cylinder with around 125,000 miles.

My service engine light came on for a few days and then suddenly shut off for a about a day. Now, it has been on for almost 2 weeks. I took it to Autozone and they told me it was reading 3 error codes all having to do with the EGR valve. The only thing I have noticed is whenever I first start the engine it quickly goes to around 1,000 RPM then quickly back down to 500 RPM at which point it sounds like it is going to stall, but then it kind of picks itself up just a bit and stays consistent. Could this also be an IACV or would that have shown up also when I had it read at Autozone?

Thanks.

UPDATE: I ended up taking it to a shop and they fixed it for $120. The SEL light it out and I have had no problems! Not sure what they did. They did bill me $6 for a "cleaner", though.

BNaylor · #2 01-24-2010, 02:59 AM

Welcome to AF.

How about posting the 3 diagnostic trouble codes (DTC)?

Try cleaning the IAC pintle assembly and the seat on the throttle body where the IAC inserts. When you get IAC issues a code may not set even though the IAC counts are low or high or you have an abnormal idle.

SulkierLizard · #3 01-24-2010, 03:02 AM

Thanks BNaylor.

I actually didn't get the codes (Sorry, I know I should have). He did say they were all pointing toward the EGR valve and one of them being the "EGR Flow" or something similar to that extent.

kjlundgren · #4 01-24-2010, 04:16 AM

The EGR valve is either stuck open or stuck shut. I've have had two cars do that on me and it's not that bad of a job. You can either replace it or soak it for about 12 hours in a bath of WD-40 or something similar and it should get all the gunk out of there and free up the little piston inside.

Get a Haynes manual for your car from autozone, it'll help more than you can imagine.

SulkierLizard · #5 01-24-2010, 04:34 AM

Okay, I think I will try that this upcoming weekend. I don't really notice any degradation while I'm driving so I'm assuming it's stuck close. I read if it's stuck open it will pretty much cause too much exhaust to mix all the time and my car will stall while idling.

What do you think of this video as far as cleaning the IAC? It seems quick and dirty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i82s4ZfR2js

BNaylor · #6 01-24-2010, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SulkierLizard

I actually didn't get the codes (Sorry, I know I should have).

Best to go back to Autozone as long as the SES/CEL light is still on, rescan and give you the codes. Then post them here.

And I would not assume the EGR valve is the sole cause or cleaning it will resolve your issue without review of the DTCs and further troubleshooting. The part is expensive just to swap it out arbitrarily or worse yet damage the electrical component part if you do not clean it properly.

tblake · #7 01-24-2010, 08:40 PM

I agree with Bob, its best to get the codes and post them for us. The Autozone parts monkeys are there to sell parts. The get commission on the parts they sell so they don't care if what they sell you actually fixes the problem or not. I had one guy scan my car once and it came back with a P0300. He told me "it's probably the ignition controll module" and a new one costed 150.00. I said no thanks.

tblake · #8 01-24-2010, 09:15 PM

And do not do that IAC cleaning in the video. That guy seems like the only reason he's working on his daddy's car is probably because his dad said he can take it to the Sci-Fi convention which he is late for because the car wouldn't start.

Spraying carb cleaner into your intake can damage all sorts of things including your $350.00 Mass Air Flow sensor. Not to mention it can damage the coil windings of the IAC (which is probably why his quit working in the first place). I can almost guarentee that loser did not fix the problem for any more than a few cold startups when all that carb cleaner he sprayed in there finally got burnt off. If he's such a genius why doesn't he replace the IAC in that car himself. It doesn't look so bad.

SulkierLizard · #9 01-25-2010, 04:05 AM

Haha, okay I'm going to go today and get the 3 codes and come back with them.

Yeah, after I posted that I realized it was exactly that "quick and dirty". I just don't think I'm ready to take off my IAC valve and clean it without screwing something up. In fact, I didn't even know it existed until a couple of days ago.

richtazz · #10 01-25-2010, 01:15 PM

parts monkeys...hee hee hee!

SulkierLizard · #11 02-05-2010, 09:02 AM

Sorry for the delay. I haven't had a chance to make it back out to Autozone. I think I'm going to make my way there today. I'm also going to pick up a fuel filter since I'm pretty sure the current fuel filter has been there for a couple of years. Do you happen to know the location of the fuel filter? I'm hoping it's easy to get to.

Thanks.

*Edit*: I went but the guy didn't scan it. I guess I'll have to wait until Sunday. Since it's raining, he told me the moisture could cause the computer to throw wrong codes...dammit!

SulkierLizard · #12 02-06-2010, 02:11 PM

Okay, here are the codes. I got a total of 6 codes, but I'm guessing this might be because I had to go back and get it scanned again?
(2) P0401
(2) P0404
(2) P1404

Thank you.

SulkierLizard · #13 02-06-2010, 03:32 PM

I'm trying to take off the EGR Valve right now. I got the two bolts that mount it, but there seems to be another bolt that I think is holding the EGR pipe in place. Should I remove it? I already have to find the gasket that fell so I want to make sure I make as few mistakes as possible. Thanks!

EDIT: I got the EGR Valve off. I just had to remove that bolt and the pipe came off easily. I got it soaking in carb cleaner right now, well the bottom of the EGR valve anyway. Is this the proper way? Thank you.

BNaylor · #14 02-07-2010, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SulkierLizard

Okay, here are the codes. I got a total of 6 codes, but I'm guessing this might be because I had to go back and get it scanned again?
(2) P0401
(2) P0404
(2) P1404

Thank you.

The P0401 DTC is an EGR flow test issue. Check the PCV valve and grommet at the valve cover. Also, all vacuum lines at the throttle body and intake manifold. Especially at the MAP sensor behind the upper intake manifold since this is a 3100 V6 engine.

For the P0404 DTC the EGR pintle position error is too large. The desired position versus actual is greater than 15% according to what the PCM module sees. Although cleaning the EGR pintle doesn't hurt this sounds more like a defective EGR valve on the electrical side. Just to be sure check the PCM 5 volt reference signal input at the electrical connector and make sure the 12 volts is there too.

Clean only just the lower half and spring loaded pintle. Also, clean carbon out of the exhaust flange where the EGR mounts. After cleaning the spring loaded pintle lightly spray some WD40 on it and make sure it moves freely. Be sure to use a new gasket during re-install.

SulkierLizard · #15 02-07-2010, 08:33 AM

Okay, I have put the EGR valve back. I noticed that my PCV valve is leaking air! The elbow has a small crack running up it. I put my ear to it and pressed my thumb over it. I could hear the air changing as I kept doing this. The only thing is I can't find where to buy one. I've searched the obvious places (Autozone, Advance, O'Reilly) Any help? The SES light came back on, too. I really want to test and make sure the electrical connector is working first. How exactly do I do this? I have a degree in Electronics Engineering but I have very little experience.

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