An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system is used in order to lower oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emission levels caused by high combustion temperatures. The EGR accomplishes this by feeding small amounts of exhaust gases back into the combustion chamber. When the air/fuel mixture is diluted with the exhaust gases, combustion temperatures are reduced.
A linear EGR valve is used on this system. The linear EGR valve is designed in order to accurately supply exhaust gases to the engine without the use of intake manifold vacuum. The valve controls exhaust flow going into the intake manifold from the exhaust manifold through an orifice with a control module controlled pintle valve. The control module commands the EGR by applying a 12 volt duty cycle to the EGR valve. This can be monitored on a scan tool as desired EGR position.
The control module can monitor the pintle position with the EGR pintle position signal. This sensor uses a variable resistor with a 5 volt reference, a signal circuit, and a ground. The signal circuit monitors changes in voltage on the variable resistor as the pintle moves.
The VCM will set a DTC P0405 if an unusually low pintle position signal voltage is detected for a calibrated period of time.
The ignition voltage is more than 5 volts to enable the diagnostic or less than 4 volts to disable the diagnostic.
The EGR feedback signal voltage is less than 0.12 volts for 10 seconds.
• | The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) if a failure is detected during 2 consecutive key cycles. |
• | The control module sets the DTC and records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic failed. The failure information is stored in the scan tool Freeze Frame/Failure Records. |
• | The control module turns OFF the MIL after 3 consecutive drive trips when the test has run and passed. |
• | A history DTC will clear if no fault conditions have been detected for 40 warm-up cycles. A warm-up cycle occurs when the coolant temperature has risen 22°C (40°F) from the startup coolant temperature and the engine coolant reaches a temperature that is more than 70°C (158°F) during the same ignition cycle. |
• | Use a scan tool in order to clear the DTCs. |
Be sure to check for intermittents.
An intermittent may be caused by any of the following conditions:
• | A poor connection |
• | Rubbed through wire insulation |
• | A broken wire inside the insulation |
Thoroughly check any circuitry that is suspected of causing the intermittent complaint. Refer to Intermittents and Poor Connections Diagnosis in Wiring Systems.
If a repair is necessary, refer to Wiring Repairs or Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
Commanding the EGR valve open determines whether the EGR system can control the EGR valve accurately and if the condition is present.
Jumping the 5 volt reference circuit to the signal circuit checks the signal circuit and VCM.
The 5 volt reference of the VCM supply is shared by the MAP, TP, FTP and EGR sensors. A short in any of the sensors' 5 volt reference circuits or an internally shorted sensor will cause this DTC to set.
A 5 volt reference circuit short to the EGR valve feed control circuit will ground through the EGR valve when the EGR valve harness connector is connected.
Check the terminals for being backed out, improperly formed, damaged and for poor tension.
The replacement VCM must be programmed and the Crankshaft Position System Variation Learn Procedure must be performed. Refer to the latest Techline procedures for VCM programming.
Clearing the DTCs is a very important step for this diagnostic. The clearing function allows the EGR valve to relearn a new minimum pintle position.
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Important: Before clearing the DTCs, use the scan tool Capture Info to save the Freeze Frame and Failure Records for reference. The control module's data is deleted once the Clear Info function is used. Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check? | -- | ||||||||
2 |
Is the voltage more than the specified value? | 0.12 V | ||||||||
Command the EGR valve to the specified values. Does the Actual EGR Position follow the Commanded EGR Position? | 20%, 50%, 70%, 100% | |||||||||
4 | This DTC is intermittent. Are there any additional DTCs stored? | -- | Go to the applicable DTC table | Go to Diagnostic Aids | ||||||
5 |
Is the voltage less than the specified value? | 4.7 V | ||||||||
Jumper the EGR valve 5 volt reference circuit to the EGR valve pintle position signal circuit. Does the Actual EGR Position display the specified value? | 100% | |||||||||
7 | Probe the EGR valve pintle position signal circuit at the EGR valve harness connector with a test lamp connected to B+. Is the test lamp ON? | -- | ||||||||
8 |
Did you find a problem? | -- | ||||||||
Is the voltage more than the specified value after any of the sensors was disconnected? | 4.7 V | |||||||||
10 |
Is the action complete? | 4.7 V | -- | |||||||
Check for a short between the EGR valve 5 volt reference circuit and the EGR valve feed control circuit. Did you find a problem? | -- | |||||||||
12 | With the sensors disconnected, check for a short to ground in the EGR valve 5 volt reference circuit. Did you find a problem? | -- | ||||||||
13 | Check for a short between EGR valve pintle position signal circuit and the EGR valve feed control circuit. Did you find a problem? | -- | ||||||||
14 | Check the 5 volt reference and the EGR valve pintle position signal circuits for a poor connection or proper terminal tension. Did you find a problem? | -- | ||||||||
15 | Replace the EGR valve. Refer to Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |||||||
16 | Check for a short to ground in the EGR valve pintle position signal circuit. Did you find a problem? | -- | ||||||||
17 | Check for an open in the EGR valve pintle position signal circuit. Did you find a problem? | -- | ||||||||
18 | Repair the circuit as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs or Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |||||||
Did you find a problem? | -- | |||||||||
Is the action complete? | -- | -- | ||||||||
Does the scan tool indicate the diagnostic Passed? | -- | |||||||||
22 | Does the scan tool display any additional undiagnosed DTCs? | -- | Go to the applicable DTC table | System OK |