EGR Valve 1997 5.0L AWD

[rollinstone]

Got a CEL Code P1409. AutoZone printout says probable cause:

661. Failed EGR vacuum regulator
662. Open or shorted circuit condition

Did an exhaustive search on this with no helpful results. Is the EGR vacumm regulator the same as what is commonly called the "EGR valve?"

Looks like it's located on back of the engine up against the firewall. Lotsa crap in the way. Top bolt easy to access, but the bottom bolt...how am I gonna get that thing off? Even if I can get a wrench on it, doesn't seem likely that there's any room to turn the wrench!

Anyone got any tips on this? Photos?

 

[nssj2]

Had the same code. Many times. Here's what it was.
1st time-egr tube had a crack, resulting in a "clicking" upon a cold start
2nd and 3rd time- Notice the 2 rubber hoses on the back of the EGR tube that go to the DPFE sensor. They both had a small crack, and were leaking.

This is all do-able without a lot of work. Just work by feel. Start the engine, in the AM while the vehicle is cold, and feel for leaks. If nothing, then is the vacuum line going to the top of the EGR.

 

[jremington59]

Does it have an egr tube coming from the pass exhaust manifold? If it has the late 96 motor it will be internal.

For getting off the bottom bolt I cut a wrench very short. Once you get it loose you have to just use your fingers. It helps if you tie the hoses back out of the way. At first I thought it couldn't be done, lol, but it can be. I've had mine off a couple times now.

 

[rollinstone]

Does it have an egr tube coming from the pass exhaust manifold? If it has the late 96 motor it will be internal.

Pretty sure it's a late 97...gotta verify the mfr date...but the valve is there on the back of the engine, so that pretty well tells us it's external.

But ya know what, I was cleaning all my electrical connectors two days ago and just discovered I forgot to reconnect one right next to the EGR valve...haven't run the engine yet today, but I bet that's it!

 

[rollinstone]

But ya know what, I was cleaning all my electrical connectors two days ago and just discovered I forgot to reconnect one right next to the EGR valve...haven't run the engine yet today, but I bet that's it!

Nope...after reconnecting the plug, still getting the CEL...

Can the CEL be reset? How? Or does the offending component need to be replaced first?

 

[jremington59]

Pull your neg battery cable off for a couple minutes. That will turn off the CEL. If the problem isn't fixed it will come back on. It takes a couple drive cycles for the light to go off on it's own after the problems fixed.

 

[rollinstone]

Nope...after reconnecting the plug, still getting the CEL...

Can the CEL be reset? How? Or does the offending component need to be replaced first?

OK...all's well. The CEL came on for the EGR valve code 'cause I forgot to reconnect an electrical connector after cleaning it. I disconnected the NEG battery cable for an hour, and the CEL went out! At least for now...