Engine "lurches" with CEL 0401

[blacktop]

My 98 Ranger XLT 4.0 had a Check Engine Light. The engine also felt like it was lurching when I was up to speed - no more transmission shifts. I don't know the correct words but it really felt like the transmission would engage and then disengage and again and again and do it rapidly while I really was not accelerating just cruising between 35 - 50 mph. Maybe the fuel was cutting off and on. I took it to Advance Auto and the code was 0401. I replaced the EGR Valve and Sensor and the DPSE Sensor. My neighbor said to disengage the Overdrive Button and I have done that. No fix. I still have this jerking feeling just cruising. I read in this forum that it might be an O2 Sensor. I replaced them around 10,000 miles ago for a different Check Engine Light. I put a lot of highway miles on this truck (80% of 24,000 miles per year). Thank you for any help.

 

[Tbars4]

...I searched and found this...
http://www.obd-codes.com/p0401

In fixing this code, it is quite common for people to just replace the EGR valve only to have the OBD code return. The EGR valve is not always the culprit.

Use a vacuum pump and pull the EGR valve open while monitoring engine RPM's & DPFE voltage. There should be a noticable difference in RPM's with the EGR open
Clean out the EGR valve and/or tubing to remove deposits
Check the voltage at the DPFE, compare to specified values (refer to a repair manual for your specific model)
Replace the DPFE sensor (with a good quality / OEM one)
Replace the EGR valve

 

[blacktop]

I assume the EGR tubing you are talking about is the pipe that is connected to the lower part of the EGR Valve? How do you clean inside that tubing? Just spray with Throttle Body cleaner? I have already replaced the EGR Sensor and the DPFE Sensor. I did clean the throttle body area. It had a lot of carbon just past the flap. I did the best I could with a toothbrush and some Throttle Body cleaner. Thank you for your help.

 

[Tbars4]

...The search button is our friend..
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200086&highlight=clean+egr

 

[blacktop]

TBARS4 thank you for your help. I took the pipe off and cleaned it out with carb cleaner. I also sprayed the hoses that connect to the DPFE Sensor. It really was not that dirty. I went back and cleaned the EGR Valve, EGR Sensor, and the DPFE Sensor. Put it all back together and I would 90% of the lurching is gone. The CEL has not come back on. I will run it for a few weeks and report back. Thanks again.

 

[Tbars4]

...Congrats on fixing that..

..I hate going thru all those parts and getting the same results I had when I started...That is only one reason this forum is the greatest...

 

[blacktop]

Follow-up. The CEL reappeared Monday. This time I took it to the local Ford dealer. I hated to but I was at the end of my list of "to dos". They changed the DPFE Sensor (yes the same one I changed) and the light went out and has run prefectly since (900+ miles). I will be taking the DPFE Sensor back to AutoZone for a refund. I just wanted to follow-up.

 

[Red FX4]

When it comes to parts like that I try to use OEM parts only. Certain aftermarket parts can be hit and miss. It looks like your experience verifies that.

 

[blacktop]

Well I learned on this one. What also sucks is the Ford dealer charged $129.31 for the sensor and wanted to charge me $136 for the labor. Naturally I was not happy since we are talking about 2 screws, 1 plug, 2 lines . They also wanted to charge $70+ for the diagnostics. Never mind that I gave them the code and what it meant. Anyway we settled on $100 total for diagnostics and labor. Still not a good taste. Yeah OEM would have helped on this one.

 

[Tbars4]

...It seems Autozone is getting worse with their parts...There have been a number of "New Part" problems from them lately...