Hello,

I'm starting this new thread to discuss an EGR valve error code from a previous thread regarding my A/C. The following was copied and pasted into this new thread:

About a week or so ago my check engine light came on. At about the same time I noticed my engine was pinging when cold end even sometimes when warm. I also experienced one misfire the other day as well as the issue with the a/c. Worst of all was the deterioration of my fuel economy within the last three days.

I finally got my car to the auto zone to have it checked out. It came back showing a bad EGR valve. It made sense as the symptoms i was experiencing was that of a bad EGR valve including the engine running hotter. The tech reset the error code and the cel went off.

I came across a thread from this site showing a youtube video showing someone checking the EGR valve by pressing down on the vacuum plunger while placing their finger over the vacuum outlet. When the plunger is released while still plugging the vacuum outlet the plugger remains in place, mostly. When the finger is removed the plugger goes back to its original position. This shows a good valve.

I checked my EGR with this method and it checked out fine. However, the valve was fairly clogged. I cleaned it and as well as soaking it in cleaner for a while. Afterwards the car started fine with no pinging and a smother idle. I'll check over the next few days to see how all works including the a/c.


Getting back to the ERG valve for a moment. The cel came back on a few days after if was cleared and I cleaned the ERG valve. I took the car back to AZ and the tech told me it was the ERG sensor or the valve. Well the sensor in part of the EGR valve. Even though the valve holds a vacuum apparently the sensor on the valve is bad.

The readout they gave my showed: error P0401

Probable cause:
aa1 - Faulty ERG valve
aa2 - Blocked EGR passages in engine

Thanks for your help.

 

Your 97 Accord V6 has a removable EGR port service plate that makes for pretty easy cleaning. See attached pics.

 

Hello,

Thanks for the help redbull-1. As you can all see the ports were all clogged up. The photos speak for themselves. When I started the car after cleaning the ports it took a few cranks before it started. The car runs a little smother then before though I haven't taken it for a drive yet and the cel remained on. What's the procedure for clearing a cel? The last time I took it to AZ they forgot to clear the cel.

Thanks for you time.

 

To reset the ECM. Turn off ignition. Pull the No. 39 (7.5A) back up fuse located in the under-hood fuse/relay box for about 10 seconds. See pics.

You may need the radio code if the radio is stock.

I also attached another pic. with info. regarding cleaning the EGR port for your V6.

 

Disconnecting the negative battery cable or using an OBD-II code reader/scanner (if available) would reset it. However, pulling the fuse can be done without tools or equipment.