Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System Description. Geo Prizm 1997

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Geo 🢒 1997 🢒 Prizm 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 1.6L 🢒 Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System Description

The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system controls the formation of NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) emissions by recirculating the exhaust gases into the combustion chamber. NOx emissions increase with higher combustion temperatures. Controlling high combustion chamber temperatures will limit the formation of NOx emissions. Mixing exhaust gases with the incoming air/fuel mixture modifies the combustion process, resulting in lower combustion chamber temperatures. The EGR system lowers combustion chamber temperatures by admitting controlled amounts of exhaust gas into the intake manifold.


(1)	Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve
(2)	EGR Solenoid Vacuum Valve
(3)	EGR Back Pressure Sensor

Operation of the EGR valve is controlled by the powertrain control module (PCM). The PCM uses the EGR solenoid vacuum valve in order to control the vacuum signal to the EGR back pressure sensor. The EGR back pressure sensor regulates the vacuum signal to the EGR valve. The EGR valve opening is controlled by the vacuum signal. The EGR solenoid vacuum valve is turned ON when the PCM senses various inputs from the engine information sensors.

A diaphragm located in the EGR back pressure sensor, opens and closes an internal valve in the sensor. The EGR back pressure sensor diaphragm is operated by back-pressure from the exhaust port at the base of the EGFR valve. The internal valve of the EGR back pressure sensor controls the amount of vacuum that is transmitted thru the EGR back pressure sensor to the EGR valve. Therefore exhaust back-pressure regulates the opening and closing of EGR valve. The relationship between exhaust back pressure and EGR valve flow is charted in the following table:

EGR Valve Flow

Exhaust Back Pressure	EGR Valve Opening	Exhaust Gas Flow
Low	Small	Low
High	Large	High

High speed driving will typically create high exhaust back-pressure and therefore large EGR valve flow. Low speed driving will usually result in little EGR valve flow.

The EGR valve will not open when the EGR solenoid vacuum valve is closed. The EGR solenoid vacuum valve is closed under the following conditions:

•	The engine coolant temperature is low.

•	The throttle valve opening is less than the specified value (determined by the PCM).

•	The vehicle is stopped.

•	The engine is running under high load conditions.

When the EGR solenoid vacuum valve is open, the EGR valve opens and closes in accordance with the EGR back pressure sensor operation.

Results Of Incorrect Operation of the EGR System

Excessive EGR valve flow may cause any of the following conditions:

•	The engine stalling

•	Rough idle, surging, or engine hesitation

•	Lower fuel economy

•	Incomplete combustion and high exhaust emissions

Inadequate EGR valve flow may cause any of the following conditions:

•	Engine detonation

•	Excessive exhaust emissions