GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 50808  Size: MF
Engine Controls Components
Engine Data Sensors
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

An Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system lowers the Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) emission levels that are caused by high combustion temperatures. This is accomplished by feeding small amounts of exhaust gases back into the combustion chamber. When the air/fuel mixture is diluted with the exhaust gases, the combustion temperatures are reduced.

A linear EGR valve is used on this system. The linear EGR valve is designed to accurately supply exhaust gases to the engine without the use of the intake manifold vacuum. The valve controls the exhaust flow going into the intake manifold from the exhaust manifold through an orifice with a PCM controlled pintle. The PCM controls the pintle position by using inputs from the Throttle Position (TP) sensor and the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor. The PCM then commands the EGR valve to operate when necessary by controlling an ignition signal through the PCM. This can be monitored on a scan tool as the Desired EGR Position.

The PCM monitors the results of the command through a feedback signal. By sending a 5 volt reference and a ground to the EGR valve, a voltage signal representing the EGR valve pintle position travels to the PCM. This feedback signal can also be monitored on a scan tool and is the actual position of the EGR pintle. The Actual EGR Position should always be near the commanded or the Desired EGR Position.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • DTCs P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0200, P0300-P0304, P0335, P0440, P0442, P0446, P0502, P0506, P0507, P1336 and P1441 are not set.
    • The ignition voltage is greater than 11.7 V.
    • The EGR commanded OFF (Desired EGR Position is 0 percent).
    • The actual EGR Position is greater than 15 percent for 20 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will illuminate.
    • The PCM will record operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The Freeze Frame and Failure Records buffers will store this information.
    • A history DTC is stored
    • The EGR Valve is disabled.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The MIL will turn OFF after three consecutive ignition cycles in which the diagnostic runs without a fault.
    • A history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm up cycles without a fault.
    • A scan tool clears the DTCs.

Test Description

Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.

  1. The Powertrain OBD System Check prompts the technician to complete some basic checks and store the freeze frame and failure records data on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data taken when the malfunction occurred. The information is then stored on the scan tool for later reference.

  2. Commanding the EGR valve open determines whether the EGR system can control the EGR valve accurately and if the malfunction is present.

  3. When the EGR valve electrical connector is disconnected, the scan tool should display the Actual EGR Position as 0%. If it does not, the malfunction lies either in the EGR signal circuit or the PCM.

  4. If the EGR valve 5.0 volt reference is shorted to voltage, the DVM will read battery voltage and additional DTCs may be set and engine performance will be poor.

  5. The replacement PCM must be reprogrammed and the crankshaft position system variation procedure must be performed. Refer to the latest Techline procedures for PCM reprogramming and the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) portion of the service manual for the Crankshaft Position System Variation Procedure .

  6. A poor electrical connection may have caused this DTC to set. The test light will still illuminate if the circuit is OK but the terminal connection was poor. Be sure to check the terminals for being backed out, improperly formed or damaged, and for poor tension.

  7. All circuits to the EGR valve are OK at this point. The malfunction lies internally in the EGR valve and therefore must be replaced. Be sure all gasket material is removed from the EGR mounting surface. Even a small amount of material may cause a DTC P0401 to set. Refer to the Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve Replacement for theOn Vehicle Service of the EGR valve.

  8. Check the terminals for being backed out, improperly formed or damaged, and for poor tension.

  9. Clearing the DTCs is a very important step for this diagnostic. The clearing function allows the EGR valve to relearn a new pintle position as the old position was inaccurate due to the malfunction that caused the DTC. The DTC must be cleared with the ignition switch ON, with the engine OFF or when the engine is idling. If the PCM sees a EGR command, the new pintle position will not be learned.

  10. If no malfunctions have been found at this point and no additional DTCs were set, refer to the Diagnostic Aids for additional checks and information.

DTC P1404 - Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve Closed Pintle Position

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to

Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

  1. Turn the ignition switch ON, with the engine OFF.
  2. Install a scan tool.
  3. Command the EGR valve to the specified values.

Does theActual EGR Position follow the Desired EGR Position?

0%, 20%, 50%, 70%, 100%

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 3

3

Disconnect the EGR valve electrical connector.

Is the Actual EGR Position near the specified value?

100%

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4

Check the EGR valve signal circuit for a short to voltage and repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 6

5

Connect a DVM to ground and probe the EGR valve 5.0 V reference circuit terminal at the EGR valve electrical connector.

Does the DVM read near the specified value?

5.0 V

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 8

6

Replace the PCM.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

7

  1. Connect the J 34142-B test light to ground.
  2. Probe the EGR valve ignition feed circuit terminal at the EGR valve electrical connector.

Does the test light illuminate?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

8

Check the EGR valve 5.0 V reference circuit for a short to voltage and repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 6

9

Check the EGR valve ignition feed circuit for a short to voltage and repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 6

10

Connect a test light to B+ and probe the EGR valve sensor ground circuit terminal.

Does the test light illuminate?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 12

11

Check the EGR valve sensor ground circuit terminal for a poor connection at the EGR valve electrical connector and repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 13

12

Check the EGR valve sensor ground circuit for an open and repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 14

13

Replace the EGR valve.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 15

--

14

Check the PCM electrical connector for a poor connection and repair as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 6

15

  1. Using the scan tool, clear the DTCs.
  2. Start the engine and idle at normal operating temperature.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the conditions for setting this DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the scan tool indicate that this diagnostic ran and passed?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 2

16

Check if any additional DTCs are set.

Are any DTCs displayed that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to the applicable DTC table

System OK, refer to Diagnostic Aids