GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 154592  Size: MF
Engine Controls Components
MAF, IAC, EGR, and EVAP
OBD II Symbol Description Notice

Circuit Description

The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve pintle position sensor circuit provides EGR valve opening information to the PCM. The powertrain control module (PCM) supplies a 5 volt reference and a ground circuit for the EGR pintle position sensor. The EGR pintle position sensor varies the voltage relative to the amount commanded by the EGR. The PCM monitors the EGR pintle position sensor input to ensure that the EGR valve responds properly to commands from the PCM and to detect a fault. If the PCM detects an excessively low EGR pintle position signal voltage, DTC P0405 is set.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • None of the following DTCs are set:
      • Throttle position (TP) sensor DTCs
      • Intake air temperature (IAT) sensor DTCs
      • Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor DTCs
      • Mass air flow (MAF) sensor DTCs
      • Heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) DTCs
    • the required engine run time is met. The time ranges from 45 seconds to 8.5 minutes depending upon the ECT at startup.
    • The TP angle is greater than 2%.
    • The system voltage is more than 10 volts.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The EGR feedback is less than 0.14 volt at any time.
    • The condition is present for more than 20 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the second consecutive trip in which the diagnostic test has run and failed.
    • The PCM disables the EGR for the rest of the ignition cycle.
    • The PCM stores the conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame and Fail Records data.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The PCM turns the MIL off during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has run and passed.
    • The history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.
    • The DTC may be cleared by using the scan tool Clear Info function or by disconnecting the PCM battery feed.

Diagnostic Aids

    • A faulty connection at the PCM or the EGR valve. Inspect the harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and faulty terminal to wire connections.
    • Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, connect a digital multimeter (DMM) and test the circuit continuity while moving the connectors and wiring harnesses related to the EGR valve. A change in the DMM display indicates the location of the malfunction.

Test Description

The number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table:

  1. Verifies that the malfunction is present.

  2. If DTC P0405 only sets under certain conditions, the malfunction may be intermittent. Refer to Diagnostic Aids. If an intermittent wiring problem is not present, test for a faulty connection at the powertrain control module (PCM) or the EGR valve.

  3. This vehicle is equipped with a PCM which utilizes an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). When the PCM is replaced, the new PCM must be programmed.

DTC P0405 - EGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit Low Voltage

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?

--

Go to Step  2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

  1. Turn on the ignition switch.
  2. Select the scan tool EGR valve output control function.
  3. Increment the EGR valve through all positions while comparing the Desired EGR Position to the Actual EGR Position.

Does the Desired EGR Position remain close to the Actual EGR Position at all commanded positions?

--

Go to Step  3

Go to Step 4

3

  1. Review and record the scan tool Fail Records data.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Fail Records conditions.
  3. Use the scan tool in order to monitor the Specific DTC info for DTC P0405.

Does the scan tool indicate DTC P0405 Failed This Ign?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Diagnostic Aids

4

  1. Disconnect the EGR valve electrical connector.
  2. Use a digital multimeter (DMM) in order to measure the voltage between the EGR pintle position sensor ground circuit and the 5 volt reference B circuit at the EGR valve connector.

Is the voltage equal to the specified value?

5 V

Go to Step 5

Go to Step  9

5

Use a test lamp connected to B+ in order to probe the EGR valve pintle position circuit at the EGR valve harness connector.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Connect a jumper between the 5 volt reference B circuit and the pintle position circuit at the EGR valve connector.
  2. Use the scan tool in order to observe the Actual EGR Position.

Is the Actual EGR Position equal to the specified value?

100%

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Turn off the ignition switch.
  2. Disconnect the PCM.
  3. Test for an open in the EGR pintle position circuit.
  4. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step  19

Go to Step 17

8

  1. Turn off the ignition switch.
  2. Disconnect the PCM.
  3. Use a test lamp connected to B+ in order to probe the EGR valve pintle position circuit.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 15

9

Use a test lamp connected to B+ in order to probe the 5 volt reference B circuit.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 11

10

  1. Turn off the ignition switch.
  2. Disconnect the PCM.
  3. Use a test lamp connected to B+ in order to probe the 5 volt reference B circuit.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 18

11

  1. Test for an open in the 5 volt reference B circuit between the PCM and the EGR valve.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step  19

Go to Step 17

12

Locate and correct the short to ground in the EGR valve pintle position circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 19

--

13

  1. Test for the following conditions:
  2. • A faulty terminal connection at the EGR valve.
    • The EGR pintle position signal circuit shorted to the EGR valve control circuit.
  3. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step  19

Go to Step 14

14

Replace the EGR valve. Refer to Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve Replacement .

Notice: If the EGR valve shows signs of excessive heat, inspect the exhaust system for blockage--possibly a plugged converter--using the procedure found on the Restricted Exhaust System Check. If the exhaust system is restricted, repair the cause. Inspect for an open injector caused by one or more of the following conditions:

   • Stuck
   • Grounded driver circuit
   • Possible faulty control module
If one of the above conditions is found, inspect the oil for possible fuel contamination.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 19

--

15

  1. Test the EGR valve pintle position circuit for a short to the sensor ground circuit.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step  19

Go to Step 18

16

Locate and repair a short to ground in the 5 volt reference B circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 19

--

17

  1. Inspect the circuits related to the EGR valve for a faulty terminal connection at the PCM.
  2. If a problem is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step  19

Go to Step 18

18

Important:: The replacement PCM must be programmed. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming .

Replace the PCM.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 19

--

19

  1. Review and record the scan tool Fail Records data.
  2. Clear any DTCs.
  3. Operate the vehicle within the Fail Records conditions.
  4. Use a scan tool in order to monitor the Specific DTC info for DTC P0405.

Does the scan tool indicate DTC P0405 Failed This Ign?

--

Go to Step 2

System OK