P0405

DTC P0405 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Pintle Position Low Voltage

Circuit Diagram:

Circuit Description
An Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system is used to lower Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emission levels caused by high combustion temperatures. It accomplishes this by feeding small amounts of exhaust gases back into the combustion chamber. When the air/fuel mixture is diluted with the exhaust gases, 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 intake manifold vacuum. The valve controls exhaust flow going into the intake manifold from the exhaust manifold through an orifice with an Engine Control Module (ECM) controlled pintle. The ECM controls the pintle position using inputs from the Throttle Position (TP) and Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensors. The ECM then commands the EGR valve to operate when necessary by controlling an ignition signal through the ECM. This can be monitored on a scan tool as the Desired EGR Position. The ECM monitors the results of its 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 is sent to the ECM. 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 Desired EGR Position. This diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) will detect an open or short circuit.

Conditions for Setting the DTC
- EGR position signal is less than 2%.
- Ignition voltage is between 11.7 and 16 volts.
- Fail condition last more than 10 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
- The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will illuminate.
- The ECM will record operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. This information will be stored in the Freeze Frame and Failure Records buffers.
- A history Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) is stored.
- EGR is disabled.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
- The MIL will turns off after four 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.
- DTC(s) can be cleared by using the scan tool.
- Disconnecting the ECM battery feed for more than 10 seconds.

Diagnostic Aids
Due to moisture associated with exhaust systems, the EGR valve may freeze and stick in cold weather at times. After the vehicle is brought into a warm shop for repairs, the valve warms and the problem disappears. By watching the Actual EGR and Desired EGR Positions on a cold vehicle with a scan tool, the fault can be easily verified. Check the freeze frame data to determine if the DTC set when the vehicle was cold by viewing the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT).

Test Description
Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.
1. The On-Board Diagnostic (OBD II) 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 fault is present.
3. If the EGR valve 5 volt reference is shorted to ground, the digital voltmeter (DVM) will read no voltage and additional DTCs may be set and the engine performance will be poor. When this circuit is open, only a DTC P0405 will be set.
4. Jumpering the 5 volt reference circuit to the signal circuit checks the signal circuit and the ECM. The scan tool should display the Actual EGR Position as 100% if the signal circuit and ECM are OK.
6. Although the ECM and circuitry acted correctly in the previous step, a problem may still lie within the terminals which would not show up in probe type testing. Be sure to check the terminals for being backed out, improperly formed or damaged, and for poor tension.
10. All circuits to the EGR valve are OK at this point. The fault 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.
13. The replacement ECM must be reprogrammed. Refer to the latest Techline procedure for ECM reprogramming.
14. Check the terminals for being backed out, improperly formed or damaged, and for poor tension.
15. Clearing 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 pintle position was inaccurate due to the failure that caused the DTC. The DTC must be cleared with the ignition ON, engine OFF or when the engine is idling. If the ECM sees an EGR command, the new pintle will not be learned.
16. If no malfunctions have been found at this point and no additional DTCs were set, refer to Diagnostic Aids for additional checks and information.

Step 1 - 16: