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DTC P0401: EGR Insufficient Flow

NOTE: Before you troubleshoot, record ail freeze data and any on-board snapshot, and review the general troubleshooting information (see GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION ).
  1. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), or press the engine start/stop button to select the ON mode.
  2. Clear the DTC with the HDS.
  3. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3, 000 RPM without load (A/T in P or N, M/T in neutral) until the radiator fan comes on, then let it idle.
  4. Do the EGR TEST in the INSPECTION MENU with the HDS.

    Is the result OK? 

    YES  - Go to step 5.

    NO  - Go to step  7.

  5. Test-drive under these conditions:
    • Engine coolant temperature (ECT SENSOR 1) above 158°F(70°C)
    • A/T in D, or M/T in 4th
    • Drive at a steady speed between 55- 75 mph (88- 120 km/h) for at least 10 seconds
    • During the drive, decelerate (with the throttle fully closed) for 5 seconds
  6. Monitor the OBD STATUS for DTC P0401 in the DTCs MENU with the HDS.

    Does the screen indicate FAILED? 

    YES  - Clean the intake manifold EGR port and EGR pipe (see EGR PIPE REPLACEMENT  ) with throttle plate cleaner. Also, clean the passage inside the EGR valve with throttle plate cleaner, then go to step  9.

    NO  - If the screen indicates PASSED, intermittent failure, the system is OK at this time. Check for poor connections or loose terminals at the EGR valve and the ECM/PCM. If the screen indicates EXECUTING, keep driving until a result comes on. If the screen indicates OUT OF CONDITION, go to step  5 and recheck.

  7. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0), or press the engine start/stop button to select the OFF mode.
  8. Replace the EGR valve (see EGR VALVE REPLACEMENT  ).
  9. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), or press the engine start/stop button to select the ON mode.
  10. Reset the ECM/PCM with the HDS.
  11. Do the ECM/PCM idle learn procedure (see ECM/PCM IDLE LEARN PROCEDURE ).
  12. Test-drive under these conditions:
    • Engine coolant temperature (ECT SENSOR 1) above 158°F(70°C)
    • A/T in D, or M/T in 4th
    • Drive at a steady speed between 55- 75 mph (88- 120 km/h) for at least 10 seconds
    • During the drive, decelerate (with the throttle fully closed) for 5 seconds
  13. Check for Pending or Confirmed DTCs with the HDS.

    Is DTC P0401 indicated? 

    YES  - Check for poor connections or loose terminals at the EGR valve and the ECM/PCM. If the connections are OK, go to step  15.

    NO  - Go to step 14.

  14. Monitor the OBD STATUS for DTC P0401 in the DTCs MENU with the HDS.

    Does the screen indicate PASSED? 

    YES  - Troubleshooting is complete. If any other Pending or Confirmed DTCs were indicated in step  13, go to the indicated DTC'S TROUBLESHOOTING .

    NO  - If the screen indicates FAILED, check for poor connections or loose terminals at the EGR valve and the ECM/PCM, then go to step  1. If the screen indicates EXECUTING, keep driving until a result comes on. If the screen indicates OUT OF CONDITION, go to step  12.

  15. Update the ECM/PCM if it does not have the latest software (see ECM/PCM UPDATE ), or substitute a known-good ECM/PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE ECM/PCM ).
  16. Test-drive under these conditions:
    • Engine coolant temperature (ECT SENSOR 1) above 158°F(70°C)
    • A/T in D, or M/T in 4th
    • Drive at a steady speed between 55- 75 mph (88- 120 km/h) for at least 10 seconds
    • During the drive, decelerate (with the throttle fully closed) for 5 seconds
  17. Check for Pending or Confirmed DTCs with the HDS.

    Is DTC P0401 indicated? 

    YES  - Check for poor connections or loose terminals at the EGR valve and the ECM/PCM. If the ECM/PCM was updated, substitute a known-good ECM/PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE ECM/PCM ), then go to step  16. If the ECM/PCM was substituted, go to step  1.

    NO  - Go to step 18.

  18. Monitor the OBD STATUS for DTC P0401 in the DTCs MENU with the HDS.

    Does the screen indicate PASSED? 

    YES  - If the ECM/PCM was updated, troubleshooting is complete. If the ECM/PCM was substituted, replace the original ECM/PCM (see ECM/PCM REPLACEMENT ). If any other Pending or Confirmed DTCs were indicated in step  17, go to the indicated DTC'S TROUBLESHOOTING .

    NO  - If the screen indicates FAILED, check for poor connections or loose terminals at the EGR valve and the ECM/PCM. If the ECM/PCM was updated, substitute a known-good ECM/PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE ECM/PCM ), then go to step  16. If the ECM/PCM was substituted, go to step  1. If the screen indicates EXECUTING, keep driving until a result comes on. If the screen indicates OUT OF CONDITION, go to step  16.