Expert: Roland Finston - 10/17/2011

Question
QUESTION: have '03 concorde limited 3.5 high output.. getting p0401.. replaced the purge solenoid. no go.. replaced gas cap .. no go.. need i pull the egr valve and check for blockage? when warm the purge solenoid only cycles a couple of time and stops..
thanks

ANSWER: Hi Brian,
I would suggest that you do remove the egr and clean it out and if possible try moving the valve stem as that when it gets cruddy caused it either to remain ajar or not open. I will check the manual to see if there is anything else and let you know with a revised answer.
Roland

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QUESTION: not to  sound dense.. this egr valve actuated by a vacuum solenoid? i don't have a pump available. suggestions on tying to move the valve stem.. something i can do with say.. needlenose?

Answer
Hi Brian,
I am a bit short-handed on the '03 set up. My '04 manual does have a section about the egr, but on the other hand when I look at the wiring diagrams for the fuel system I don't see any provision for an egr control circuit. So I wonder whether you even have an egr? But that is the subject of the 0401 code in the '04 powertrain manual. Sorry to not have anything specific about the '03 set-up.  If you have an egr it is doubtless controlled by an electical solenoid, not a vacuum solenoid. I haven't actually seen the latter type of egr 'in person' to know if the valve stem is exposed as it was in the earlier days of egr's. So take a look for an egr at the rear of the engine, under the throttle body. It would have a pipe coming from the right side exhaust mainfold and it would have a pair of pipes feeding the intake manifolds. Please let me know what you determine. Are you certain the code is 0401 and what led you to focus on the evap purge solenoid?
Roland