Pontiac P0401 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected

Description

OBD-II Trouble Code Description for P0401 Pontiac

Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected

What does this mean?

OBD2 Code P0401 Pontiac definition:
EGR stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation. It is part of the vehicle emmissions system, and is used to reduce combustion temperature and pressure to control Oxides of Nitrogen. There are generally three parts to the EGR system: the EGR valve, an actuator solenoid, and a differential pressure sensor EGR (DPFE). These things work together to deliver the correct amount of recirculation based on engine temperature, load, etc. The P0401 Pontiac code means that OBD detected an insufficient amount of EGR.

Symptoms

Possible sumptoms of OBD code P0401 Pontiac
You may notice drivability problems such as pinging (a.k.a. pre-ignition knock) when the engine is under load or the vehicle is at higher speeds. There may also be other symptoms.

Causes

Possible causes of OBD code P0401 Pontiac
A code P0401 Pontiac most likely means one or more of the following has happened: ?The DPFE (differential pressure feedback EGR) sensor is faulty and needs to be replaced ?There is a blockage in the EGR (tube), most likely carbon buildup ?The EGR valve is faulty ?The EGR valve may not be opening due to a lack of vaccuum

Possible Solutions

In fixing this code, it is quite common for people to just replace the EGR valve only to have the OBD code return. The EGR valve is not always the culprit. ?Use a vacuum pump and pull the EGR valve open while monitoring engine RPM’s & DPFE voltage. There should be a noticable difference in RPM’s with the EGR open ?Clean out the EGR valve and/or tubing to remove deposits ?Check the voltage at the DPFE, compare to specified values (refer to a repair manual for your specific model) ?Replace the DPFE sensor (with a good quality / OEM one) ?Replace the EGR valve

Related Codes

P0400 Pontiac P0402 Pontiac P0403 Pontiac


The OBD2 Code Information Be Applicable For Pontiac:

2010 Pontiac G8,2009 Pontiac G8,2009 Pontiac G6 ,2009 Pontiac G3,2008 Pontiac G8,2007 Pontiac Solstice SD-290 Concept,2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP,2007 Pontiac G6 GXP Show Car,2006 Pontiac Torrent,2006 Pontiac Solstice,2006 Pontiac Montana SV6,2006 Pontiac GTO,2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe,2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Convertible,2005 Pontiac Vibe GT,2005 Pontiac Montana SV6,2005 Pontiac Grand Prix,2005 Pontiac Grand Am GT Coupe,2005 Pontiac GTO,2005 Pontiac G6 GT,2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP,2004 Pontiac Grand Am GXP,2004 Pontiac GTO 5.7,2004 Pontiac GTO,2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP,2004 Pontiac Aztek Rally,2003 Pontiac Vibe GT,2003 Pontiac Vibe,2003 Pontiac Sunfire Coupe,2003 Pontiac Montana Thunder,2003 Pontiac Grand Prix,2003 Pontiac Grand Am SE Sedan,2003 Pontiac G6 Concept,2003 Pontiac Aztek,2002 Pontiac Sunfire GXP,2002 Pontiac Sunfire American Tuner,2002 Pontiac Solstice Concept,2002 Pontiac REV Concept,2002 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP,2002 Pontiac Grand Prix G-Force Concept,2002 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Edition,2001 Pontiac Vibe GT,2001 Pontiac Vibe,2001 Pontiac Sunfire HO,2001 Pontiac Sunfire Accessorized,2001 Pontiac Montana,2001 Pontiac Grand Prix

 

Note:

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