Hmmmmm....

[jbilyeu]

So about a week ago, I am going down the road and I glance down at my instrument cluster and almost on cue my Service Engine Soon light came on. I didn't give it much thought since it has happened once before and I fixed it with a fuel system cleaner. I tried that again, the same stuff, and the light didn't go off. I thought ok, disconnected the battery cable, and waited a few minutes, put it back on and still light is on. Took it to Autozone and got it scanned and they told me it was emissions related, but couldn't give me the exact reason due to GM not releasing the code. So I am thinking PCV/ERG valve, considering this is a 2001 Alero GLS Coupe, 3400 series motor, with 50,000 miles on it, and am willing to put money on it that the original valve is on it. Any one got any other ideas, I just don't want to shell out the money and take it to the dealer. Also, does anyone have any idea on how to get your hands on a manual for this year Alero, or when those manuals will come out?

Thanks,

Jon

P.S. Merry Christmas to all.

[mike2002]

pcv is different than egr. pcv shouldn't ever have to be replaced, they almost never go bad. thats bs that they wouldn't give you the code. i have a 01 GLS sedan, and my ses light is on, i went to checkers and scanned it, p1404 (egr valve) i used the scanner myself and pulled the code, then reset the light, came back on like 5 days later. i plan on cleanning the egr instead of replacing it. also, alot of the 01's had calibration errors in the pcm, were it set off the code for no reason. there's a calibration update that will fix it, only a dealer can do it.

id get some throttle body cleaner, clean out the egr, let it soak (do a search for a how to)

then go to checkers, scan it, if it is p1404, clear the code.

the light shouldn't come back on if you cleaned it, but if it does, you have to go to the dealer to get your pcm updated with the new calibrations.

merry CHRISTmas!!! (how's that for being p.c.?)

[jbilyeu]

All right thanks, I think I am going to price it a bit, and if fiscally attainable, I will buy the part and do it myself, however how hard is this and does anyone have access to a how to of how to do this, I did a search and couldn't find anything with much detail to it.

Thanks,

Jon

[midnightalero01]

if you have to get things recalibrated... does the dealer do it free or how much is it... cuz that's prolly why mine is on

[bigd6983]

it really isnt too hard to change out, check ebay for prices, i went to purchase one on ebay and they were on sale for like 39.99 or 34.99..........i checked the manual and it looks straight forward........

[mike2002]

you shouldn't even have to change it, just clean it. im not sure what a dealer charges, ive been putting mine off.


go to this site and see if the calibrations been done...its a extremely common problrem with 01's i guess

http://calid.gm.com/vci/VINEntryPre.do

you have to "allow" popups if it doesn't work, i had to turn off my popup blocker

here's my car, according to this, its been done, twice i think.

Part Number Cal. ID# CVN Description
12586796 12586825 N/A NEW CALIBRATION TO IMPROVE GENERIC SCAN TOOL OPERATION

12222044 12221732 N/A NEW CALIBRATION TO ELIMINATE FALSE P1404 CODES. ALSO CORRECTION FOR AUDIBLE SOUND AND SURGE CONDITION CAUSED BY TCC CYCLING.

12214164 12214068 N/A NEW CALIBRATION TO ELIMINATE FALSE P1404 CODES

12212084 12211726 N/A NEW CALIBRATION TO REDUCE SPARK KNOCK AND
ADDRESS FALSE. SETTING OF DTC P0741.

12211294 12211258 N/A NEW CALIBRATION TO CORRECT SETTING OF FALSE DTC P0141

12207674 12207438 N/A NEW CALIBRATION TO CORRECT SETTING OF FALSE DTC P0420.

12205414 12205272 N/A SOFTWARE CHANGE TO CONTROL UNWANTED IDLE SPEED.

12204614 12204575 N/A NEW CALIBRATION TO ADDRESS HARD STARTING CONDITION.

9356414 9356266 N/A CONTROL MODULE CALIBRATION

so i guess my egr really is bad...

[mike2002]

saw this on GRANDAMGT.com,

"I have a '99 with 86k & I had that code come up earlier this year. I bought a can of valvoline carb, choke, & throttle body cleaner and I sprayed a lot inside the egr valve & let it soak for about 1/2 hour then cleaned it real good with a clean rag. Soaked it & cleaned it again. I haven't had any problems & the code hasn't come back since. I used the same gasket when I put it back in. Total bill: $5 for the carb cleaner. Hope this helps."

you can also get some carb/throttle body cleaner, and spray it in short bursts into the Throttle body while its running, open the butterfly by hand to get it all up in there. make sure the cleaner is safe for plastics.

[turtles_ride]

Theres a link on here that has all the error codes and what they mean, maybe check that out to pinpoint your exact problem.

[jbilyeu]

Thanks guys, but where is my ERG valve? I need step by step instructions, if anyone would be so kind. Thanks

Jon

[mike2002]

found a little more out yesterday. your egr is on the back right of your intake manifold (says 3400 sfi on it) it looks like a small popcan, with a 5 wire plug on the top of it, then it has abouit a 3/4" hose comming out the back of it.

the way to test if its bad...get a ohm meter

test terminals 2 and 4 on the egr
test terminals 1 and 5 on the egr

this is from left to right

if either reveals a open (no continuity) the egr is bad. also check that site i posted to see if your car has the calibrations done to it (2001 thing)

mine is bad from 2 to 4, i ordered a new one yesterday

[MissDevious]

Wow, i'm reading this and it seems to be the same problem i have. I'm told I need the egr system cleaned and the throttle replaced....all for $250! I wish I had the skill and knowledge to do this myself. Could this mechanic be trying to take me for a ride??? <_<

[Youngblood77]

Originally posted by MissDevious@Dec 29 2004, 10:42 PM
Wow, i'm reading this and it seems to be the same problem i have. I'm told I need the egr system cleaned and the throttle replaced....all for $250! I wish I had the skill and knowledge to do this myself. Could this mechanic be trying to take me for a ride??? <_<
I hate to say it, but it does sound like he's trying to take advantage of you, MissDevious. Try cleaning your egr valve as described above, and if that deosn't help your situation, try going to another repair shop for a quote.

[jbilyeu]

On the plus side, my light suddenly went off, after running a couple bottles of emissions cleaner and f.i. cleaner through it. I was pretty relieved. Thanks guys.

Jon

[mike2002]

even if yours is bad, i ordered the part for $45 off ebay (hopefully comming today). there are 3 bolts to take out, should take a total of 20 minutes, the bolts aren't hard to get at, but there not out in the open. definatly somthing anyone can do.

after you change it, go to checkers, autozone, whereever and heve them reset your ses light.

250 is insane. list on the part is like 100 i think, they always upcharge the LIST price (even though they pay like 50) to like 130, then its $70-$90 a hour, then they are probably going to charge you a diagnotics charge to reset your code, another 70ish.....jerks

[FormulaNERD]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...&category=33607 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7945539125&category=33607)

here's a new EGR for cheap if anyone needs it.