Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting CEL CODE 0401 Pl. help

Hello Guys

I have a 96 Contour LX 2.5L with 72000 miles

I had the CEL come on a couple of months back.
Did a scan and the code that came out was
0401 (Insufficient EGR flow)

Since then I have changed the following
EGR Solenoid (CEL back shortly after this change. Code still reads 0401)
EGR Valve (CEL back shortly after this change. Code still reads 0401)
DPFE Sensor (CEL back shortly after this change. CEL code still reads 0401)

After each change CEL pops back after a couple of days of driving. Bottom line the CEL light keeps comming eventhough I have all brand new parts in the EGR circuit.

I am clueless about what I need to do further here . Anybody have some thoughts, ideas to help me?

Thanks
Ken

Only other thing *I* can think of is the orifice tube is clogged up and needs some cleaning.

John

Maybe a vacuum line was left off during one of your repairs? Or maybe one of the lines is clogged?

EGR passages clogged up, especially around the throttle body assembly. You will have to take that apart to examine it closely. Mine had the same problem and the egr passage below the throttle body that is molded within the same body, was clogged with all sorts of carbon and soot. I had to brush it out and sprayed TB cleaner. This is a maintenance item that needs to be done on our cars, generally around 50 to 60k; sometimes sooner depending on your emissions. Some folks do it sooner, especially after encountering problems with their CAT because if the right CAT clogs up, the exhaust and other goodies will find their way through the EGR passages and build up the grime sooner.

Ding ding ding! what do we have for him Johnny?!?

I'd say there's a 9 out of 10 chance that's it. I cleaned my wife's 95 LX at 90k Miles and the EGR ports behind the TB where completely clogged. That would give you that CEL code for sure. Order a TB gasket from Bill Jenkins and clean that sucker out. Heck, while your in there, you should do the Intake overhaul (how-to on contour.org). It'll make a world of difference! BTW, Use Valvolines Syntec carb/tb cleaner, it blows away everything else I've used.

Well I hope your right 96Tour but what I want to know is this, when you did each repair did you erase the computer with the scan tool?