GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provide an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0403: Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Solenoid Control Circuit

DTC P0404: Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Open Position Performance

DTC P0405: Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Position Sensor Circuit Low Voltage

DTC P0406: Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Position Sensor Circuit High Voltage

DTC P042E: Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Closed Position Performance

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Ignition 1 Voltage

1

P0403, P0405

--

P0404, P042E

Solenoid Control

P0402

P0403, P0404

P0403, P0404

P0404, P042E

5-Volt Reference

P0107, P0405, P0452, P0651, P2077, P2106

P0405

P0107, P0446, P0453, P0651, P2106

--

EGR Position Sensor Signal

P0405

P0405

P0406

P0404, P042E

Low Reference

--

P0406

--

--

1. Engine cranks but does not run and the fuse for the ignition 1 circuit opens.

Typical Scan Tool Data

EGR Position Sensor

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Operating Conditions: Engine operating in Closed Loop

Parameter Normal Range: 0-4%

Ignition 1 Voltage

--

--

--

Solenoid Control

99%

--

--

5-Volt Reference

0%

0%

99%¹

EGR Position Sensor Signal

0%

0%

99%¹

Low Reference

--

0%

--

¹ Internal ECM damage may occur if the circuit is shorted to B+.

Circuit Description

Voltage is provided to the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve by the ignition 1 voltage circuit through a fuse. Ground is provided to the EGR valve on the control circuit by a low side driver within the engine control module (ECM). The ECM monitors the voltage on the control circuit of the EGR valve to determine if a failure is present.

The ECM monitors the position of the EGR valve through the EGR valve position sensor. The EGR valve position sensor sends a feedback voltage on the signal circuit to the ECM. The EGR position sensor voltage varies depending on the position of the EGR valve.

The EGR valve utilizes the following circuits:

    • An ignition 1 voltage circuit
    • A control circuit
    • A 5-volt reference circuit
    • A signal circuit
    • A low reference circuit

Conditions for Running the DTC

P0403, P0404, and P042E

    • DTCs P0112, P0113, P0405, P0406, P0502, P0562, and P0563 are not set.
    • The engine is running.
    • The intake air temperature (IAT) is between 3-80°C (37-176°F).
    • The ignition voltage is between 11-16 volts.
    • The Desired EGR position is greater than 0 percent and does not change more than 3 percent - DTC P0404 only.
    • The DTCs run continuously when the above conditions are met.

P0405 and P0406

    • The engine is running.
    • The ignition voltage is between 11-16 volts.
    • The DTC runs continuously when the above conditions are met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0403

The ECM detects an open, short to ground or voltage on the control circuit of the EGR valve.

P0404

The ECM detects a difference between the actual EGR position and the commanded EGR position of more than 15 percent.

P0405

The ECM detects that the EGR position sensor percentage is less than 2 percent.

P0406

The ECM detects that the EGR position sensor percentage is greater than 98 percent.

P042E

The ECM detects the difference between the actual EGR position and the learned EGR position is greater than 10 percent.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • DTCs P0403, P0405, and P0406 are Type A DTCs.
    • DTCs P0404 and P042E are Type B DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • DTCs P0403, P0405, and P0406 are Type A DTCs.
    • DTCs P0404 and P042E are Type B DTCs.

Diagnostic Aids

    • If a shared 5-volt reference circuit is shorted to ground or shorted to a voltage, other 5-volt reference circuits may be affected.
    • The scan tool 5 volt reference parameter should display between 4.8-5.2 volts.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

    •  Engine Control Module Connector End Views
    •  Engine Controls Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System Description

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions
    •  Scan Tool Output Controls

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, observe the DTC information with a scan tool. Verify DTC P0651 is not set.
  2. If DTC P0651 is set, refer to DTC P0641 or P0651 .

    Important: The scan tool EGR Position Sensor parameter will display less than 100 percent when the EGR is commanded to 100 percent.

  3. Ignition ON, observe the EGR Position Variance parameter while commanding the EGR valve to 100 percent. The reading should be less than 15 percent.
  4. Engine running, observe the EGR position sensor percentage parameter. The reading should be less than 4 percent.
  5. If the vehicle passes the Circuit/System Verification test, then operate the vehicle within the conditions for running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that are captured in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records List.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector of the EGR valve.
  2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ignition 1 voltage circuit and ground.
  3. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ignition 1 voltage circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the ignition 1 voltage circuit fuse is open, test all components connected to the ignition 1 voltage circuit and replace as necessary.
  4. Ignition OFF, verify a test lamp does not illuminate between the control circuit and B+.
  5. If test lamp illuminates, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit/connections test normal, replace the ECM.

    Important: The scan tool EGR Position Sensor parameter will display less than 100 percent when the EGR is commanded to 100 percent.

  6. Ignition ON, with a scan tool, command the EGR valve to 100 percent. The test lamp should illuminate.
  7. If test lamp does not illuminate, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit/connections test normal, replace the ECM.
  8. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the low reference circuit and ground.
  9. If greater than the specified value, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit/connections test normal, replace the ECM.
  10. Ignition ON, test for 4.8-5.2 volts between the 5-volt reference circuit and ground.
  11. If less than the specified range, test the 5-volt reference circuit for a short to ground or open/high resistance. If the circuit/connections test normal, replace the ECM.
    If greater than the specified range, test the 5-volt reference circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit/connections test normal, replace the ECM.
  12. Ignition ON, verify that the EGR position sensor parameter is less than 3 percent.
  13. If greater than the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit/connections test normal, replace the ECM.
  14. Ignition ON, install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit and the 5-volt reference circuit. Verify that the EGR position sensor parameter is greater than 95 percent.
  15. If less than the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit/connections test normal, replace the ECM.
  16. If all circuits/connections test normal, test or replace the EGR valve.

Component Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector of the EGR valve.
  2. Measure for 6-10 ohms of resistance between the ignition 1 voltage and control circuit terminals of the EGR valve.
  3. If the resistance is out of the specified range, replace the EGR valve.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve Replacement
    •  Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup, and programming