Question about reoccurring EGR problem.

[88CougarMan]

Ever since I bought the car just about every year it seems like I start throwing codes for the EGR. The first two years I just took it off and cleaned the carbon out of it and it was fine. A year ago I said screw it and bought a whole new one. Now my check engine light is on again and I am wondering what is causing this, I would like to attack the real problem and fix what is causing the EGR to malfunction. Does anybody know what would be causing this?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks Guys.

 

[jrichker]

Exactly what codes are you getting? They all have different reasons and fixes.

 

[88CougarMan]

Crap...I forgot. I just went to autozone and they just tell you a very general code. Should I go to the Ford dealer? Will their diagnostics be more specific?

 

[bmorrisj]

get your own code reader.....not that expensive....

 

[jrichker]

Dump the codes and see what the computer says is wrong…

Here's the link to dump the computer codes with only a jumper wire or paper clip and the check engine light, or test light or voltmeter. I’ve used it for years, and it works great.

See http://www.troublecodes.net/Ford/
OR
See http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html for more descriptive help
OR
See http://www.mustangworks.com/articles/electronics/eec-iv_codes.html

IF your car is an 86-88 stang, you'll have to use the test lamp or voltmeter method. There is no functional check engine light on the 86-88's except possibly the Cali Mass Air cars.

Codes have different answers if the engine is running from the answers that it has when the engine isn't running. It helps a lot to know if you had the engine running when you ran the test.

Trouble codes are either 2 digit or 3 digit, there are no cars that use both 2 digit codes and 3 digit codes.

For those who are intimidated by all the wires & connections, see http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16153 for what a typical hand scanner looks like. Normal retail price is about $30 or so at AutoZone or Walmart.

 

[bigsparky]

I have a similar EGR problem... keeps throwing a code at low rpm then goes away as the rpm rises.. it's annoying