Questions and Answers

Olds EGR Valve Q. Hey Vincent, Love reading about other peoples problems on your site so figured it's about time I present my problem to you for HELP! I have a 1996 Olds LSS, 3.8 liter, auto, A/C, fuel injected, VIN=K, the works with 125,000 miles on it.

The problem is I keep getting a CHECK ENGINE light coming on after about an hour of driving and the car also may run a little hotter than normal. I got an error code P401, insufficient EGR flow with my OBD-II tester then I put on a new EGR valve. The problem is still there. About 5 months ago I changed the EGR valve because the engine ran rough and I got error code P402, excessive EGR flow.

The dealership didn't charge me for the second EGR valve cause I convinced them they gave me a defective one about 5 months ago. The dealership was also confused about which EGR my car needs. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am about at the point of having another beer, unplugging the engine light and telling the wife the car is fine.

A. According to my information:

1996 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight LSS FWD V6-3800 3.8L VIN K SFI

Parts	OEM Part #	Price
EGR Valve	17113284	$178.32

That should just about match what they gave you.

You have what's called a Linear EGR valve on that engine. The linear EGR valve is designed to accurately supply EGR to an engine independent of intake manifold vacuum. The valve controls EGR flow from the exhaust to the intake manifold through an orifice with a PCM controlled pintle. During operation, the PCM controls pintle position by monitoring the pintle position feedback signal.

What it is basically is an standard EGR valve made so complicated that even the engineers who designed it don't understand it. That is why the Techs are confused about which one your car needs.

Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA