p0401 code EGR Valve/Sensor

[Satellitegirl34]

Hello There:

I apologize if this has been discussed before. I have a 2001 Ford Escape V6. My check engine light went on, I had the code read at Autozone and received the "p0401 code". My dad changed the sensor first and the light came back on. Then he changed the valve and the light is still coming on. Autozone is still getting the p0401 code. Any ideas or suggestions?

[John Licata]

Hi There,

I am experiencing a similar problem. My Autozone Code was a P0402 indicating excessive exhaust gas flow. Chalked it up to a defective EGR Valve which I replaced and cleaned out lines. Reset the CE Light by disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes. No luck, CE light came back on a few days later. I am bringing it in to a Ford Dealer. I'l let you know the outcome.

Originally Posted by Satellitegirl34

Hello There:

I apologize if this has been discussed before. I have a 2001 Ford Escape V6. My check engine light went on, I had the code read at Autozone and received the "p0401 code". My dad changed the sensor first and the light came back on. Then he changed the valve and the light is still coming on. Autozone is still getting the p0401 code. Any ideas or suggestions?

[Satellitegirl34]

I am taking my car to a mechanic tomorrow so he can put my car on his machine and read the code. If it comes back as a bad EGR valve or sensor, I don't know what to do as both parts are new...I will keep you posted.

[RickMN]

Here's more information on how to fix the problem

Cleaning Ford EGR passages

Rick

[Loring57]

Seems I'm in the same boat as everyone else with a Ford Escape. Got the light, got the code, bought the EGR valve, got the light back in less than an hour of driving. Tempted to move ahead and replace the EGR pressure sensor, but I feel like it's just another random purchase that may or may not solve the problem.

[deimos]

easy fix guys; Go to the dealership and purchase a DPFE sensor (Delta Pressure Feedback Sensor) The EGR valve rarely fails it usually is a failed DPFE sensor, the DPFE does not directly talk to the computer like EGR does so if the DPFE fails it causes irregular reading at the EGR thus the engine code and poor gas mileage/ performance. Ford has actually released a Technical Service bulletin stating that the DPFE sensor can and will fail prematurely. so in a hundred words or less if your receiving a code that says insufficient flow or overflow replace DPFE sensor takes 5minutes to fix.

[phantom_smack]

I would definately recomend a factory sensor though.

[Loring57]

The luxury of looking at the differential pressure sensor as your prime suspect under these circumstances is that you can diagnose its operation (or lack thereof) using a digital volt meter. I came to this website and found a link to another site (Free-Auto-Repair-Advice: Understanding the Ford DPFE and EGR System) that provided a very simple, step-by-step procedure that took all of five minutes that provided the answer.

The good news was I had finally properly diagnosed the problem and could replace the defective part in two minutes; the bad news was that I had already dropped nearly $70 on an EGR valve that didn't require replacing. I had taken the EGR valve out, inspected its operation by applying vacuum and watching the pintle rod move as it should; I tested how well the pintle seat was, well, seating, and its integrity appeared fine.

However, instead of trusting my instincts, I took the word of a parts counter salesman who testified to selling lots of EGR valves. However, he probably never considered that lots of my predecessors there were making the same mistake I had, and his "wisdom" was borne of others' mistakes.

[engr146]

You must use a motorcraft DPFE or else ypu will continue to revisit this problem !