so i've got a 1996 Saturn SL2. it runs fine, until i stop at a red light. then it starts to idle rough, and then dies altogether. the 'check engine' light is on the whole time. I took it to Autozone and they hooked the diagnostic scanner to it, and the codes indicated that there's a problem with my EGR valve. after seeing the $190 price tag, i promptly left.

one of the guys at work suggested getting a wire brush and cleaning out the valve, but i found a salvage yard nearby that can get me a valve for about $20, and i'd just have to switch it out myself.

anyone ever have to do this before? what's the most likely option to succeed?

 

Either way you would have to remove the old valve first and when you do you may find it DOES just need cleaning. I would remove it for inspection before getting the replacement part; might save yourself $20. Also be sure to inspect the vacuum lines into & out of the EGR solenoid and to the valve before you do the valve. Sometimes an egr problem can be nothing more than a split vacuum hose.

 

thanks. turns out the valve itself was bad, something inside was rattling like hell. i changed it out, and the car doesn't stall anymore, but the Service Engine Soon light is still on. i disconnected the battery for about half an hour, thinking that would clear the computer, but it didn't work. looks like i'll be checking vacuum hoses later.

 

I light up a cigarette and blow smoke into vacuum hoses, that way you can see the smoke if something is leaking

 

That's an OBD-II vehicle; disconnecting the battery will not reset the light. You need to either use a scan tool to reset it or drive a certain number of "cycles" before it will reset itself. Sometimes turning the key off and on a bunch of times will do it, too. I wouldn't sweat any more troubleshooting until you reset the light and see if it stays off.

 

thanks for the input guys. i'll try swinging by autozone or the saturn dealer and see if i can get this thing reset.

 

so much for that.

had it checked again, and it came back reading that the EGR flow sensor is showing a low input voltage. anyone know how to deal with this? is it maybe something as simple as cleaning the contacts where the wire plugs into the top of the valve?