Check Engine Light Options

[Stu37363]

i have a 97 celica gt, the check engine light has come on. i know you can jump the terminals on odbI to read the engine codes. is there a similar way to check odbII, or should i just take it to the auto parts store?

[hurley97]

you have to use the OBDII scanner. go to Autozone and have them check the code.

[Stu37363]

auto zone told me the code was

'EGR system fault(Exaust Gas Recirculation)'
'The ECM has detected too little flow on the EGR system'

i did some research and it seems the EGR recirculates exaust gas back into the engine to lower temperature for emmisions somehow...

i had a spark plug shoot out and had to put a helicoil in. im guessing some aluminum fell into the cylinder and went out the exaust clogging up the EGR valve...

this is just a guess, but its the best i have at this point.

anyone have any advice on fixing this?
can i clean the valve or do i have to get a new one?

if i can clean it, how do i go about doing this?

[stephen_lee]

egr vallves are pricey

im glad i have OBDI as i had an egr issue, and i simply used a paperclip to fix it

[hurley97]

most of the time it just gets clogged over time. take the EGR valve and that big pipe off and clean it out with some brake cleaner.

if that does not work you'll have to take the intake manifold off and find the EGR ports and clean those out.

there is a way you can test the operation of the EGR valve itself by putting vacuum to it and seeing if the idle stumbles or stays the same.

[alltracman78]

Put vacuum to the vacuum port on the top of the EGR valve.
If the engine dies the valve is opening enough.
If it just runs rough, it's opening partially, but not enough.
If it does nothing, the valve is totally clogged/bad.


You can clean it, carb cleaner or PB Blaster works better than brake clean, it won't evaporate as fast.
You also want a SMALL steel pipe cleaner to get in holes.