Help - car won't pass emissions

[fquan59]

Hi everyone,

My 1997 SL2 won't pass emissions because of a P0405 (Position Sensor Circuit Low Voltage ). I've cleaned out the EGR valve and the ports using carb cleaner, changed out the ECTS and replaced the PCV. The light stays off for a while and then turns on again. With the low voltage reading, am I even doing the right troubleshooting? Any suggestions? Wolfman...where are you???

[redkees@msn.com]

Originally Posted by fquan59

Hi everyone,

My 1997 SL2 won't pass emissions because of a P0405 (Position Sensor Circuit Low Voltage ). I've cleaned out the EGR valve and the ports using carb cleaner, changed out the ECTS and replaced the PCV. The light stays off for a while and then turns on again. With the low voltage reading, am I even doing the right troubleshooting? Any suggestions? Wolfman...where are you???

You may just need to go to autozone and have them clear that PO405 code.
Otherwise, if after they clear it out and it comes on again, you might need
to either buy a new EGR or pick up one at a junk yard and replace the one in the car now.

I'm still thinking you probably already fixed the EGR by cleaning it and just need to clear that code.

Make sure that ses light isin't indicating something else is wrong--next time it
comes on take it to autozone and have them use the scanner and retreive whatever code it is.

Another suggestion:
If its been awhile since a tune up, I'd replace the spark plugs and wires--make sure the coil towers are clean of cororsion. You might be getting a PO 341 code-misfire.

Any SES light showing will usually, in many states, make you fail emissions.

Good Luck!

[fquan59]

Hi Redkees...

Thanks for the response. I disconnected the battery while working on cleaning the EGR and then hooked it back up after the job was done. That cleared the light for a little while. I had a guy at Autozone check the code and it came up with the P0405 code.

The last time I did a tune up was in October, 2005. That's when I changed the plugs, ECTS, PCV, and cleaned the EGR.

[redkees@msn.com]

Originally Posted by fquan59

Hi Redkees...

Thanks for the response. I disconnected the battery while working on cleaning the EGR and then hooked it back up after the job was done. That cleared the light for a little while. I had a guy at Autozone check the code and it came up with the P0405 code.

The last time I did a tune up was in October, 2005. That's when I changed the plugs, ECTS, PCV, and cleaned the EGR.

Well, sounds like you're all set and don't need a tune up and hopefully
your SES light will stay off now that autozone cleared the code.
Sometimes you have to clear the code with a scanner, disconnecting the battery doesn't always clear off the codes.

[fetchitfido]

I thought OBDII (96+ models) can't be cleared by dissconnecting the battery by design?

[redkees@msn.com]

Originally Posted by fetchitfido

I thought OBDII (96+ models) can't be cleared by dissconnecting the battery by design?

You're right...I forgot about that.

[fquan59]

Gotcha...I'll take the car to Autozone tonight and ask them to clear the codes. Thanks for the input, everyone.