Help! EGR & the CEL is ruining my marriage.

[Im Dabom]

First let me say, I'm not interested in blocking the EGR off even though my state doesn't have emissions testing.

Second let me say, that I searched these threads to the best of my ability and can't come up with a solution to my particular problem.

Third let me tell you some background.....

I bought a '97 Eclipse Spyder GS as a second car to drive back and forth to work in so that I could save gas. My first car is a Toyota Sequoia and cost $89 a week to fill up and most of the time I'm the only one in it - big waste of money. When I bought the Eclipse the CEL was on and the owner said it's been on the two years he owned it but it ran fine. I took it to Auto Zone the next day and had the codes pulled. One was P0400 and the other was for the IAC (can't remember the code). We purchased a EGR valve and a IAC valve. My husband replaced both parts, rode around for 5 days and the CEL comes on again. Drive to Auto Zone, they pull the codes and it's the same P0400. The IAC problem appears fixed.

Well I'm anal and I can't let it go that the CEL light is on all the time even though the car appears to run fine. So I send DH out there to root around the engine and look for the EGR Solenoid so that we could test it. He calls me out there and shows me this (it was all tucked up in the other hoses making it unnoticable until he started using the diagram on the hood to chase the hoses)........

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WTF? DH thinks that the hose that's capped off with the wire tie is supposed to be connected to the short hose on the left BUT when he connects them the car runs like crap and stalls. Does that mean the solenoid is bad? He put a vacuum pump on it yesterday and it had vacuum, according to the Haynes Manual it's bad. But I read on one of these threads that the Haynes Manual is incorrect and if it has vacuum it's good.

Can someone offer me some advice on what the problem is and how to fix it? DH just wants to leave it but I want the CEL light off!

Also, does anyone know what this is? And could it be causing the code?

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[gsxeclipse97]

I cant see the picture....just letting you know so others can help you better.

 

[BrokenTsi]

I can see the picture. Is there a vacuum line diagram under the hood?

 

[Im Dabom]

I can see the picture. Is there a vacuum line diagram under the hood?

Yes and it looks like this (not the clearest).....

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[Im Dabom]

I cant see the picture....just letting you know so others can help you better.

Hmm! Thanks for letting me know. I'll check that out.

 

[Im Dabom]

Anybody?

 

[92awddsm]

Look at the color dashes on the hose. Locate other hoses with the same color, see where they go, and you will probably find where it connects to. If you cant figure it out, Jerry Runion at the VW dealership in Lynchburg can help you out. He is an ex dsm guy(just switched to a g35) but a very knowledgeable mechanic in the dsm field. He is also good with Vdub's

 

[Im Dabom]

Look at the color dashes on the hose. Locate other hoses with the same color, see where they go, and you will probably find where it connects to.

The color dashes on the hose on the left are white and I'm more than positive it connects to the white dashed hose on the right with the cap and wire tire.

But.....when we connect them together the car idols like &^%* and stalls.

What I need to know is why and what part I need to replace. (I've already replaced the EGR valve).

 

[92awddsm]

The color dashes on the hose on the left are white and I'm more than positive it connects to the white dashed hose on the right with the cap and wire tire.

But.....when we connect them together the car idols like &^%* and stalls.

What I need to know is why and what part I need to replace. (I've already replaced the EGR valve).

What does each end of that hose go to?

 

[kiwidog]

In the first picture it looks like th hose on the left has green dashes and the hose on the right has white dashes. If that's the case then they wouldn't go together and it would definitely run like crap when you hook them up.

 

[Im Dabom]

In the first picture it looks like th hose on the left has green dashes and the hose on the right has white dashes. If that's the case then they wouldn't go together and it would definitely run like crap when you hook them up.

It's not the best photo but there definately both white dashes.

 

[92awddsm]

In the first picture it looks like th hose on the left has green dashes and the hose on the right has white dashes. If that's the case then they wouldn't go together and it would definitely run like crap when you hook them up.

I was thinking the same. It looks like it should tee into or connect to the other hose below it that has green dashes. I would be more than happy to look at it but unfortunately, Im not close and wont be in the area for a while. Thats why I recommend Jerry.

Also, the top hose with the ziptie is split and may be causing a vacuum leak. Replace that while you are there.

 

[Im Dabom]

Thats why I recommend Jerry.

Does Jerry work on the side? I hate to pay dealership prices.

 

[92awddsm]

Does Jerry work on the side? I hate to pay dealership prices.

He has before but Im not promising anything. let me call him real quick and I will let you know.

 

[92awddsm]

OK, he didnt answer. When he calls me back, I will see if I can give you his cell so you can get together on it.

 

[Im Dabom]

! I went out to take more pictures and the hose that's just there IS green!!!!!!

So what does that mean? The only other hose that's green is that one that goes to the part that I don't know what it is.......

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[92awddsm]

According to the vac diagram under the hood, the orange valve is the vacuum control valve. The unused hose should go to where the vac cap is. the other end of that hose should go to the egr valve. The white dash hose is correct by going to the egr solenoid. On the end of the egr solenoid, the hose coming off should go to the A port on the throttle body.