Main IndexAuto Repair Home Search Posts SEARCH
POSTS
Who's Online WHO'S
ONLINE
Log in LOG
IN









1999 Saturn SL1 1.9L 4Cyl SOHC Auto Trans OBD Code P0401


Search for (search options)
 



dave7182
New User

Jul 2, 2014, 5:11 AM

Post #1 of 9 (2303 views)
1999 Saturn SL1 1.9L 4Cyl SOHC Auto Trans OBD Code P0401 Sign In

05/11/2013 - I bought the car with 174K miles in Texas.
06/14/2013 - Failed inspection, requiring the following repairs:
Replace EGR Valve & clean ports.
Replace Radiator, Thermostat, and Gasket.
Replace R & R Coolant Temp Switch
06/25/2014 - Passed inspection (181K miles), and have observed no problems of any kind.
07/01/2014 - "Service Engine Soon" light comes on.
Scanner shows code P0401 (EGR "A" Flow Insufficient).
Coincidentally, my cigarette lighter stopped working at the same time.
I still have observed no problems starting or running the car.

I would appreciate any advice as to what I should do.


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jul 2, 2014, 6:09 AM

Post #2 of 9 (2289 views)
Re: 1999 Saturn SL1 1.9L 4Cyl SOHC Auto Trans OBD Code P0401 Sign In

The P0401 needs to be troubleshot to find out why the code is coming up. Qualified drive-ability tech should be be able to find the culprit and solution.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


dave7182
New User

Jul 2, 2014, 6:21 AM

Post #3 of 9 (2281 views)
Re: 1999 Saturn SL1 1.9L 4Cyl SOHC Auto Trans OBD Code P0401 Sign In


In Reply To
The P0401 needs to be troubleshot to find out why the code is coming up. Qualified drive-ability tech should be be able to find the culprit and solution.

Thank you, I will do that.
I am just wondering if I should wait a while to see if performance or fuel economy is adversely affected before pursuing the issue further.
Also, I would appreciate referral to a well-regarded auto repair shop in my vicinity (Conroe TX).


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 2, 2014, 7:50 AM

Post #4 of 9 (2269 views)
Re: 1999 Saturn SL1 1.9L 4Cyl SOHC Auto Trans OBD Code P0401 Sign In

Just for laughs fix the cig lighter. Most likely a fuse or caused by something that fell in it if possible so look first. Is that involved - dang well shouldn't be but I smell a coincidence?
Crazy


T



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Jul 2, 2014, 12:31 PM

Post #5 of 9 (2255 views)
Re: 1999 Saturn SL1 1.9L 4Cyl SOHC Auto Trans OBD Code P0401 Sign In

Really don't think the cigar lighter has anything to do with it. Have you checked the 20 amp cigar fuse in the instrument panel fuse block?

You may have a plugged up ports again. The P401 code means the engine computer had commanded the EGR valve to open, but didn't see a drop in manifold vacuum. If the engine is burning oil or running too cold, that will coke up the EGR ports.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jul 2, 2014, 12:32 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 2, 2014, 3:41 PM

Post #6 of 9 (2243 views)
Re: 1999 Saturn SL1 1.9L 4Cyl SOHC Auto Trans OBD Code P0401 Sign In

I don't think the lighter has anything to do with it but interesting if it happened at exact same time, that's all? T


dave7182
New User

Jul 2, 2014, 3:51 PM

Post #7 of 9 (2238 views)
Re: 1999 Saturn SL1 1.9L 4Cyl SOHC Auto Trans OBD Code P0401 Sign In

I found that the cigarette lighter fuse was blown, so I removed it and went to the auto supply store to get some new fuses.
On the way home, the "Service Engine Soon" light went out.
All the warning lights turn on, as they should, when the ignition key is turned to the ON position.
Tomorrow I will install a new fuse and see what happens next.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jul 2, 2014, 4:10 PM

Post #8 of 9 (2229 views)
Re: 1999 Saturn SL1 1.9L 4Cyl SOHC Auto Trans OBD Code P0401 Sign In

Bet new one blows right away. Would make me think back side of fuse block and how its fed power is AFUed somehow with some short someplace else completely maybe. Just thinking and probably shouldn't.


I guess it's more important as to WHY it blew in the first place. TX inspections I vaguely know matter by exactly where you are as to what gets checked or fails an inspection. No car should fail for any real reason rules or not. Here, MA even if this snapped out of it for some strange reason you would fail again as it would not fully be "ready" for a legit sticker until so many cycles of warm ups and cool downs plus restarts without a problem and then good to go. You would get a legal gimme for 30 days to go back a recheck.


Your call but if you get this try the dang fuse now as we head into a holiday weekend any funky parts may be impossible to get quickly, T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jul 2, 2014, 10:57 PM

Post #9 of 9 (2223 views)
Re: 1999 Saturn SL1 1.9L 4Cyl SOHC Auto Trans OBD Code P0401 Sign In

We see a lot of blown lighter fuses lately, mostly due to all the electronic devices that people are plugging in these days, leading to overloaded circuits.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







 
 
 






Search for (options) Privacy Sitemap