1998 Honda Accord SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON

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MEMBER
1998 HONDA ACCORD
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
140,200 MILES

MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, SO I TOOK IT TO A AUTO ZONE AND THEY RAN IT ON A MACHINE. THE MACHINE SAID THAT THERE IS AN EGR SYSTEM FAULT (EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION). THE ECM HAS DETECTED TOO LITTLE FLOW ON THE EGR SYSTEM. THE PCM HAS DETERMINED THAT THERE IS INSUFFICIENT FLOW IN THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION SYSTEM.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? IS IT MINOR OR MAJOR? AND HOW MUCH WOULD PARTS COST AND LABOR BE?

1 Reply

DAVE H

MECHANIC
13,383 POSTS

Labor is 1 hour @shop hourly rate (around $70 p/h)
OEM dealer part EGR valve $157 .. you could probably get this a little cheaper at an autoparts store

DTC P0401: EGR Insufficient Flow

Reset the ECM/PCM
Test-drive under the following conditions. Then check for a Temporary DTC with the scan tool.
Without any electrical load.
Decelerate from 55 mph (88 km/h) for at least 5 seconds.
Is Temporary DTC P0401 indicated?
YES -Clean the intake manifold EGR port with carburetor cleaner. Clean the passage inside the EGR valve with carburetor cleaner, or replace the EGR valve.
NO -Intermittent failure, go to step 3.
Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Disconnect the EGR valve 6P connector.
Connect the battery positive terminal to EGR valve connector terminal No. 4.
Fig. 1: Connecting The Battery Positive Terminal To EGR Valve Connector Terminal No. 4
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Start the engine and let it idle, then connect the battery negative terminal to EGR valve 6P connector terminal No. 6.
Did the engine stall or run rough?
YES -Intermittent failure, system is OK at this time.
NO -Clean the intake manifold EGR port with carburetor cleaner. Clean the passage inside the EGR valve with carburetor cleaner, or replace the EGR valve.