99 Camry V6: UBDII P0402 & P1411 = (EGR) VSV or EGR Position Sensor or VCV?

[buckeyegal]

Hello All,

Newbie here, hoping you might help me out with a check engine light problem.

My Camry shows no symptoms, it starts and runs fine. However, the check engine light recently came on and a diagnostic put out two UBDII Codes of P0402 (EGR excessive flow detected) and P1411 (EGR Valve Position Sensor circuit range performance malfunction.) From reading archived posts here and elsewhere, it appears the recommended plan of action is to clean the EGR Valve and replace either the EGR Position Sensor and/or the (EGR) VSV.

When I checked the EGR Position Sensor, I measured the resistance of the E2 and VC Terminal and got a reading of 8K ohms - this is about twice what Chiltons and Haynes suggest it should be. They both suggest it as 1.5K - 4.3K. Should I consider the EGR Position Sensor as bad? Is this greatly out of spec?

Another suggestion I've seen is to replace the (EGR) VSV before trying a new EGR Position Sensor. Any thoughts on this? Should I consider changing the (EGR) VSV instead of the EGR Position Sensor, or in addition to it? Also, I want to be sure I'm referencing the correct part - is it (EGR) Vacuum Switching Valve, or (EGR) Vacuum Solenoid Valve? I've seen it listed as both.

Also of note, I tested my VCV (Vacuum Control Valve) and it leaks down much faster than the Chilton spec's. (Should be 10 seconds, takes only 1 second.) Since this controls vacuum to the (EGR) VSV, could this be my culprit?

A little more info here - if I reset the check engine light, it usually takes a good 40 miles driving (over several multiple trips, or one single trip) before the light comes back on.

I look forward to hearing from you!

1999 Toyota Camry V6
70,000 miles

[mral1515]

In most cases when we get these codes in a dealership we replace the EGR valve. Typically only the position sensor is faulty and comes with the EGR valve. If it where my personal vehicle I would try the much less expensive position sensor on top of the EGR. As far as the vsv I personally have never seen a faulty one on the 1MZFE (V6) in about 15 years of dealership experiance. Good luck

[buckeyegal]

Hello and thank you for replying! This is very helpful, I really needed input to choose a starting point for fixing this. After hearing from you and doing more checking, I decided I'd be putting my time/money to better use in the EGR Position Sensor direction rather than fussing with the VCV. I took your advice about skipping the EGR valve at this point, and I put on a new position sensor just last week. So far so good; no problems and the check engine light has stayed off. Thank you for taking the time and sharing your knowledge with me, it is greatly appreciated.