Hello. Car was running fine then started to sputter on the way home. Nursed it back then it wouldn't run for longer than a second.

Changed fuel pump, fuel filter, camshaft sensor. Tested Ignition Control Module at parts store, checked ok.

Put check lights on spark plugs and they lit up.

Checked fuel pressure.

Doused a rag with fuel, put it in front of air intake and car ran awesome for a few seconds.

It does give a EGR restriction code P0401. But wouldn't this still run with a restricted EGR?

Any ideas would be appreciated thanks!

 

IMO - That code is the FIRST situation you should be inspecting. It may NOT be the cause, but it's the car telling you a known bad situation.

I know the older 3100 engines that used a 3 solenoid set up had a reputation for getting large deposits of gunk in the passage for the EGR to feed into the UIM (which is behind the throttle body). Step one, remove the EGR, inspect for carbon deposits on the EGR. Clean with carb cleaner and a wire brush (it's recommended to replace the gasket, but I've had times I could get away with not replacing it). Next, you might need to remove the throttle body, but ensure the passage between the EGR and UIM is clean and free of gunk/debris. Best thing to do is get something firm and flexible that you can fish through until it passes all the way through that passage (and spraying carb cleaner helps with this). Somethings it's easier to remove the debris deposits by taking the throttle body off and going from the inside out (if you do, this is a good time to clean the throttle body as well).

If that all checks out, you may want to inspect for vacuum leaks. Those can cause weird issues.

Also, based on what you said you've done and how the car is behaving, you may want to pop on a new fuel filter and air filter. A car takes spark, fuel and air to run, it's figuring out which one it's not getting enough of.

 

This is the first thing i learned about working on cars. My father in laws truck was running bad all the sudden and it turned out a mouse made a nest in his air intake tube. The whole thing was plugged. It must have lived in there because it was his daily driver. Just a thought.

 

I did the fuel filter already. And today I went to pick a part and got another EGR and Mass Air Flow sensor. Still nothing. I'll try that tube you're referring to. Thanks

 

get a can of carb cleaner and a wire brush and clean up the egr valve. should run fine then. to answer your question though, no it will not run with a clogged egr vavle

 

Ended up being daughter put E-85 Ethanol in the tank.......grrrrr

 

really.....wow, atleast you figured it out.......