egr switch replacement, 2 problems.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 1
From: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
egr switch replacement, 2 problems.
The wire is broken off of the end of my egr switch. Got the part, went to change it, and found that the connector is under the distributor. Not much luck, so I went to take the back piece off of the plenum. It has 3 small torx screws in it. 1 of the 3 is stripped.
So, my problem/questions are:
Do I really have to pull out the distributor to get to the plug for the egr switch?
And, how do I get out a stripped torx screw?
Thanks.
So, my problem/questions are:
Do I really have to pull out the distributor to get to the plug for the egr switch?
And, how do I get out a stripped torx screw?
Thanks.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 9
From: Minneapolis MN
The wire is broken off of the end of my egr switch. Got the part, went to change it, and found that the connector is under the distributor. Not much luck, so I went to take the back piece off of the plenum. It has 3 small torx screws in it. 1 of the 3 is stripped.
So, my problem/questions are:
Do I really have to pull out the distributor to get to the plug for the egr switch?
And, how do I get out a stripped torx screw?
Thanks.
So, my problem/questions are:
Do I really have to pull out the distributor to get to the plug for the egr switch?
And, how do I get out a stripped torx screw?
Thanks.
-Tim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,227
Likes: 697
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
The wire is broken off of the end of my egr switch. Got the part, went to change it, and found that the connector is under the distributor. Not much luck, so I went to take the back piece off of the plenum. It has 3 small torx screws in it. 1 of the 3 is stripped.
So, my problem/questions are:
Do I really have to pull out the distributor to get to the plug for the egr switch?
Thanks.
So, my problem/questions are:
Do I really have to pull out the distributor to get to the plug for the egr switch?
Thanks.
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 34
From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
I had the same problem with my EGR sensor wire on the '88, and the Check Engine light of course was ON.
Once I saw that the other end of the wire disappered behind the distributor, I just soldered the wire into the top of the sensor. Problem solved.
I figured if it didn't work, I'd have only wasted 7 extra minutes soldering before I had to do it the right way (which does not require pulling the distributor BTW).
Another way out is to unscrew the old sensor and then screw in the new one and splice the wires together with solder and shrink tubing.
Once I saw that the other end of the wire disappered behind the distributor, I just soldered the wire into the top of the sensor. Problem solved.
I figured if it didn't work, I'd have only wasted 7 extra minutes soldering before I had to do it the right way (which does not require pulling the distributor BTW).
Another way out is to unscrew the old sensor and then screw in the new one and splice the wires together with solder and shrink tubing.
Last edited by xCCTer; Jun 24, 2007 at 10:14 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 1
From: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,725
Likes: 709
From: Bergen County, NJ
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 0
From: CA
You might get away with butt splice,obviously some have.But technicly,these sensors run on a millivolt signal,splicing can,and does create some resistance,and should be avoided if possible.
I have changed it without removing the distributor.It is a pain.
Patience grasshopper,patience.
I have changed it without removing the distributor.It is a pain.
Patience grasshopper,patience.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 1
From: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
You might get away with butt splice,obviously some have.But technicly,these sensors run on a millivolt signal,splicing can,and does create some resistance,and should be avoided if possible.
I have changed it without removing the distributor.It is a pain.
Patience grasshopper,patience.
I have changed it without removing the distributor.It is a pain.
Patience grasshopper,patience.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 0
From: CA
I admit it wasn't easy,and I don't have baseball gloves for hands.
Disconnecting the weather pack is harder than reconnecting.
I used a string with a loop in it to pull the connector up and as far to the right side of the engine as I could.Pulled the string with one hand ,and with the other reached in and raised the tab on the weatherpack and pulled it apart.
If I can do it,anybody can,it just takes a little time,and patience.
Assembly is reverse of disassembly.I think you have all heard that part before.
Disconnecting the weather pack is harder than reconnecting.
I used a string with a loop in it to pull the connector up and as far to the right side of the engine as I could.Pulled the string with one hand ,and with the other reached in and raised the tab on the weatherpack and pulled it apart.
If I can do it,anybody can,it just takes a little time,and patience.
Assembly is reverse of disassembly.I think you have all heard that part before.
Last edited by GIMMESOME; Jun 25, 2007 at 12:01 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 1
From: Cuyahoga Falls Ohio
I admit it wasn't easy,and I don't have baseball gloves for hands.
Disconnecting the weather pack is harder than reconnecting.
I used a string with a loop in it to pull the connector up and as far to the right side of the engine as I could.Pulled the string with one hand ,and with the other reached in and raised the tab on the weatherpack and pulled it apart.
If I can do it,anybody can,it just takes a little time,and patience.
Assembly is reverse of disassembly.I think you have all heard that part before.
Disconnecting the weather pack is harder than reconnecting.
I used a string with a loop in it to pull the connector up and as far to the right side of the engine as I could.Pulled the string with one hand ,and with the other reached in and raised the tab on the weatherpack and pulled it apart.
If I can do it,anybody can,it just takes a little time,and patience.
Assembly is reverse of disassembly.I think you have all heard that part before.
Sounds like a job that requires a cool day, and lots of time.
I did get the screw out. I went to the body shop I use, I think the guy there is taking pity on me for the amount of stuff I have had to fix on this car.
Anyway, it's a simple fix, too bad I didn't think of it. He took a fiberglass cutting wheel and turned the torx screw into a slotted screw head. Got it out with a flat blade driver.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
You might get away with butt splice,obviously some have.But technicly,these sensors run on a millivolt signal,splicing can,and does create some resistance,and should be avoided if possible.
I have changed it without removing the distributor.It is a pain.
Patience grasshopper,patience.
I have changed it without removing the distributor.It is a pain.
Patience grasshopper,patience.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 0
From: CA
I don't know of any ECM reference voltages that are less than 5 volts and this one happens to be system or battery. When grounded by the switch, it drops to 0 at the ECM and it then assumes the EGR event took place. No milivolts involved when the ECM is simply monitoring an event - it's either there or it isn't. Shouldn't be any problem with a splice as long as you don't accidently connect it to ground.
