EGR Valve and Solid Blinking Light
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 59
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From: San Francisco CA
EGR Valve and Solid Blinking Light
On a recent trip from SF to LA , my Service Engine light came on and stayed until I stopped the car. Now on short trips it does not come on, by anything over 2 hours and it reappears. I brought it to a Chevy dealership to do a diagnostic and was told no codes registered but a message indicated "EGR Valve". Their message was to have a new EGR valve installed and gave me $500 as price (with labor). Anybody familiar with how critical this symptom is ?
Also my right blinker is solid now, and both front & back do not blink externally (the left is normal). Any ideas on what this could be ?
Also my right blinker is solid now, and both front & back do not blink externally (the left is normal). Any ideas on what this could be ?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: EGR Valve and Solid Blinking Light (Number 2)
Shortly after I took delivery of my '88 in Mesa, AZ two years ago I took it onto I-10 and it threw an EGR code. The Chevy dealership hit me for $500 to diagnose & install a new EGR valve, since I was on a job and didn't have my tools available.
Get a new EGR valve, pull the plenum, replace the EGR, install the plenum and you saved yourself over $400. You will need a good 10mm open and 6-pt closed end wrench to get out the two EGR bolts.
Check to see if the right turn signal or side marker bulbs are burned out. If not check the rear bulb.
Also try the emergency flashers. If they work on both sides it could be the turn signal flasher; on my '88 it's behind the right IP near the center.
Get a new EGR valve, pull the plenum, replace the EGR, install the plenum and you saved yourself over $400. You will need a good 10mm open and 6-pt closed end wrench to get out the two EGR bolts.
Check to see if the right turn signal or side marker bulbs are burned out. If not check the rear bulb.
Also try the emergency flashers. If they work on both sides it could be the turn signal flasher; on my '88 it's behind the right IP near the center.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
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From: Sun City West Az
Re: EGR Valve and Solid Blinking Light (Number 2)
Dlr. said no codes but a "message"??? What did the car do, write a note to them???? :lol: Just kidding....but it does sound very strange. Either it set a code or didn't. $500 for what? Replacing a $50 EGR valve? If I were you, I'd run as fast as I can from that dealer. You didn't say what year car you have, but on mine there are 2 bolts holding the EGR onto the block. So that's $450. to take them off = $225 per bolt. Not bad wages if you're a crook.
The blinker maybe just a bulb out. Easy $ .50 fix.
The blinker maybe just a bulb out. Easy $ .50 fix.
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 59
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From: San Francisco CA
Re: EGR Valve and Solid Blinking Light (ittlfly)
Thanks. The car is an 88 convertible. The $500 seemed alot for a $50 part I agree. He said the labor involved to get at this particular EGR (apparently buried in an 88) was the reason for the huge price. My concern now is since the light only comes on during long drives, how long can I let this go ?
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Joined: Aug 2000
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From: San Francisco CA
Re: EGR Valve and Solid Blinking Light (65Z01)
Thx for the advice. My car is the same year. My concern now is how long can I drive the car with an EGR problem. I passed emissions a month ago.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: EGR Valve and Solid Blinking Light (Number 2)
Mine only came on after on the interstate for a while but the engine seemed to lose some power till I shut if down and the light went off.
I think the ECM may be in limp-home mode to protect the engine. This will kill gas mileage but won't hurt the engine.
The EGR replacement is a little labor intensive, plus they are charging for the diagnostics too. Realy all you need to do is remove the plenum which should take a few hours the first time you do it. Then you need to replace the EGR valve and it's gasket, install new plenum to runner gaskets and bolt it back up.
I'm not sure what the flat rate is on that job but parts shouldn't come to over $100, even at dealer rates. If his labor rate is $75-$85/hr that would account for the quote.
I think the ECM may be in limp-home mode to protect the engine. This will kill gas mileage but won't hurt the engine.
The EGR replacement is a little labor intensive, plus they are charging for the diagnostics too. Realy all you need to do is remove the plenum which should take a few hours the first time you do it. Then you need to replace the EGR valve and it's gasket, install new plenum to runner gaskets and bolt it back up.
I'm not sure what the flat rate is on that job but parts shouldn't come to over $100, even at dealer rates. If his labor rate is $75-$85/hr that would account for the quote.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,631
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From: Clever, MO aka SOMO
Re: EGR Valve and Solid Blinking Light (Number 2)
I replaced my EGR valve in an hour. Just be sure you get new plenum to runner gaskets along with the new valve and gasket for the valve.
Secondly, it may be just the egr elec. switch on the passenger side coming up from the exhaust manifold. The one with the silver insulation. The little plug on the top is usually what kicks off a code 32. Change it first before taking apart the plenum and valve.
Good luck,
Secondly, it may be just the egr elec. switch on the passenger side coming up from the exhaust manifold. The one with the silver insulation. The little plug on the top is usually what kicks off a code 32. Change it first before taking apart the plenum and valve.
Good luck,
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 7,072
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From: Maryland
Re: EGR Valve and Solid Blinking Light (fixvet)
It only took me a few hours to replace my EGR, and that was at my world's slowest mechanic wanna-be blonde speed, rebuilding the TB, cleaning everything in sight (that took probably 1 hour of time alone!).... Make sure you get a GM EGR valve and hook up all the vac lines when you put the top piece back on (or you'll get some strange surging / wierd running / uneven idle issues - don't ask how i know that). :lol: It's really pretty straight forward to do if you have the tools. If not - go to sears and buy a set of Torx wrenches for $50. You'll still be ahead. :yesnod:
Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 529
Likes: 39
From: Cumming Ga
Re: EGR Valve and Solid Blinking Light (Number 2)
My 91 gave me a code 32(EGR) and I replaced the valve and reset the computer. Guess what?.....it gave me another code 32. I replaced the EGR solenoid and reset the computer. Guess what?.........again,another code 32. I gave up and took it in to the local shop for them to look at it. They called me back the next day and said that the underside of the intake manifold was caked with carbon build up and that was causing the code. They wanted $600.00 to remove it, clean it, and put it back together. I told them to button it up and I would do it myself. I'll start on it Thursday. afternoon.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: South Main St, GhettoLand USA
Re: EGR Valve and Solid Blinking Light (Number 2)
My concern now is how long can I drive the car with an EGR problem. I passed emissions a month ago.
