I have a 2000 Toyota Camry 4 cyl. The check engine light came on for the first time in 6 years of owning our car. It's time for fun I'm sure.
It has 67,000 miles. I went to autozone, got my free OBDII diagnosis. P0401. EGR Valve- $165, should I be replacing it or cleaning it? How do you clean a EGR valve without destroying it? Anything else I should be looking for? Great car, expensive emission parts!! Thanks
Booth

 

Suggest you visit the Autozone website. The site has a very good vehicle repair self help section that may have an explanation of the code and how to test the EGR components.

Possible issues could be plugged EGR valve port, stuck closed valve, plugged pipe sending the exhaust gas to the valve, defective VSV (an electric solenoid vacuum control switch) that turns the EGR system on and off or one of the small plastic hoses running to the VSV or EGR system is cracked or disconnected.

Typically the valve or gas pipe becomes clogged with carbon or the VSV goes bad.

A Google search on cleaning the EGR valve for the engine model (5S-FE) should turn up many hits. This is a common issue.

The VSV can be tested by applying 12V DC and determining if the valve works to change the vacuum flow direction.

 

To fix the code P0401 and P0446 on a Toyota Camry or Solara you will need to buy two parts (and no you don't have to replace the EGR Valve):

1. EGR VSV (Vacuum Switch Valve) part# 90910-12080 to get rid of the P0401 code * Located behind engine. Around $50 bucks.

2. Vapor Pressure Sensor VSV (Vacuum Switch Valve) part# 90910-12271 to get rid of the P0446 code (and also P0440, P0441) It is located on the bottom rear of the car near the Charcoal Canister (and no you don't have to replace the Charcoal Canister). Around $60 bucks.

*You might also need to replace the EGR Vacuum Modulator part# 25870-74090 if the P0401 code comes back. You can pop the hood and replace that by hand, it's easy. Around $60 bucks.

Try not to buy these at the dealer since they like to rip people off. After you get the parts (don't buy used since these parts get carbon dirty!), pay a mom and pop mechanic for the labor to do it since you don't have tools and a jack/lift for access, and they are much cheaper than the dealers.

 

So I have a 2000 Camry solara 5s-fe engine and have had the code P0401 for about 3 months. I have changed the egr valve, egr modulator, vsv under the engine and completely taken off the intake manifold and cleaned it to make it like new furthermore the code came back again and again. What could this possibly be? I feel like I have done everything. Please help.

 

Did you clean the EGR exhaust tubing between valve and exhaust?

 

Yes I took off the tube and sprayed intake cleaner in it.

 

Have you checked the EGR valve for proper operation? This being with engine at idle apply vacuum to the EGR valve hose that powers the EGR diaphragm. This will open the valve and allow exhaust gas to flow into the intake. Since the EGR valve is normally off at idle, the exhaust gas if present (valve working) should cause the engine idle to stumble or engine to quit.

Check vacuum hoses for EGR.

Make sure the MAP sensor is working and connected. The computer compares engine manifold pressure with a computer calculated one to determine if the EGR system is working OK.

 

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I am having issue with my Toyota Camry 2000 model 5s.
It won't start easily in the morning or when cold. The only code I have after scanning is P0401. I feel something is blocking the air intake because of the in usual sound that comes up when try to start the ignition. I need urgent help on this my good people. Thankssss in anticipation for a helpful suggestions