P0401 1998 HONDA ACCORD Exhaust Gas Recirculation Insufficient Flow

Possible causes

– Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve clogged
– Faulty Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve
– Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve harness is open or shorted
– Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve circuit poor electrical connection
– Exhaust gas leaks

Tech description

The problem is common on most 1998-2001 Honda Accord. The factory released a bulletin with instruction on how to clean the intake system.
1998-2001 Honda Accord EGR Port Clogging OBDII Code P0401

When is the obd code mean?

Low EGR flow control is detected

Symptoms

– Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)
– Possible engine hesitation

P0401 1998 HONDA ACCORD OBD Code Description

The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system reduces oxides of nitrogen (NOx). NOx is generated by high combustion temperatures.

The EGR system lowers peak combustion temperature by recirculating inactive exhaust gas into the air/fuel mixture, thus reducing NOx emissions.

The EGR valve position sensor is built into the EGR valve and detects the amount of valve lift. The command value for the target valve lift is previously stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) so that exhaust gas recirculation can be optimized according to driving conditions.

Comparing this command value with the EGR valve position sensor output signal value, the PCM controls the EGR valve to make the amount of actual valve lift equal to the command value.

If the EGR valve position sensor output signal value differs greatly from the command value in the PCM memory for a set period of time, the EGR valve or the EGR valve position sensor is considered faulty and a DTC is stored.