CEL Light Came ON :(

[mattpresley]

the Check engine light came on today. took it down to autozone and got this:
TROUBLESHOOTING- P1401
OEM brand: FORD
ECM sensor circuit high

explanation:
ECM detected the DPFE (EGR pressure sensor) sensor
voltage higher than expected

Probable cause:
1. Failed DPFE Sensor (EGR pressure sensor)
2. Open or shorted circuit condition
___________________________________________

Where do I go from here. Funds are tight, is this something cheap or something that can be put off?

 

[mattpresley]

Heres what I got:
"It is 100% safe to drive. However, the problem is not the EGR valve itself, rather it is the sensor that detects how much exhaust is flowing through the EGR valve. This sensor is called a Delta Pressure Feedback EGR sensor (Or DPFE for short) and it is a small rectangular box attached to the side of the engine's intake. It will have 2 silicone hoses and 1 wire connector attached to it, and the sensor should be black plastic. They go bad all the time, and some are covered under extended warranties, so call Ford first as you may be able to get it fixed for free. If not, the part itself usually costs around $70 and takes only a few minutes to install. If you choose not to fix it, the only drawback will be lower fuel economy and an annoying light on the dash. Hope this helps,
Jason "
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Ford-Repair-811/egr-pressure-sensor-2002.htm

Is this maybe the mystery to my crappy gas milage that no one can figure out? I gotta get my AZ Plates(Im rocking az temp tags) next week then the check after that this is getting fixed by my mechanic

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

well there you go, go to the junkyard and get a hand full of them for cheap, (they DO go bad, but not that often) then try them till the light goes off.

 

[mattpresley]

well there you go, go to the junkyard and get a hand full of them for cheap, (they DO go bad, but not that often) then try them till the light goes off.

great advice JY here i come

 

[Bryan22]

just go to ford and pay for a new one and forget about it for another 70,000 miles. I've been through about 3 or 4 autozone specials in about 30,000 miles. when they stop giving me new ones for free i'll go to ford and get one. haha.

 

[mattpresley]

just go to ford and pay for a new one and forget about it for another 70,000 miles. I've been through about 3 or 4 autozone specials in about 30,000 miles. when they stop giving me new ones for free i'll go to ford and get one. haha.

I'll probably get a shit autozone one (at least for now). can this be the reason i've been getting such shit gas milage?

 

[Bryan22]

could be. if you don't need a smog anytime soon just unplug it for now, truck will run fine.

 

[mattpresley]

could be. if you don't need a smog anytime soon just unplug it for now, truck will run fine.

not for 5 years....If I unplug it will my gas mileage be where it needs to be? Sorry if i sound kinda repetitive but I drive over 500 miles a week and have been getting 200 miles a tank. quite irritating

 

[Bryan22]

worth a try.

 

[mattpresley]

I still cant find the damn egr valve......Please Help

 

[Earl43P]

The EGR VALVE is atop a pipe connected to the exhaust manifold, perhaps mounted to the Intake, but that is NOT what you need.

You need a DPFE. Go here: http://www.tomco-inc.com/Tech_Tips/ttt36.pdf

Learn about it and replace it. It could also be:

Blocked EGR passage (clean out the crud for free),
Bad silicone hose to the DPFE (note where they attach, it matters)

The majority of the time, it is simply that small black plastic DPFE. If yours is still made of pot-metal, that makes it even MORE likely that it is bad (original).