My car wont start, it has power, I jumped the starter it ran for a couple seconds and shut itself down. I also hooked it up to a computer and got the fault code p0401 egr flow insufficient
SOURCE: Insufficient EGR Flow problem
Specifically DTC P0401 is "Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Insufficient Flow". Now this is where we have to be careful when we read a code. In this case it is not saying the EGR valve is bad, it's saying the EGR flow is too low. Now it could be because the EGR valve is bad. Or it could be a clogged EGR tube or a broken vacuum line. This is why you have to be careful and check the whole system before you go changing parts.
The PCM tests the EGR system during deceleration by momentarily commanding the EGR valve to open while monitoring the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor signal. When the EGR valve is opened, the PCM should see a proportional increase in MAP. If the expected increase in MAP is not seen, the PCM notes the amount of error that was detected and adjusts an internal fail counter towards a fail threshold level. When the fail counter exceeds the fail threshold level, the PCM will set DTC P0401. The number of test samples required to accomplish this may vary according to the amount of detected flow error.
Normally, the PCM will only allow one EGR flow test sample to be taken during an ignition cycle. To aid in verifying a repair, the PCM allows twelve test samples during the first ignition cycle following a scan tool Clear Info or a battery disconnect. Between nine and twelve samples should be sufficient for the PCM to determine adequate EGR flow and pass the EGR test.
To check the system first you need to remove the EGR valve and if it is clogged or broken. If it is, clean or replace it. If it is okay, then remove the EGR inlet tube from the exhaust manifold and the EGR outlet tube from the intake manifold. If either or both are clogged, clean them out or replace them. Then check the ports in the manifolds themselves to see if they are clogged. If so, clean them out.
When you are done, disconnect the battery for about 30 seconds to clear the code and drive the car to see if the light comes back.
This should take care of the problem. If not, then you will need to put a scan tool on the car and see what the EGR control system is doing wrong and correct it.
The Valve on this car is electronic, so, unfortunately a vacuum pump will not work for testing.
If you have a scan tool, you can command the pcm to open the valve to see if the valve itself is working.There are really only4 things to go wrong with these things, PCM, wiring,the valve itself, or plugged passages. I have never seen the pcm cause this problem, or the wiring for that matter. If you say you have pulled the EGR and checked the intake passages, then I would be pretty confident in saying the the egr valve itself is bad.
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SOURCE: EGR problem
did u try cleanning out the lines connected to the egr they usually have a lot of hydrocarbon build up
SOURCE: power loss
Can't answer your last question but catalytic convertors that are just not working anymore won't cause any loss of power.
However, if they have shattered inside (they are kind of a ceramic honeycomb) they can dump junk into the exhaust system that can eventually clog your muffler or resonator.
Checking whether this has happened isn't difficult; after the warm up of the engine, either you or a helper needs to listen to the exhaust note.
If firing of the cylinders is still distinct, the system isn't clogged with shrapnel; if it seems to hiss at higher RPMs, it is likely clogged.
This effect is easy to miss; I've had two failures and when cold, the engine would pull fine because the chunks of ceramic would fall to the bottom of the muffler and glue together somewhat.
Once hot and agitated, they would clog the muffler and cause a severe loss of power but the idle would be OK.
A hill that I would normally pull at 70 MPH, I couldn't top at all; had to sit and wait for things to cool down before proceeding.
It also seems some engines appreciate a bit of back-pressure in the exhaust system because the car gained in mileage and pulling power for several thousand miles before the clog became critical causing the mileage to fall sharply along with the power.
SOURCE: I have a 99 monte carlo with a 3.1, the check
Remove the air tube to the throttle body. Open the throttle all the way and look inside with a flash light. You are looking for a lump of carbon at the egr port int the intake manifold.
Remove the egr valve, using a hanger or stiff wire, clean out the egr port removing the carbon from the intake manifold.
SOURCE: My 95 Chev. classic won't start. The pass key
Its not seeing the resistor in the key. Easy fix is under the dash you have 2 white wires in a orange casing. Cut that wire and the end that goes toward the fire wall and not the steering wheel strip the wires a bit. Now with a ohm meter measure the resistance in the key with the two metal strips one the key. Then go to radio shack and tell them what rreading you got and they will give you a resistor for it. Put the resistor between the two white wires and start the car....
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