EGR Question

[camrodv6]

Recently the CEL came on and gave a code of "low EGR flow". I've bench tested the EGR valve itself and determined it is good. The EGR gas temperature sensor appears to have an open circuit. The dealer wants $140 for the sensor. Lowest internet price is $100. Both way too high for my cheap a$$.
The Haynes book gives the resistance values the sensor should show for certain exh temps. I'm thinking of bypassing the sensor with a resistor from Radio Shack which would theoretically fool the computer but keep the EGR valve open all the time. Any harm in keeping it open all the time? What do you guys think of this scheme?
Thanks,
JR
95 Camry V6 w/135,000 miles

[Nico]

I heard of many people bypassing/blocking egr circuits and it seems that (if well done !!!) the engine can only run better as it only burns fresh air and no recirculated burnt gas.
If you want to go ahead with the oem system, I would consider buying a used sensor, get it for 5 bucks or so from a junkyard, place it yourself (5 minutes) and you're sure it's working.

[camrodv6]

I have thought about the junkyard sensor purchase only problem is the few within 50 miles of here don't have the v6 engine or don't want to part with an valve and/or sensor from a good motor. Guess I could search online yards.
My main concerns are to:
1. get the CEL off to please the commander of the vehicle (wife) 2. not to harm the engine or computer
Thanks,
JR

[OEMonkey]

dont know what type of egr sys. you got but I thought only california cars had egr sensors. anyway, no, putting a resistor wont leave you with a stuck open egr. its a sensor(input), not a actuator. sensor is just there to monitor flow past the valve to see if any exhaust gas is actually being recirculated. pcm will only allow egr operation during closed loop at cruising speed. so pcm sends vac. to the diaphragm, valve opens, hot exhaust gas enters, egr sensor(thermistor) senses the heat flowing thru, sends v. signal to pcm. if v. signal is for low temp., then the pcm will interpret this as low flow and will light up the cel. if theres any restriction to egr flow, such as carbon build up around the valve and manifold, you'll get a cel. but youre idea will work too. you can use a resistor across the sensor harness. 10kohms maybe but refer to your resistance value chart in your repair manual. hope this helps.

[fj40supraman]

Does your light go on and off, I have the same problem with my avalon v6 (155k) and I was just gonna buy a new sensor, you'd think that if the sensor was bad it'd just go and the light would be on all the time, however this is not the case. The sensor and apparatus is real easy to get at, I plan on pulling it and checking resistance when it gets a little warmer out. Curious to see if it can be bypassed, as we don't have emmissions in my area?

[camrodv6]

My CEL stays on all the time. The local AZ store said "low EGR flow" but I failed to get the code #. Anyhow the ohm meter showed an open circuit, no resistance at all, so I condemmed the sensor. I'm going to try to get to the local Radio Shack this evening and pick up some resistors and try one. My boss has a 95 Lexus 300 and her CEL comes and goes. She says it's been doing it for the last 100k miles...
I just want the wife to feel ok that the car isn't going to leave her stranded. If that happens I'll have to trade for a Sienna or she'll take over my BMW!

JR

[white90dx]

Hopefully the resistor will fool the ecu... just pick a value at the middle of the acceptable range. Its only needed for OBD-II tests... You can also block off the EGR while you are at it - just put a piece of sheet metal in there to block the flow. This should be fine as long as you don't have emissions tests in your state.

-Charlie

[camrodv6]

Put together 3 different ranges of resistors and used the lowest valued set (according to Haynes manual) for max temp. Plugged it in lieu of the egr temp senser and the CEL has been off for 3 days now! I guess I'll have to scout the junkyards for a used sensor or search online for one under $100.
Thanks for you guys input!
JR

[spyfish007]

I'm going to add the resistor to my car as well. I will probably manufacture a block off plate, bolts, and a cap fitting for the head. Maybe $25 shipped .. interested?

[camrodv6]

Thanks for the offer spyfish. I think I'm going to leave the egr valve in place for the time being. At least I know it's the temp sensor and will probably scrounge up a used temp sensor. I want to keep it all intact because we may be trading it later this year on a Sienna. The ole Camry just isn't quite big enough with the 2 cookie crunchers and the wifey and I especially when we travel!
Thanks,
JR

[AEugene86]

My car doesn't even have the valve attached to the header, well, theres nowhere to attach it to. the valve just sort of sits there in the middle of nowhere. the car came like this so I guess someone else did it, but the headers don't look aftermarket. I don't get it. but I suppose this isn't really any help to since an 87 corolla and a 95 camry aren't comparible.

[fj40supraman]

camrod v6 if you don't mind me asking were did you get your quote from on the internet for $100? It would save me a lot of time looking! Thanks a lot.

[mox]

If it's on a 3vzfe, tell me where it is, I have my old engine here and it's okay for me to give you the sensor you need.. The new engine I installed have no egr (japan engine) and I'm planning on recycling most of the parts by selling them or stuff like porting the heads and use them on my car or sell them as ported
--Ben

[fj40supraman]

I have a Avalon which has a 1mz-fe. I don't know if the sensor is the same. The one I need is the EGR valve position sensor. I guess I can test it with a resistivity test. I still need to test it (with resistance test) and make sure it is indeed the problem, I'm just going off what the code read on the OBDII test. I appreciate your help. It is fairly easy to remove as it is right on top. What do you think you would want for it, with shipping. Thanks a lot.n I guess I could cross reference the part numbers and see if they match.