TEST 5: Making Sure The EGR Solenoid Is Getting 12 Volts
IMPORTANT: This test step only applies to the 1996 2.2L Chevy Beretta and 1996 2.2L Chevy Corsica.
The solenoid inside the EGR valve is the component that opens and closes the pintle.
It receives 12 Volts from the pink (PNK) connected to the terminal labeled with the letter E.
In this test section, you'll perform a multimeter voltage test to check for the presence of 12 Volts in terminal E.
NOTE: These 12 Volts are provided by fuse 9 of the dash panel fuse box. Only the 1996 2.2L Chevy Beretta and Corsica provide the EGR valve's solenoid with 12 Volts from a fuse.
These are the test steps:
- 1
Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.
- 2
Disconnect the EGR valve from its pigtail connector.
- 3
Connect the black multimeter test lead to the battery negative (-) terminal.
- 4
Gently probe female terminal labeled with the letter E with red multimeter test lead.
- 5
Turn the key to the RUN position but don't crank or start the engine.
- 6
The multimeter should read 10 to 12 Volts DC.
Let's interpret your test results:
CASE 1: The multimeter registered 10 to 12 Volts. This is the correct and expected test result and confirms the EGR valve solenoid is receiving power.
Your next step is checking the solenoid's resistance. Go to: TEST 7: EGR Solenoid Resistance Test.
CASE 2: The multimeter DID NOT register 10 to 12 Volts. This test result confirms the EGR valve solenoid is not receiving power. Without it, the EGR valve solenoid can not move the pintle (up/down).
Although it's beyond the scope of this tutorial, your next step is to find out why these 12 Volts are missing and restore them.
TEST 6: Making Sure The EGR Solenoid Is Getting Ground
IMPORTANT: This test step only applies to the 1996-1998 2.2L Chevy Cavalier and 1996-1998 2.2L Pontiac Sunfire.
The solenoid inside the EGR valve is the component that opens and closes the pintle.
It receives chassis Ground from the grey (GRY) wire that connects to the female terminal labeled with the letter A in the illustration above.
In this test section, you'll perform a multimeter voltage test to check for the presence of Ground in terminal A.
NOTE: The Ground that the GRY wire provides is a chassis Ground and is available at all times. Only the 1996-1998 2.2L Chevy Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire provide the EGR valve's solenoid with chassis Ground.
These are the test steps:
- 1
Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.
- 2
Disconnect the EGR valve from its pigtail connector.
- 3
Connect the red multimeter test lead to the battery positive (+) terminal.
- 4
Gently probe female terminal labeled with the letter A with the black multimeter test lead.
- 5
The multimeter should read 10 to 12 Volts DC.
NOTE: No need to turn the key to the ON position since this is a chassis Ground and is provided at all times.
Let's interpret your test results:
CASE 1: The multimeter registered 10 to 12 Volts. This is the correct and expected test result and confirms the EGR valve solenoid is receiving Ground.
Your next step is checking the solenoid's resistance. Go to: TEST 7: EGR Solenoid Resistance Test.
CASE 2: The multimeter DID NOT register 10 to 12 Volts. This test result confirms the EGR valve solenoid is not receiving Ground. Without it, the EGR valve solenoid can not move the pintle (up/down).
Although it's beyond the scope of this tutorial, your next step is to find out why Ground is missing and restore it.
TEST 7: EGR Solenoid Resistance Test
In this test section, we'll check the EGR solenoid's internal resistance.
We're trying to make sure that the solenoid hasn't suffered an internal short-circuit or an open-circuit problem.
If the solenoid has suffered an internal short-circuit problem, you'll see a resistance reading of 0 Ohms.
If the solenoid has suffered an open-circuit problem, you'll see the resistance value in the thousands of Ohms or the letters OL displayed on your multimeter.
IMPORTANT: The EGR valve has to be at ambient temperature to get an accurate test result. If the EGR valve is hot, let it cool down completely.
These are the test steps:
- 1
Place your multimeter in Ohms mode.
- 2
Disconnect the EGR valve from its pigtail connector.
- 3
Connect the red multimeter test lead to the male terminal labeled with the letter A.
- 4
Connect the black multimeter test lead to terminal labeled with the letter E.
- 5
The multimeter should read 8 to 9 Ohms.
Let's interpret your test results:
CASE 1: The multimeter registered the indicated Ohms value. This is the correct and expected test result.
Your next step is to remove the EGR valve and check for carbon build up on the EGR valve and EGR valve adapter block. Go to: TEST 8: Checking For Carbon Build Up.
CASE 2: The multimeter DID NOT register the indicated Ohms value. This test result confirms the EGR valve is bad. Replace the EGR valve.
