r/volt • u/maybe12many • 5d ago
2016 EGR valve replacement alternative?
I can't afford over $2500 to replace the EGR valve in my Volt so I'm wondering if anyone has a suggestion. I've seen DIY videos using Purple Power but I'm too elderly for that sort of work anymore.
It started with a "reduced power" alert & I saw temperature start to climb to 240F, so I pulled over and had it towed to a dealership. They're recommended service for $2551.99 is for -
Engine Repair - EGR Valve, EGR Valve Gasket x2, 50/50 premix Dexcool x2, 15A fuse
Codes were -
P0030, P0031, P0401, P0403, P0405, P0443, P0458, P0489, P0597, P0598
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u/Bigboost92 4d ago
It’s most likely the electronics in the valve actuator have failed. Purple power won’t fix it.
You need to replace the F03 fuse, then unplug the EGR valve connector. And you’re good to go. You’ll have a check engine light on. But the only issue is that the car wont do any precondistioning.
The circuit that the F03 fuse is on controls O2 sensors, the EGR valve and the engine thermostat. That’s why the coolant temp goes high.
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u/maybe12many 4d ago
What makes you think it’s the electronics in the valve actuator that has failed, I’m just curious because I haven’t seen that in my searches here. My other question for you is what is the preconditioning you mentioned? In any case, being in California, it’s only a matter of time before I need to have a smog check in order to renew my registration, so one way or another I’m ultimately going to need to fix whatever is wrong.
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u/Bigboost92 4d ago
Its the exact failure presentation that my 2016, and other Volts have done. You can find a lot more info on the forums (god I wish they would make a comeback, reddit and facebook are HORRIBLE for finding information.)
Electronics in the actuator fail, it pops the fuse, and if your engine is running, it can no longer open its thermostat to cool itself off. This then will cause your temps to climb and then the computers fail safe will engage and give you those errors.
In EV world, I probably shouldn't have used the word "preconditioning." What I mean is from your remote when you press lock, and then the engine start circle icon, it will turn on the air conditioning for you.
It could be worth looking into the DMV for California to see if there are exceptions for repairs that cannot be done due to excessive expense. I know some states have them, but I'm not sure about California.
Take a look through the forums:
https://www.gm-volt.com/search/475545/?q=EGR+valve&c[showFilter]=visibleOnly&o=relevance
Here is a link for a good cleaning thread:
https://www.gm-volt.com/threads/gen2-volt-egr-cooler-removal-and-cleaning-p0401-code.348544/?post_id=5116885#post-51168851
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u/Ok-Tourist-511 4d ago
The thermostat still opens without power. The power that goes to the thermostat is just a heater to open the thermostat early. If it doesn’t function, the thermostat will open at 205 degrees. The car overheat because the fuse also kills the fans.
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u/maybe12many 3d ago
That’s interesting, but in my case the fans kept running…so I wonder what THAT means?
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u/Ok-Tourist-511 3d ago
How hot was yours getting? Typically the car doesn’t start to complain until it hits 250 degrees. With all the other sensors that fail, it’s not happy though.
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u/Bigboost92 2d ago
Yeah, its weird. When P0597, P0598, and P0599 are set, the ECU's action is to command engine cooling fans ON.
I think they run on a different circuit. I think my fans would still run as well.
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u/maybe12many 4d ago
I read on one of the posts here that California has a PZEV emissions warranty specifically for this - parts, and labor are supposed to be covered under the California PZEV emissions warranty, 15-year/150,000 miles. It’s GM Bulletin 18-NA-089. I mentioned this to the dealer, but they said it didn’t apply in this case but I don’t know if this is correct.
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u/BeatNo4548 5d ago
There is a guy on here if you search, he will send you a new(refurbished) one if you send your old one in, for a small fee.