# Check engine light code **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** nissan, code, engines, lights, maxima\ **Created:** [October 30, 2010, 2:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-code/56979 "2010-10-30T14:14:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bigg31](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f07891/32.png) [@bigg31](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bigg31)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2010, 2:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-code/56979/1 "2010-10-30T14:14:34Z")
my check engine light code is [P0400] egr function no/low flow detected probable cause 1.EGR passages blocked 2.EGR pintle stuck closed 3.EGR volume control valve open or shorted 4.EGR temperature sensor error. can some one please tell me what should i do. nissan maxima 1996 gxe automatic is the car i’m talking about ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2010, 3:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-code/56979/2 "2010-10-30T15:14:23Z")
How many miles on your car? I suggest checking the EGR system. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-code/56979/3 "2010-10-30T16:16:27Z")
If you don’t need to pass an emissions test, you can ignore it…EGR function is not critical to the operation of your car. It’s an emissions issue… But if you must make the CEL happy, just follow the list of things you posted or have a mechanic do it… ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2010, 4:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-code/56979/4 "2010-10-30T16:22:22Z")
Check all the following: 1. EGR valve itself and if it is clogged with carbon build-up. 2. Riser pipe to the EGR for carbon build-up and clogs. 3. Intake port from the EGR for carbon build-up and clogs. Be prepared to do some minor to drastic action if a clog is discovered. I did a headgasket replacement on my Toyota truck with 12 years of life and 275,000 miles on it. The EGR riser pipe was totally clogged with carbon that I needed to chip out with a hammer and screwdriver. Luckily, it was only about 2 inch deep at the EGR end. I couldn’t do this if the clog extended past the bend, and I would have needed to find a replacement. ---
**Author:** ![bigg31](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f07891/32.png) [@bigg31](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bigg31)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 5:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-code/56979/5 "2010-10-31T05:46:14Z")
162400 miles on the car ---
**Author:** ![bigg31](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f07891/32.png) [@bigg31](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bigg31)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 5:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-code/56979/6 "2010-10-31T05:50:03Z")
if i replaced the egr valve with a new one would this fix the problem or is there something else that would be cloged up ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 1:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-code/56979/7 "2010-10-31T13:33:48Z")
“if i replaced the egr valve with a new one would this fix the problem” I’m not sure why you would ask that. You listed 4 different things yourself (none of which are “broken EGR valve”) and BustedKnuckles gave you three things to check. Then you ask that? The answer is already probably not. Caddyman would ignore it. Don’t ignore it. The EGR is a system. You need to check out the system and find out why it has a problem. Have a look at this: [http://www.obd-codes.com/p0400](http://www.obd-codes.com/p0400) ---
**Author:** ![bigg31](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f07891/32.png) [@bigg31](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bigg31)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-code/56979/8 "2010-10-31T16:09:15Z")
WELL I NO TO CHANGE THE EGR TEMPERATURE SENSOR BUT I DON’T NO WHAT THE PINTLE IS AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT THE VOLUME CONTROL VALVE IS ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 4:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-code/56979/9 "2010-10-31T16:18:16Z")
If you don’t know what you are doing, DON"T DO IT!!! ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-code/56979/10 "2010-10-31T16:21:52Z")
You need a mechanic. Or, if you don’t want to get there find the appropriate diagnostic & repair procedures on the web or buy a repair manual. You can try Autozone’s website where they have free online repair info. Either way, get a basic orientation to how EGR systems work. AND TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK KEY UNLESS YOU REALLY INTEND TO YELL AT EVERYONE. ---
**Author:** ![bigg31](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f07891/32.png) [@bigg31](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bigg31)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-code/56979/11 "2010-10-31T16:26:26Z")
ok thank you very much