# P0401 Code - EGR Valve/Ports/Check Engine Light?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/p0401-code-egr-valve-ports-check-engine-light/81506>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Tags:** rl, acura\
**Created:** [September 26, 2013, 12:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/p0401-code-egr-valve-ports-check-engine-light/81506 "2013-09-26T00:43:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jaymax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/db5fbb/32.png) [@jaymax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jaymax)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 12:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/p0401-code-egr-valve-ports-check-engine-light/81506/1 "2013-09-26T00:43:35Z")

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An Acura RL 3.5L 6cycl 1997

[i] Code due to Insufficient flow - Is there away of differentiating whether the problem is due to a faulty EGR valve or just dirty ports; (i.e. a way of testing the EGR valve)

[ii] Are there special tools for cleaning these ports ? Seen kits advertised, but dealers do not carry them in their arsenal of parts!

[iii] After cleaning ports and replacing EGR valve if needed does the “Check Engine” light turn off automatically or is there a resetting to be done.

Thanks!

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**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:** [September 26, 2013, 2:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/p0401-code-egr-valve-ports-check-engine-light/81506/2 "2013-09-26T02:50:17Z")

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If you are not subject to emissions testing, you can ignore this one… You can reset the CEL by disconnecting your negative battery cable for a minute or two…

If passing an emissions test is part of your life, then cleaning or replacing the exhaust gas passages will be necessary…

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jaymax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/db5fbb/32.png) [@jaymax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jaymax)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2013, 9:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/p0401-code-egr-valve-ports-check-engine-light/81506/3 "2013-09-26T09:01:51Z")

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Subject to emission testing in a few days