1994 Chrysler LeBaron Check Engine Light

Discussion in 'LeBaron' started by imadba, Nov 29, 2006.

  1. imadba

    imadba Guest

    I drive a 1994 Chrysler LeBaron 3.0L V6 with around 155,000 miles.
    Occasionally, whenever I'm driving on the highway the Check Engine light
    comes on. The first time this happened, I immediately pulled over and turned
    off the car, checked under the hood, checked the gauges, etc.--nothing was
    out of the ordinary. So I got back in the car, started it up and the light
    didn't come on again that day.

    Since then, the light has come on several times and here's what I've been
    able to determine:

    1. It only seems to come on whenever I am driving on the highway; it has
    never come on during in-town driving.
    2. It doesn't happen EVERY time I drive on the highway. With my new job, I
    drive about 20 miles on the highway one way to work; I've had my new job for
    about 2 months now and today was the first time the light came on.
    3. If I turn off the car and then turn it back on, the light goes out and
    stays out.

    My question for this group is, Should I be concerned about this? A local
    auto parts company has the reader that I can rent to read the codes, but my
    understanding was that the check engine light has to be on for it to read the
    codes.

    Like I said, I just want to know if I need to worry about this or not. Since
    I don't know what causes it to come on, other than chance and driving on the
    highway, I don't feel like I can take it to a mechanic.

    Thanks for any information you can provide.
     
    imadba, Nov 29, 2006
    #1
  2. imadba

    Ken Weitzel Guest

    Hi...

    Not a mechanic, but you needn't rent a code reader, you might
    want to try the key on key off sequence to read any stored codes...

    Car parked. Turn the key on (not start, just to the on position),
    then quickly off, then on again, then off, finally on again and
    wait. Watch the check engine light, it will begin to slowly flash
    two digit codes.

    Kinda like this:

    on off long pause on off on off long pause would mean 1 followed by
    2 = 12 (start of the read sequence)

    If you'll write down what it flashes, someone here will happily
    tell you what the code represents.

    Take care.

    Ken
     
    Ken Weitzel, Nov 29, 2006
    #2
  3. imadba

    imadba Guest

    Ken,

    I did what you suggested and here are the check engine light flashed as
    follows:

    1 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 5 - 5

    Thanks for the quick response and any information you can provide!

    Tracey

     
    imadba, Nov 29, 2006
    #3
  4. imadba

    FeMaster Guest

    Code 12: Battery disconnected within last ## key-on cycles / Start of codes
    - Nothing to worry about, normal

    Code 32: EGR Solenoid Circuit - 1) An open or shorted condition detected in
    the EGR transducer solenoid circuit.
    - Not really a good thing...

    Code 55: End of fault codes.
    - Normal
     
    FeMaster, Nov 29, 2006
    #4
  5. imadba

    imadba Guest

    What exactly is the EGR transducer solenoid circuit? How important is it?


     
    imadba, Nov 29, 2006
    #5
  6. imadba

    Ken Weitzel Guest

    Hi Tracey...

    12 is simply the start of the sequence, and 55 is the end, means nothing.

    Leaves you with 32, which indicates an EGR system failure...

    "Required change in air/fuel ratio not detected during diagnostic
    test"

    Once again, not a mechanic, just an old retired electrical guy
    who loves cars, so hopefully the mechanics here will guide you
    further. Meanwhile, check the hoses for leaks, cracks, too
    hard to make a good seal. Check the electrical connector for
    proper solid connection.

    Good luck, and take care.

    Ken
     
    Ken Weitzel, Nov 29, 2006
    #6
  7. imadba

    maxpower Guest

    replace the EGR valve with a MOPAR part, it comes complete with transducer
    and all

    Glenn Beasley
    Chrysler Tech
     
    maxpower, Nov 29, 2006
    #7
  8. imadba

    imadba Guest

    Glenn,

    Is it necessary? What happens if I don't replace it? I found that it costs
    around $3, but I have a history of causing more problems whenever I try to
    work on my cars...

    Thanks for your assistance!
     
    imadba, Nov 29, 2006
    #8
  9. imadba

    maxpower Guest

    $3 dollars, I don't think so!!! An EGR valve for that vehicle may be around
    $100.00 with about an hour labor to install it.
    If the valve goes bad and sticks open you could have stalling problem or
    hard start problem. If it doesn't open you may get a pinging problem at
    highway or accel speeds, Not to mention the emissions that your tailpipe is
    putting out. If the state you live in has an Emissions test program you may
    fail NOX emissions.

    Glenn
     
    maxpower, Nov 29, 2006
    #9
  10. imadba

    maxpower Guest

    A wasn't saying it was $3, I was disagreeing. Purchase the part from
    Chrysler, the valve and transducer as a complete part!!

    Glenn
     
    maxpower, Nov 29, 2006
    #10
  11. imadba

    imadba Guest

    Glenn,

    You're right: The EGR solenoid is around $3; the EGR valve is $60. Is it
    difficult to replace?


     
    imadba, Nov 29, 2006
    #11
  12. Glenn and others,

    Thanks for all your (prompt) assistance! I really appreciate it!!!

    Sincerely,

    Tracey Gray
     
    imadba via CarKB.com, Nov 29, 2006
    #12
  13. Tracey,


    Don't be surprised when you purchase the new EGR and it keeps doing it.

    I have 2 vans, a 1994 T&C and a 1995 T&C and both of them have exactly
    the same symptoms. I've replaced the EGR valve a couple of times in the
    1995,
    both with new parts and known used good parts, taken the EGR valves apart
    several times, everything is good. Both vans pass emissions perfectly, both
    on the static text (which they are now doing ) and on the older dyno tests
    (which they used to do) And when I bought the 1995 it did NOT pass
    NoX emissions because the EGR valve in it had a old, cracked diaphram,
    so I know that the emissions testing facility was doing the testing right,
    because
    after I bought it I got it tested in the morning whereupon it failed,
    replaced the
    valve at lunchtime, and got it tested in the afternoon whereupon it passed.
    Then a week later it did the CEL light at high highway speeds and I took it
    back to the testing center, all prepared to rip a new asshole in the parts
    dealer for selling me a defective EGR valve - and it still passed.

    If you dig into the service manual you will eventually find that the
    engine
    computer occassionally actuates the selonoid (only while at cruising speed)
    and then decides if the exhaust stream composition has changed rapidly
    enough to indicate that the valve is working. My $0.02 is that the engine
    software programmer made a mistake and set the wait period before detection
    for the composition change to be too short. With new engines that have
    tight exhausts, and no carbon buildup in the EGR tube from the exhaust to
    the valve, it's barely enough time, but it works. With the older higher
    mileage
    engines that have minor exhaust leaks, and more carbon buildup in the EGR
    passages I believe the slew from actuating the valve does not produce as
    high a
    composition change, as quickly, and the engine computer decides it faulty
    when it's really not.

    If I were you I would not spend a dime on the EGR valve unless I had got
    it emissions tested and it failed NoX. I would suggest that you take it in
    to be emissions tested, and if it passes, then leave it alone. If you
    absolutely
    must change the valve, be aware that this is one of the FEW parts that is
    cheaper from the dealer than from the aftermarket - and in taking apart
    the dealer valves and comparing them to the aftermarket valves, every last
    thing is absolutely identical including the casting marks and casting run
    numbers. I believe that the same company makes the EGR valve for both the
    aftermarket and the dealer.

    Ted
     
    Ted Mittelstaedt, Dec 1, 2006
    #13
  14. Ted,

    Thank you for your $0.02. Fortunately, my state doesn't require emissions
    test, so I'll just keep ignoring it. I just wanted to make sure that I
    wasn't hurting my car and I feel confident now that I am not.

    Thanks again!

    Tracey

     
    imadba via CarKB.com, Dec 1, 2006
    #14
  15. imadba

    aarcuda69062 Guest

    Because no one as yet has explained that piston damage occurs
    when an engine is detonating due to lack of EGR and that piston
    damaging detonation often occurs long before the driver can
    actually hear it.
     
    aarcuda69062, Dec 1, 2006
    #15
  16. I don't want to hurt my car, but I don't want to waste money and time either.
    The CE light doesn't come on very often -- probably once every 3 months or so.
    I am assuming that whenever this occurs it is because the EGR is failing at
    that point only.

    Am I incorrect is assuming that this represents a miniscule chance of piston
    damage due to lack fo EGR?
     
    imadba via CarKB.com, Dec 1, 2006
    #16
  17. imadba

    aarcuda69062 Guest

    Wrong assumption.
    The light comes on when the EGR *monitor* fails, that is not to
    be confused with the actual EGR operation.
    IOWs, the EGR monitor doesn't run as often as the EGR would
    normally be operating.

    The EGR is there for a purpose, not all of which have to do with
    NOx emissions.
     
    aarcuda69062, Dec 1, 2006
    #17
  18. I won't say "I understand" because I don't really. I'd rather go the easier
    route (not replace it), but I see your point.

    Thanks for your input.
     
    imadba via CarKB.com, Dec 1, 2006
    #18
  19. imadba

    maxpower Guest

    Does the word detonation ring a bell Ted? Another thing is some aftermarket
    will sell just the EGR valve and not the Transducer with it. replace the
    valve install the old transducer and look, the check engine lite is still
    on.. You have taken the EGR valve apart??? Lost me on this one.

    Glenn
     
    maxpower, Dec 1, 2006
    #19
  20. imadba

    maxpower Guest

    Absolutely!!!
     
    maxpower, Dec 1, 2006
    #20
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