Last year when we had our bad gas crunch in NC I did something I usually will never do. I was so low on gas I had to wait in line while the tanker dropped it's load. The Sam's Club I get my gas at had been shut down for a couple of days with no gas as was all the other stations in the area. I saw the tanker pull in and like a scene from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome We all converged on the pumps. I made it to 4th in line. The next day my check engine light came on giving me a PO403 code. I do not know if it has anything to do with getting the gas or if it just happened that way. Has anyone dealt with this code before. The computer shows it could be EGR Valve Solenoid or a vacuum leak. Where is the Solenoid located and is there a way to test it. I have got to pull the intake and replace the valve cover gaskets so while I am there I am doing plugs wires cap and rotor. If I need to do something with the EGR Valve this sure would be a good time to have easy access to it.

This is an 03 Eclipse GT with a 3.0 (Automatic)

Any suggestions, Thanks

 

solenoids are a common failure. located in front of the motor right above the timming covers. also i would bet that the ports for the egr valve in the intake are clogged up, restricting flow. this is also common on the v6. both of these failures are caused by using low grade gasoline. walmart ect....... leaves ALOT of carbon deposits behind.

 

Thanks jgbrules, I was going to take a picture of what I thought was the solenoid and post it but I found a picture on line and it is what I thought it was.
Next question, before I throw $100.00 at it is there a way to test it?

Don't mind spending the money if it's broke but if I spend $100.00 I want it to be broke.

Thanks

 

OK I replaced the solenoid let light cycle and it went off in about 30 miles. Stayed off a week and then came back on. I cleared the code and let it cycle again and light came back on but this time is showing a code P0401. Waiting for warmer weather now so i can pull intake and do tuneup,valve cover gaskets and while I have it that clear will pull the EGR and clean the ports to see if that takes care of the flow problem.