What would be the first and most likely reason for my 1997 buick lesabre to be giving me a egr pintle position circuit malfunction?

If it's the GM engine the fault is on the exhaust gas recirculating system. Get a good mechanic to check it.
Fault code P1406 = EGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit.

Definition of Diagnostic Trouble Code P1406 Audi: EGR Temperature Sensor Range/Performance BMW: Heated Catalyst Internal Control Module Checksum/ROM Error Buick: EGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit Cadillac: EGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit Chevrolet: EGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit Ford: Differential Pressure Feedback Sensor Downstream Hose Off Or Plugged GMC: EGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit Isuzu: EGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit Lincoln: Differential Pressure Feedback Sensor Downstream Hose Off Or Plugged Mazda: DPFE Sensor Downstream Hose Off Or Plugged Mercury: Differential Pressure Feedback Sensor Downstream Hose Off Or Plugged Oldsmobile: EGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit Pontiac: EGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit Saturn: EGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit Toyota: Turbo Pressure Sensor Range/Performance Problem Volkswagen: EGR Temperature Sensor Range/Performance Volvo: Termperature Warning > 100 degrees C

Yes an EGR will cause a vehicle to not start. That code means EGR is not working properly and That the pintle is stuck in the open or closed position. The EGR burns the unburned fuel that wasnt burned the first time by passing it through the engine again instead of raw fuel out the tailpipe.

P1406 Code - EGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit
The PCM monitors the EGR valve pintle position input to ensure that the valve responds properly to commands from the PCM and to detect a malfunction if the pintle position sensor and control circuits are open or shorted. If the PCM detects a pintle position signal voltage outside the normal range of the pintle position sensor, or a signal voltage that is not within a tolerance considered acceptable for proper EGR system operation, the PCM will set DTC P1406.

CONDITIONS FOR SETTING THE DTC

Ignition 1 voltage is greater than 10 volts.
EGR Feedback is less than 0.14 volt at any time.

OR

EGR Feedback is 0.4 volt greater or less than the EGR Closed Valve Pintle Position when the Desired EGR Position is commanded to 0%.

OR

Actual EGR Position is 20% greater or less than the Desired EGR Position.
Any of the above conditions are present for longer than 20 seconds.

ACTION TAKEN WHEN THE DTC SETS

The PCM will illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) during the second consecutive trip in which the diagnostic test has been run and failed.
The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame and Fail Records data.

CONDITIONS FOR CLEARING THE MIL/DTC

The PCM will turn the MIL OFF during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has been run and passed.
The history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.
The DTC can be cleared by using the scan tool Clear Info function or by disconnecting the PCM battery feed.

DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
Check for the following conditions:

Open EGR ignition filter circuit.

An open in the EGR ignition filter circuit will cause EGR Position Error to vary erratically while the EGR valve is operating. With the ignition ON, a test light should illuminate when connected between ground and the EGR ignition filter circuit at the PCM connector. If not, locate and repair the open in the EGR ignition filter circuit.

Excessive deposits on EGR valve pintle or seat.

Remove the EGR valve and check for deposits that may interfere with the EGR valve pintle extending completely or cause the pintle to stick.

Poor connection or damaged harness. Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the Actual EGR position display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the EGR valve. A change in the display will indicate the location of the malfunction.

Reviewing the Fail Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set

TEST DESCRIPTION
Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table:

Verifies that the malfunction is present.

The PCM contains a recirculation diode which filters the EGR ignition feed for the EGR valve. The recirculation diode is connected to the ignition filter (EGR ignition feed) circuit. If the ignition filter circuit is open, Actual EGR position may be erratic when compared to Desired EGR position. An open in the EGR ignition filter circuit will cause DTC P1406 to be set after an extended period of time.
If DTC P1406 will only set under certain conditions, the malfunction may be intermittent; refer to DTC P1406 Diagnostic Aids. If an intermittent wiring problem is not present, check for a poor connection at the PCM or the EGR valve. If the connections are OK and DTC P1406 continues to set, replace the EGR valve.

This vehicle is equipped with a PCM which utilizes an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM). When the PCM is being replaced, the new PCM must be programmed.


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P0301 Code - Cylinder #1 Misfire Detected
A P0301 code means that the the car's computer has detected that one of the engine's cylinders is not firing properly. In this case it's cylinder #1.

Symptoms may include:
the engine may be harder to start
the engine may stumble / stumble, and/or hesitate
other symptoms may also be present

Causes: A code P0301 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:
Faulty spark plug or wire
Faulty coil (pack)
Faulty oxygen sensor(s)
Faulty fuel injector
Burned exhaust valve
Faulty catalytic converter(s)
Running out of fuel
Poor compression
Defective computer

Possible Solutions:
If there are no symptoms, the simplest thing to do is to reset the code and see if it comes back.

If there are symptoms such as the engine is stumbling or hesitating, check all wiring and connectors that lead to the cylinders (i.e. spark plugs). Depending on how long the ignition components have been in the car, it may be a good idea to replace them as part of your regular maintenance schedule. I would suggest spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap, and rotor (if applicable). Otherwise, check the coils (a.k.a. coil packs). In some cases, the catalytic converter has gone bad. If you smell rotten eggs in the exhaust, your cat converter needs to be replaced. I've also heard in other cases the problems were faulty fuel injectors.


Check it and keep us updated.

This code indicates a problem with the EGR valve's pintle position. The EGR Valve's pintle could just be stuck in which case the problem could be fixed by cleaning the EGR valve.

If the EGR valve is electronically controlled or cleaning the valve does not fix the problem, you will most likely have to replace the EGR Valve. i hope this helps

P1406: EGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit. Check for carbon buildup in the EGR Valve as well as make sure it moves with ease . I would also check the vaccuum line everywhere but look closely near your canister and follow any vaccuum hose going to the EGR vavle circuit for any dry rot or being loose. I hope thsi helps and good luck.

DTC P1406 IS EGR VALVE PINTLE POSITION CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION CONDITIONS.POSSIBLE CAUSE EGR SOLENOID CONTROL CIRCUIT IS OPEN SHORTED TO GROUND OR TO B+ -CHECK EGR VALVE FUSE - OR THE EGR VALVE AND PCM HAS FAILED.

It's an egr valve problem (exhaust gas return) egr position sensor.
Take off the egr valve and turn it over and see if there is carbon build up in the ports, if there is clean it out with a pipe cleaner and a little carbon cleaner, just spray a little into the ports and clean it out. If that doesn't cure the problem, then either the sensor needs replacing, and or the egr valve.

P0740 is TCC circuit malfunction P0753 is shift solenoid A circuit electrical P0758 is shift solenoid B P1406 is EGR pintle position and P01860 is TCC circuit.

P1406 - EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) Valve Pintle Position Circuit

You most likely have either a defective EGR position sensor or a peice of carbon holding the EGR pintle valve off it's seat.