My 1999 Saturn SL2 has a service engine soon light on. I had the codes read and two were shown. P0404 and P1404 both referring to EGR error or problems. I bought a new EGR valve and installed it but the problem of the engine revving (sp) and/or dying at stop signs remains. Can anyone help....? Thanks

SOURCE: Please Help... p0404 and p0137 Error Codes (1999 Saturn SL1)

yes egr valve is a common thing on this saturn. very pricy and yes you need the rear o2 sensor good luck i have a used egr if interested off a sl2

SOURCE: Please Help... p0404 and p0137 Error Codes (1999 Saturn SL1)

hey if you truely think it is your egr valve unhook it and if that is the problem then when it is unhooked it should run better and the codes should not come up. hey if you cahnged the 1 o2 sensor and not the other you probably made the code for the one u repalced come up again. i would recommened that you change both of the o2 sensors at the same time. try checking if your catalatic convert is plugged. how you do this is take a dollar bill and hold it at the end of your tail pipe while it is idleing and if the dollar bill stays still you have a plugged catalatic converter.

SOURCE: 1995 saturn sl2 code 32

Hi. The EGR valve is a very sensitive issue. Buying a used one will always result in a continuing fault code. I recommend purchasing a new EGR valve. Before you install it, be sure to clean the EGR housing thoroughly. there can be carbon build inside where this valve is inserted. this carbon will trip the code if its not cleaned out properly.


please rate and god bless.

Steve Allison

• 5569 Answers
• Posted on May 23, 2009

SOURCE: power loss

Can't answer your last question but catalytic convertors that are just not working anymore won't cause any loss of power. However, if they have shattered inside (they are kind of a ceramic honeycomb) they can dump junk into the exhaust system that can eventually clog your muffler or resonator.
Checking whether this has happened isn't difficult; after the warm up of the engine, either you or a helper needs to listen to the exhaust note. If firing of the cylinders is still distinct, the system isn't clogged with shrapnel; if it seems to hiss at higher RPMs, it is likely clogged.
This effect is easy to miss; I've had two failures and when cold, the engine would pull fine because the chunks of ceramic would fall to the bottom of the muffler and glue together somewhat. Once hot and agitated, they would clog the muffler and cause a severe loss of power but the idle would be OK. A hill that I would normally pull at 70 MPH, I couldn't top at all; had to sit and wait for things to cool down before proceeding.
It also seems some engines appreciate a bit of back-pressure in the exhaust system because the car gained in mileage and pulling power for several thousand miles before the clog became critical causing the mileage to fall sharply along with the power.  

Marvin

• 85242 Answers
• Posted on May 26, 2009

SOURCE: PCM code P0404

P0404 - Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Open Position Performance
I suspect the EGR got stuck closed, u will need to put around 30 miles on the car before the light will return if the problem is still present..