PO401 code repair on a 1998 Toyota Camry 

You’re welcome! Good luck with your car. Hope my video helped you somehow 😁

I replaced the vacuum modulator on my 97 2.2L & could hear the EGR clicking with vacuumed applied & released, so, I sprayed throttle body cleaner down the 3 vacuum hose hook up nipples (engine off & very cold) that are basically above the throttle body butterfly plate, using the rigid tube spray can head extender that comes with the cleaner and that got rid of my problem with P041 code. You’d think that as suction openings that they would not get clogged but so much for my thoughts on that! I just had no desire to try getting at that computer controlled vacuum breaking valve that is buried under the engine so I did a desperate thing & it worked out very well with months since then. Thanks

By the way, on my 4 cyl 97 the hose that connects to the bottom of the vacuum modulator valve is connected to the pipe that feeds exhaust gas up to the bottom of the EGR Valve. It is a pressurized exhaust gas source and not a vacuum source……so if the vacuum modulators internal diaphragm dies and ruptures, does this mean that dirty exhaust gas can get sucked thru it & can get sucked back by throttle body suction to those vacuum nipple supplies on top of the throttle body and block them up or limit adequate vacuum supply? Make up any explanation that seems to fit? So far, no EGR codes since spraying those nipples with throttle body cleaner thru a plastic extension nozzle tube, after replacing the old vacuum modulator. Good luck to you.

Fyi this can also be your catalytic converter is giving you this code. Cataclean in the gas tank is very good to use. I'm at this point now. My problem is trying to get in dash twist and turn sockets for number 74 bulbs. Two are missing from my Camry. And I don't want wild bright LED replacements. Any ideas would be great. Local dealer doesn't have them. Discontinued. What a joke. There's a lot of 4th generation Camrys still on the road.

Ok good for you, thank you for information.

You’re welcome Anthony and thanks for the compliment. Glad that this video has helped you and others. By the views, I would’ve never thought that this was such a common problem so I’m really glad I could help others.

Thank you, glad I can help.

Thank you

Yah I had cleaned my EGR out also and it didn’t work so I ended up replacing the VSV. Took a while to figure it out but finally got it. Hope your diy fixed your problem. Thanks for the comment!

@@rprojects4553how do you clean them?

You could get EGR cleaner at auto store or get W40 and spray holes .

@@rprojects4553 ok thank you brother

Welcome

Hey Edwin! You’re very welcome. Thanks for watching my video. I hope it helped you out. Let me know how the fix turned out for you. Have a great day!

Well I’m glad you were able to figure that out yourself. I enjoy fixing my own cars and figuring out the problems. Saves us some money! Always a good thing. Thanks for the comment Jake Kelley!

Thanks for info.

You’re welcome Donald! So glad it helped you. Have a great day!

Welcome

Welcome

Great to hear! Hope it helped you!

Okay sounds good! Hopefully that’ll take care of the problem. Let me know how it works out!

Thank you for the comment! Have a good one!

Welcome

You’re welcome! Glad you were able t fix it.👍🏼

Glad it worked for you. That’s what I had to change, the VSV and same thing, no more check engine light or codes! Well hope this video helped somewhat. Have a great day!

my car won’t even start up but i got a brand new Alternator and stater and battery and i also replaced my fuel pump but that same code popped up i don’t have money to go to a shop plz help 😩

@@trawwilson400 Did you try and replace that vacuum control valve? It says on his description that that is what worked for him

@@kingdomcome7450 no i’m waiting for it to come in i just ordered it

@@trawwilson400 Sorry for the confusion. It’s the vacuum switch valve. It should take care of the problem. Let me know how it works out for you!

Oh wow!😂

As long as it did the job, right?!👍🏼

You welcome, that was my culprit, had I known I would of started there. Some one else it might be a different culprit, but for me I still gained cause I replaced all other parts new, but when I got there it took care of my problem, glad it helped you.

Thanks! I’m glad I was able to help

Thank you for the comment! Hope it helped you!

Nailed it !!! VSV valve what a pain in the ass, but got it done !!! No more egr code, and passed smog !!! Thanks again !!!

Ok thank you

Happy to help thank you

Good for you buddy,sometimes it could be something else , but usually , the main culprit is part I changed after replacing all other parts, good job.

You welcome

Thank you

The VSV is located in the rear of the engine, in front of the rear motor mount. It’s a little to the right of the motor mount. Thanks for the comment and hope that helped!

Also your hoses that go to your EGR connects to it so that might be an easier way of finding it

Thanks Cameryn for the comment! Appreciate it😁

Samuel, yes that’s right.

You’re welcome! Glad the video helped!

Juan Suarez hope it turns out good for you. I also went through all those diagnosis but the valve was my last resort and thank God it worked! Let me know how it turns out for you but in any case, hope my video helped you somewhat. Have a great day!

@@rprojects4553 thank you very much I changed the modulator and the VSV but the code reappeared, just last Saturday I realized that the P and R vacuum ports that are connected to the EGR modulator were totally covered, I proceeded to disassemble the throttle body and uncover those two ports, I hope that is the definitive solution to that problem, since Saturday until now the check light has not appeared again.

You are right, I had to change every part that pertains to that code, ended up wasting money on them, when I discovered VCV I went and re placed it, it solved my problem, I put it on here to hopefully help some one, With same code, that they don’t halfto waste money and do what I did. It helped me , and hopefully help some one else.

I'm throwing parts at my EGR problem too. Replacing vacuum hoses as well, but my car is 24 years old and not many things last 24 years in a hot operating environment without going bad.

Does anyone know what causes your car to keep cutting off?

I’m thinking egr valve or the vacuum

Let me know in the comments

You’re welcome

Hi thanks for the comment. It shouldn’t be more of a problem than that. Just make sure you check all the hoses that connect to the vsv and egr, that they are not loose but connected on there tightly. Hope that helps! Have a good one!

Good luck , hope you get to it

Thanks! Hope it helped you!

You’re welcome! Hope it helped you!

Thank you

Thank you

Hey Samuel, appreciate you checking out my video. Hope it helped!

You’re welcome! Glad it helped you

Welcome

The last part he changed is a vacuum switching valve. If you take your car to Auto Zone they will read the codes for you for free. You can also buy a code reader (scanner) from Auto Zone as well. Prices vary from $75 - 150 depending on models/brands/features.

Hi Wayne! I borrowed the code reader from my son and I believe he got it from Amazon and the same goes for the part. I try to go the cheap route as much as possible but if all else fails I have to get one from an auto supply place like Autozone or O’reillys. Hope that helped!

Okay. Glad it helped you!

@@rprojects4553 I'm very grateful! Cheers! =)

Ok , sometimes when cars do that , might be that there is not enough fuel going in , could be your gas filter is plugged up or your fuel pump is not working properly and going out, Check your fuel rail on top of engine , on it it has a valve like a tire does like if you are going to put air on it, put glasses on then push it to see if there is pressure if none your fuel pump is going out or plugged up fuel filter 3 rd if your car drives fine and suddenly shut off could be your crank shaft sensor. Hope it helps.

@@rprojects4553 Thanks for the reply. I was able to drive it some today and it continued to act up. And I was able to get the check engine light to come back on with the same code. Would the VSV cause this problem?

Sparkplugs and coils might need replacement, could have a misfire

@@societyreborn33 Ended up being the crankshaft position sensor.

If it is stalling on you while driving, check your fuel pressure to see if there is any gas’s coming out , if it’s good and have gas pressure, then try replacing. Crank shaft sensor, when they go bad they do that , won’t start or turns off on you.

It could be your throttle control sensor. Or check the cable that goes from your pedal to the throttle it might need some DWD lube on it , or there is a adjustment screw in that area that you can adjust.

Oh okay. Well hope you were able to fix the problem. Have a great day!

Did you replace the one behind the engine vsv and did you plug them in correctly. Also check your gas cap. Let me know.

Sorry I thought I responded to you, what changed was me changing the VCV valve , check engine turned off after I re set code

Yea if it s time to smog car you half to address code cause it won’t pass smog with The code or check engine showing.

Hi. Can you be more clear, pls

Glad you were able to troubleshoot yours. Yes this is unfortunately a common problem with these cars. That’s why I put up this video. I think it’s so important to share this knowledge with every DIYer. Have a great one!

Good to know that. Thanks

You’re welcome

@@rprojects4553 no inteligencia with U about what i said to U

Can you be more clear? I don’t understand what you’re trying to say?

@@rprojects4553 on my car there's no EJR vacum also the engine light its off There is problem will be if no ejr ?

Yah, I would think that would be a problem whether or not you have a check engine light on or not. Best bet would be to look in a car junkyard and see if there’s a car like yours and if it has an EGR or not.

Yup some f bombs too!

Muy cierto si.

Yes they are, si muy buenos.

Sorry, I couldn’t understand what you were trying to say😬

@@rprojects4553 about the collant temperature gauge

@@JuanMorales-ks4ll okay thank you

My bad you're right

Yah this is what fixed the problem for my Camry. Hope the video helped you!

Yah it happens😅

?

Sorry but I don’t speak Russian

@@rprojects4553 Да я шучу, всё в порядке. Не понятно что говорите, но понятно, что делаете. У меня у сына камри из Америки, занимаемся еë востановлением. Всего вам доброго, спасибо за видео!)

Is that good or bad?