P1406

EGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit

Car Fault Codes Chevrolet Emissions & exhaust

Can you still drive? With care, short trips only

Who can fix it? DIY with some experience

Typical repair time 30 minutes – 2.5 hours

Typical cost SAR 100 to 1,800

What it means

This is a Chevrolet (GM) manufacturer-specific code, and the same number can mean something different on other makes. The computer found a problem with the pintle position sensor signal of the linear EGR valve: either the signal is out of range or it does not match the position commanded. The cause can be electrical in the wiring or sensor, or mechanical if the pintle does not move as it should.

Models covered: Chevrolet (GM) models with a linear EGR valve, mainly 1990s–2000s.

Symptoms4

Check engine light on.
Rough idle if the valve stays open.
Light pinging under load if the valve does not open.
Possibly no clear symptoms if the electrical fault is intermittent.

Possible causes5

A corroded or loose EGR valve connector.
An open or short in the sensor signal, reference or ground wire.
A failed pintle position sensor built into the valve.
Carbon buildup that stops the pintle reaching the commanded position.
An engine computer fault (rare).

How to diagnose5

Read the codes and watch the pintle position reading with key on, engine off.
Use the scan tool to command different valve openings and compare actual with commanded position.
Inspect the connector and wiring for heat damage or corrosion.
Measure reference, ground and signal at the connector and compare with the manufacturer specification.
If the circuit is good, remove the valve and inspect the pintle for carbon.

How to fix5

Clean the connector and repair damaged terminals.
Repair broken or shorted wires.
Clean carbon from the valve and EGR passage.
Replace the EGR valve if its built-in sensor is faulty.
Clear the codes, test drive and confirm the code does not return.

Repair cost

0–500

500–2,000

2,000–5,000

5,000+

In Saudi riyals; the highlighted part is the expected range for this fault.

Connector repair or cleaning keeps the cost low, while replacing the valve with its built-in sensor puts it at the high end.

Prices are rough estimates for common cars at independent workshops and vary with the car and the source of the part.
Prices last updated: September 2026

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell whether the fault is electrical or the valve?

Watch the actual position on a scan tool while commanding different openings. A fixed or illogical reading with good wiring points to the valve and its sensor, while a reading that drops out when the wiring is moved points to an electrical fault.

Can the sensor be replaced alone?

On most linear EGR valves the sensor is part of the valve, so the complete valve is replaced.

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This guide is for information only and does not replace an inspection by a qualified technician. If the fault involves brakes, steering, engine temperature, electrics or refrigerant, do not attempt the repair yourself.

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