P0407 – Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve position sensor B low input

By Reinier (Contact Me)
Last Updated 2018-02-21
Automobile Repair Shop Owner

Table of Contents

1. What Does Code P0407 Mean?
2. Where is the P0407 sensor located?
3. What are the common causes of code P0407 ?
4. Get Help with P0407

What Does Code P0407 Mean?

OBD II fault code P0407 is a generic code that is defined as “Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve position sensor B low input”, and is set when the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) detects an abnormally low input voltage in the control circuit of the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve’s position sensor.

NOTE:  While this circuit is typically labelled “B” on most applications, car manufacturers do not always label circuits, sensors, parts, and components in the same way. Therefore, it is necessary to refer to the manual for the affected application to determine which sensor/circuit is labelled “B” on that application. Failure to identify parts, sensors, and circuits correctly could lead to a misdiagnosis, and the unnecessary replacement of parts and components.

The purpose of exhaust gas recirculation is to introduce precisely metered amounts of exhaust gas under specific conditions into the engine to reduce combustion temperatures to below 2 500⁰F, which is the temperature at which NOx (oxides of nitrogen, an atmospheric pollutant) forms as a by-product of the combustion process. Note that since the introduction of exhaust gas into the engine has a negative impact on the efficiency of the combustion process, the EGR system is designed in such a way that only small volumes of exhaust gas  is introduced at any one time, and then only enough to have a slight quenching effect on the combustion process.

While design specifics vary greatly between applications, all EGR systems consist of a valve (that is connected directly to the exhaust system), an electrically controlled solenoid or vacuum actuator to open and close the EGR valve, wiring, various sensors including flow, temperature, and sometimes differential pressure sensors, and a position sensor that communicates the position/status of the EGR valve pintle to the PCM.

In terms of operation, the PCM collects input data from a variety of engine sensors to determine when to introduce exhaust to limit the formation of NOx. Note however, that in a fully functional EGR system, exhaust gas will never be introduced when the engine is idling, at low engine speeds, or under WOT (Wide Open Throttle) conditions on a gasoline engine, since under these conditions the introduction of exhaust gas can seriously affect the combustion process.

NOTE: Since diesel engines always run with excess air, these engines are not as sensitive to the introduction of exhaust gas as gasoline engines. Therefore, the conditions under which exhaust gas is injected into a diesel engine are different from those on gasoline engines.

Nonetheless, when the PCM determines that operating conditions are such that combustion will not be affected (typically at steady cruising speeds), it will command the EGR valve to open, with the degree of opening depending on current operating conditions. When the EGR valve opens, the position of the EGR valve pintle is monitored by a dedicated position sensor, and on most applications, the PCM interprets the position of the valve position as a volume of exhaust gas that is flowing through the EGR valve.

In this manner, the PCM is able to control both the volume and flow rate of the exhaust gas that enters the engine, but only if-

• all the components, including all relevant sensors and signal circuits of the EGR valve’s control system work as intended
• the EGR valve itself and/or all the passage through which exhaust gas flows are clear and free of restrictions i.e., not clogged up with carbon
• the PCM receives accurate input data on the position of the EGR valve pintle and other parameters such as (among others),accurate input data from the NOx sensors in the exhaust system

From the above it should be obvious that for the EGR system to work as intended, all of the sensors, actuators, and other parts of the EGR system must all work as designed, since the PCM does not have the ability to compensate for the failure of any part of the system. Therefore, when the PCM detects a failure or malfunction in the EGR system’s control system that prevents it from controlling the system effectively, it will set code P0407 as a result. Note that whether or not a warning light is illuminated on the first failure depends on both the application, and the nature of the problem.

Where is the P0407 sensor located?

The image above shows a simplified flow diagram of a typical vacuum operated EGR system. However, due to the large number of EGR system designs in common use today, it is not possible to provide accurate details on the actual location(s) of all components of all EGR systems on all, or even most applications, except to state that on most applications, the EGR valve itself is most commonly located directly on the inlet manifold, and that the position sensor is most commonly integrated into the EGR valve.

What are the common causes of code P0407 ?

Note that the possible causes of code P0407 are many and varied, due to the large number of designs and control mechanisms on modern EGR systems. Note also that due to the nature of exhaust gas, and particularly diesel exhaust gas, blockages of EGR valves and/or exhaust gas passages in manifolds and cylinder heads are a major cause of this code.

Nonetheless, some other common causes of this code could include the following, but note that some or all of the possible causes listed below may also be indicated by dedicated codes other than P0407-

• Damaged, burnt, shorted, disconnected, or corroded wiring and or connectors in the EGR control system
• Split, damaged, perforated, or dislodged vacuum hoses in the case of vacuum operated vacuum systems
• Defective electrical control solenoid or stepper motor in the case of electrically operated EGR valves
• Defective vacuum actuator
• Defective vacuum check valves or other vacuum operated components
• Defective EGR valve position sensor
• Defective differential pressure sensor (Ford applications)
• Excessive build-up of carbon deposits that inhibit the free movement of the EGR valve pintle
• Failed or failing PCM. Note that this is a rare event, and the fault must therefore be sought elsewhere before any control module is replaced

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