MegaPhoenix

I'm having a check engine light for the EGR system and my mechanic told me it could be the EGR valve solenoid. So I decide to change it myself and order it off ebay. It looks like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Chevy-C...YAAOSw8hpdt3sC Is this part even for this Firebird?

So I look around under the hood but I can't find anything that looks like it. Checked everywhere around the valve and there's nothing that looks like this. There is a line from the EGR valve going to another part with two inlets but it looks longer than mine and had a cable coming out of it rather than a connector. There is something on the vapor canister but it's different. Looked at some diagrams on this site but they don't mention an EGR solenoid for my engine. My canister is in the top right part of the engine bay. I found a picture on this site of a similar engine. Is the circled part the solenoid? If so it seems the part on ebay is different. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark RWC

Yes the egr solenoid is highlighted in red. Have you checked the codes yourself? Check vacuum lines for good connection and hoses for cracking on hoses to the egr solenoid and egr. Try unbolting the egr and cleaning the carbon out. Check the rubber diaphragm on EGR.
Years ago my friends 89 Firebird 2.8 automatic was showing an EGR. I went to replace the valve and a loose vacuum hose was the problem.

MegaPhoenix

Ah I see. Any idea where I could find that particular solenoid? The one on ebay doesn't seem to be right at all. Or is there a different gm vehicle with a similar solenoid? My mechanic checked the code. He didn't say what the number was but said it might be the solenoid. After reading around these forums, I'm more likely to believe there's a vacuum leak somewhere. I replaced the EGR valve with a NOS Rochester one so I think it's fine. I guess checking the hoses would be a good place to start. Would I be able to feel the vacuum coming from a leaky line? Is there a good diagram or thread on this site for checking the whole vacuum system? I realize the Hayne's manual I have is completely worthless.

Mark RWC

Carb cleaner can be sprayed on the vacuum lines. If the engine speed changes when area is sprayed there is a leak. This method is hazardous so you should have a fire extinguisher on hand. A visual inspection should be tried first. Our cars are 30 years old so in my case the vacuum lines were dried out so I picked some generic line suitable for emissions at Oreilly. If you do this after fixing your current problem replace one at a time and test be doing the next line.
Did you change the ERG after the check engine code was found? There are positive and negative vacuum EGR valves and it is important you have the correct valve. If the problem started after the valve was replaced try the old one and see if the code clears. Also look at the letter N or P on old valve. P=positive N=negative pressure.
I looked for the ERG solenoid at one time and did not find one.

Mark RWC

ERG and ERG solenoid Firebird 2.8

Mark RWC

88Firebird V6 auto ERG &ERG solenoid

Mark RWC

Got a chance to look at the 4 wire connector for the Electronic Vacuum Regulator Switch next to the ignition coil. The solenoid coil wires are pink/black and grey. Remove the connector and use a meter to read the coil resistance. Zero ohms would be a bad coil. Not sure of the standard resistance of the solenoid coil but something around 100 to 200 ohms might be a reading to look for. The other 2 wires that supply information to the ecm are black/white and black.
It looks like GM discontinued the part sometime ago. Some V8 guys have discussed using a Corvette EGR solenoid if you search the forum.

MegaPhoenix

Thanks for the info. I'll have to really inspect the lines when I get a chance. I actually found the solenoid on Amazon but it's over 100 bucks. I'll test the resistance on mine using the method you described and see what it reads. Maybe I'll look into those Corvette solenoids if it's bad. To be honest, I wasn't aware there were positive and negative valves until I started reading around on here. The code for the egr was there before I replaced the valve but I'm going to double check the old one vs the new one. Maybe I made a mistake putting the wrong valve in, further adding to the problem. That page you have listed, is that from a Hayne's manual? I swear I have an old version of the manual that has next to no info for my V6 engine. Oh question, can anything about the EGR system prevent the car from starting? As in no crank or anything? Thanks.

Cesarduque44

Hi guys, I’m trying to change my egr valve but have no luck taking the bolts off. Any idea on how I can remove them. There’s not a lot of room to work with

MegaPhoenix

I did it somehow and put the new one on but I don't quite remember the details. All I was working with was a socket wrench, a small and long extension, and some open ended wrenches. May have had to painstakingly remove and tighten a bolt in very very small increments. Besides that I could not see myself removing any parts besides moving the alt out of the way and maybe the plastic tubing components leading from the filter to the intake. But that may not be necessary. You just need to wiggle it like Scotty Kilmer.

MegaPhoenix

I should have bought this thing 3 years ago when I could still find it. Now it's nowhere to be found. Does anyone know where I can find one of these egr valve solenoids? I think the GM number is 14089438. I also noticed that some parts for different cars look very similar. Are these interchangeable or is something about the design drastically different? Like this for example: https://www.stockwiseauto.com/bwd-eg...el=El%20Camino

KITT87

I have no clue about interchangeability but my car is also throwing a code 32 that I’m going to find the source of this afternoon. Might be worth posing in the parts wanted section to see if anyone has one.