Yes, the annoying P0405 EGR code is back. It first popped up last month when I drove my car into work, in the rain. After work I move my car from one section of the parking garage to another part of the same garage, but closer to the Metro entrance (This is important, trust me.) I only ran it for a couple minutes. When I returned to my car a few hours later, the code came up about 10 seconds after starting the engine.
I cleared the code when I got home about an hour later, and it didn't come back until earlier this week. In the meantime I had driven to the store several times, with no CEL.
But, Monday, I had to move my car from the garage to the driveway, and only ran it for a couple minutes (I told you this was important). A few hours later I moved it back to the garage, and the light came back on. Again I cleared the code. I drove the car to the grocery store Wednesday with no codes. I checked the memory for any stored/pending code. Nothing.
Today, the contractor was back, and I had to move my car again. Same setup. I only ran the car for a couple minutes. I checked for codes after I parked in the driveway, and it was clean. This time it was less than an hour before I moved it back to the garage, and sure enough I got the same P0405 code just a few seconds after starting the engine. It's consistent and repeatable. That's both good and bad.
I called the shop that checked and changed my EGR valve last time, and they agreed to bench test my EGR valve compared against their bench unit. I don't know what I want to see. Another BAD EGR valve? What makes them go bad? Is it from driving in the rain? Bad wire bundle? What if the EGR checks good? Do I then just make a habit of driving MORE than 2 minutes? Just be prepared to reset the code and drive on my way?
It's frustrating! Everything else in the VX operates perfectly, even the windows and CD player! Why does the EGR valve have to be such a pain?
Maybe I'll just buy one of those eBay specials, and run a few continuity checks myself. At least then I'll be able to troubleshoot this myself instead of relying on a shop that changes $100/hour.
UPDATE 16-MAR-2015 - NAPA replaced the EGR valve back in November 2014 under warranty a second time and I have not had any codes return since. (I know this will jinx me, and it will fail the next time I drive it.)
UPDATE 21-MAR-2015 - AAAARRRGGGHHH!!!! I should have kept my mouth shut. Got a P1404 code today! Hopefully, it was just my driving style that tripped the code. I cleared the code and will keep my fingers crossed.
UPDATE 24-APR-2015 - The P1404 popped up again after a 125 mile highway speed drive from Pennsylvania. I'm worried about this "new" EGR valve.
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