97 codes need fix

p0404
p0301
p1133

what is the fix I need to do? also this is a SL1

 

P0404 = EGR Circuit (Closed valve Fault)
P0301 = Engine Misfire Detected in Cylinder 1
P1133 = Oxygen Sensor (Too few switches)

When was the vehicle last tuned? How many miles? Did it just start acting
up or has the service engine soon light been on for some time? If it just
started, was any work done to it recently?

I'd start with the basics since they are cheap: (1) New properly gapped
0.40" OEM spark plugs, (2) New ignition wires if these are more than a
couple years old (make sure they are routed properly), and 3) a good fuel
injector cleaner (e.g. Techron).

If this does not fix it, I'd take a look at the ignition coil tower. This
can be easily removed (4 bolts) and
then the connectors can be cleaned with a wire brush and some sandpaper.
Make sure the engine block under the base, the base plate, and the bolt
holes are also clean and shiny since they provide ground for the unit.
(These can have a lot of corrosion preventing good spark and possibly
causing the misfire on cylinder #1.)

If you still have a problem, you can then try popping the fuel injectors at
the connector and making sure they are all clean and tight. I've personally
seen simply reseating a fuel injector connector solve a misfire on this
engine.

If still no luck, then you might try to remove and clean the EGR valve. The
gasket is cheap and should be replaced when you do this.

As a last resort or if the P1133 code remains, you can try to replace the O2
sensor.

Good Luck!

Bob

 

Note: gap on plugs should be 0.040" Sorry about the typo...

 

thanks for the info

the car has 172,000 miles light has been on for a long time need to fix for
inspection I did replace o2 sensor upper one fixed the light a little on and
off now steady again will let you know how I make out

 

The mileage helps, but you do not indicate when the plugs were last replaced
or the wires. My guess is that you will also definitely need to remove and
at the minimum clean (worst case replace) the EGR valve.

As background, my son's '96 Saturn 1.9L had 115K miles when the EGR failed.
When I removed it it was pretty coked up in the passageway and was
definitely sticking. I used a small flat blade screwdriver to chip most of
the stuff out and then used a small dermal tool with a wire brush attachment
to polish up inside there as best I could. When I was done I used some
throttle body cleaner to dissolve whatever else might have been in there.
When I was done I cleaned the passage ways to the intake and exhaust
manifolds with a small "battery" type wire brush (for cleaning inside the
battery clamp). The EGR valve operated manually beautifully when I was done
and everything was pretty clean. The new gasket cost us about $3 and when
we put it all back together it worked fine and the code (different from
yours, but my guess is your EGR is so bad it won't operate at all any more)
disappeared.

My point here is the EGR is pretty simple to remove and may be reusable. He
has subsequently driven the car for about 1 1/2 years without this
re-occurring.

My last thought here is if it has not been done lately, replace the PCV
valve since these have a tendency to clog and can cause oil burning which
can cause spark plug fouling and accelerate the EGR problem.

Good luck. Most everything I've suggested here is low cost and easy to do
yourself.

Bob

PS The fuel and air filters are other things which should be changed
regularly. The air filter is a breeze to change, but the fuel filter can be
difficult due to its location.