So, what’s an EGR Pressure Feedback Sensor?
If you’ve just been told your New Car EGR Pressure Feedback Sensor is playing up, no worries — you’re not alone, and it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Your car’s EGR (that’s Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system basically takes some of the fumes that normally shoot out the tailpipe and recycles them back into the engine to help keep emissions down. The EGR pressure feedback sensor is what keeps tabs on all of this, watching how much pressure is going through when the engine’s running.
In real-life Hamilton driving — whether you’re cruising along Te Rapa Straight, crawling through Five Cross Roads in the morning gridlock, or bouncing over a pothole out in Flagstaff — this little bit of tech helps keep your engine happy and exhaust nasties low. Too much or too little exhaust going back into the engine will muck with the mix, and that’s where the sensor comes in, chatting to the car’s computer so the EGR valve knows when to open or close.
What happens when the EGR pressure sensor goes bung?
Seen a few Toyotas, Mazdas, even the odd Renault or Kia with dodgy sensors lately. We get both guys and ladies popping in from places like Cambridge or Ngaruawahia after noticing their car’s not running quite right. Common symptoms:
- Higher fuel use — you find yourself filling up more on your Hamilton to Morrinsville run
- Sluggish on the hills or roundabouts — less acceleration, sometimes even rough idle or misfires, especially on stop-start Peachgrove Road traffic
- Check Engine light pops up — classic sign, especially on some hybrids like Honda Insight and Toyota Aqua
- Exhaust smells a bit worse, more smoke — can mean emissions are up
When the sensor isn’t reading right, your EGR valve might stay shut when it should be open (or vice versa). Seen this cause cars to fail their WOF Hamilton check — emissions out the wazoo, and you’re back for a recheck.
Common symptoms in the workshop
Had a customer with a Peugeot 308 just last month, she noticed the car would hesitate every time she turned onto Greenwood Street after the lights. Straight away, our tech spotted the EGR pressure sensor chucking out dodgy readings. Changed the sensor and it was back to smooth running. Another one — a Hyundai i30 from Tamahere, guy reckoned he was spending heaps on fuel for no reason. Old sensor was jammed up from a winter’s worth of stop-start runs with the heater blasting.
What should you do?
If you’re noticing your car’s not quite itself, chewing through gas, or the dash has lit up like a Christmas tree, it might be as simple as a faulty EGR pressure feedback sensor. It’s a straightforward fix. You don’t have to be stuck with a rough runner or risk failing your WOF over something small.
Our team at Grimmer Motors can diagnose, repair, or replace your EGR sensor (and sort out any other car service Hamilton problem you throw at us). Whether you’re in Rototuna, Raglan, Whatawhata or driving a Nissan Serena or a Suzuki Swift, we’ll get you sorted so you can get back on the roads — traffic, potholes, and all.
If you need a hand with your EGR pressure feedback sensor, or just want a check on the whole EGR system, give us a bell.