Faulty EGR valve pintle position sensor or the valve assembly itself; Damaged or corroded wiring harness at the EGR valve connector; Loose or backed-out pins in the EGR valve electrical connector; Open or shorted circuit in the pintle position signal wire; Carbon buildup on the EGR valve pintle preventing proper movement; Failed engine computer driver circuit for the EGR position sensor

DTC codes / Chrysler codes / P1406

P1406 · ChryslerEGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit

Q: What does code P1406 mean?

EGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit. P1406 on Chrysler vehicles means the engine computer has detected a problem with the electrical circuit that reports the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve pintle position. The computer compares the pintle position sensor signal against expected values and flags the code when the voltage or resistance falls outside the valid range.

P1406 on Chrysler vehicles means the engine computer has detected a problem with the electrical circuit that reports the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve pintle position. The computer compares the pintle position sensor signal against expected values and flags the code when the voltage or resistance falls outside the valid range.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeChrysler specific

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaAuxiliary emission controls

Symptoms you may notice

Illuminated check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms
Rough idle or stalling after the engine warms up
Surging or hesitation during light-throttle acceleration
Poor fuel economy or increased emissions
A slight decrease in engine performance at cruising speed
Occasional pinging or spark knock under load

Common causes, most likely first

Faulty EGR valve pintle position sensor or the valve assembly itself
Damaged or corroded wiring harness at the EGR valve connector
Loose or backed-out pins in the EGR valve electrical connector
Open or shorted circuit in the pintle position signal wire
Carbon buildup on the EGR valve pintle preventing proper movement
Failed engine computer driver circuit for the EGR position sensor

How to diagnose and fix it

Scan all modules and record freeze-frame data to confirm the code is current and not a history code
Visually inspect the EGR valve connector and wiring for corrosion, chafing, or loose pins
Measure resistance and voltage on the pintle position sensor circuit and compare to Chrysler specifications
Remove the EGR valve and check the pintle for carbon buildup or mechanical binding
Test the pintle position sensor with a scan tool while manually moving the valve to verify smooth signal changes
Replace the EGR valve assembly if the sensor or pintle is faulty, then clear codes and verify the repair
If the circuit tests good and the valve is new, check the engine computer driver circuit for an internal fault

What most technicians miss on P1406

A sticking pintle caused by carbon buildup often sets P1406 without any driveability complaint, so the valve should be removed and inspected before any electrical parts are replaced.
The pintle position sensor is frequently integrated into the EGR valve on Chrysler engines, meaning a failed sensor requires replacing the entire valve assembly rather than a separate sensor.
Corroded terminals inside the EGR valve connector can mimic a failed sensor, so always perform a loaded voltage drop test on the signal wire rather than trusting a simple unplugged resistance check.
P1406 can be set by a momentary glitch in the sensor signal that does not repeat, so clearing the code and test-driving under the same conditions as the freeze-frame data is essential before condemning parts.
A vacuum leak or exhaust restriction elsewhere in the EGR system can cause the pintle to travel outside its expected range and trigger P1406 even when the valve and wiring are healthy.

Can I keep driving with P1406?

You can usually continue driving with P1406 because the engine will default to a safe EGR strategy, but avoid long trips or heavy loads until the fault is repaired. Prolonged driving with a faulty EGR circuit can increase emissions and may lead to rough running or stalling in some conditions.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for Chrysler vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.