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Vehicle engine and/or automatic transmission

Code: P0487 - The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) throttle control circuit "A" is open or not working, affecting how exhaust gases are recirculated to reduce emissions.

Let me break down what p0487 means, drawing from years of wrestling with diesel engines in the shop. This trouble code shows up mostly on diesels built after 2004-think Ford, Dodge, GM, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki, and VW. What’s really happening is the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) throttle control system is raising a red flag. There’s a specific valve involved-picture something like a throttle body-sitting between your air filter and the intake manifold. Its main job is to pull exhaust gases back into the engine, cutting down on emissions. The PCM (powertrain control module, or engine computer) tells this valve exactly where it should be, then double-checks by reading the feedback voltage from the valve. If the numbers don’t match up, or if there’s a hiccup in the wiring or the valve itself, you’ll get that p0487 code. In plain English, your car’s trying to tell you, ‘Hey, there’s a problem with the EGR throttle valve circuit or how it’s being controlled.’

Main Causes of P0487

From my time under the hood, the root of this code almost always comes down to electrical gremlins. Here’s what I see again and again:

A break or open circuit in the wiring between the EGR throttle control valve and the PCM.
A short to voltage on the signal wire heading to the EGR throttle control valve.
A short to ground in that same signal circuit.
The EGR throttle control valve itself sometimes fails-I've seen them short internally or just quit responding.
It’s rare, but sometimes the PCM itself is at fault. Honestly, that's the last place I'd look.

Most of the time, you’re dealing with a wiring or connector problem. But I wouldn’t rule out a bad valve, especially if the wiring checks out.

Recognizing Symptoms with obd code P0487

With p0487, there are a few tell-tale signs I tell folks to watch for. First off, your check engine light will come on-hard to miss that one. Sometimes, your car might take forever to complete its exhaust system regeneration cycle (that’s when it heats up to burn off soot in the filter). You could also feel a drop in power, or the engine might run rough, but honestly, that warning light is the main thing most drivers notice. Don’t ignore it-these small clues can save you a headache down the road.

Step by Step Diagnosis for dtc P0487

Here’s how I go after this code, step by step. If you’re handy and have some basic tools, you can tackle a lot of this yourself:

First thing’s first-check for any technical service bulletins (TSBs) for your make and model. Sometimes the automaker already knows about the issue and spells out a fix.
Find the EGR throttle control valve. It usually sits between the intake manifold and air filter, looking a lot like a throttle body.
Give the wiring and connectors a careful look. Watch out for cracked insulation, chafed wires, burnt marks, or melted plastic. Corroded connections-especially terminals turning green-are a dead giveaway.
Unplug the connector and peek inside. Dirty or corroded terminals? Clean them up with electrical contact cleaner and a small plastic brush. Let them dry thoroughly, then dab on some dielectric grease to keep moisture out.
If you’ve got a scan tool, clear the code and see if it pops back up. If it stays gone, chances are you had a bad connection.
If the code returns, grab a digital voltmeter and check the signal wire. You’re looking for 5 volts-if you see 12 volts or nothing at all, you’ve got a break or a short somewhere.
Test the ground circuit with a test light. No light? That means your ground’s no good.
While you’re checking, give the wiring harness a gentle wiggle. If your readings flicker, that’s a sign of an intermittent fault-these can drive you nuts if you don’t catch them early.
If all the wiring checks out but the code keeps coming back, odds are the EGR throttle control valve has called it quits. Only after swapping in a new valve and double-checking everything would I even consider the PCM as the culprit.

Having a second set of hands can really help, especially when you’re juggling test lights and wires.

Avoiding Common Mistakes with P0487 engine code

A classic mistake I see in the shop is folks rushing to replace the EGR throttle valve without even glancing at the wiring or connectors. That’s a quick way to burn cash for nothing. Another big one is skipping over cleaning and inspecting terminals for corrosion-sometimes a little green gunk is all that’s in your way. Don’t forget to check for those TSBs; you might save yourself hours with a simple, well-documented fix. And here’s a pro-tip: always double-check the ground circuit. Bad grounds are sneaky and cause more weird problems than you’d think.

How Serious is the P0487 trouble code

I’ll be straight with you-this isn’t the kind of code you want to ignore. If you let p0487 slide, you’re asking for more than just a glowing check engine light. The EGR system is essential for keeping emissions down and your engine running clean. If it’s not working, you could see excessive soot clogging up the DPF (diesel particulate filter), or even damage the catalytic converter. Leave it long enough, and you’ll be looking at costly repairs and sluggish engine performance. You don’t want to be stranded on the shoulder because of something preventable.

Repair Tips for obd2 code P0487

Based on what I’ve fixed over the years and what the manufacturers recommend, here’s what usually gets the job done:

Repair or swap out any damaged wiring or connectors between the PCM and the EGR throttle control valve.
Clean up any corroded terminals and use dielectric grease to fend off future corrosion.
If the EGR throttle control valve fails your electrical tests or the code keeps coming back after you’ve fixed the wiring, it’s time for a new valve.
Replace the PCM only if you’ve ruled out everything else-this is a last resort.
Don’t forget to clear the code and take the car for a test drive to make sure your repair actually worked.

Conclusion

Bottom line-p0487 means your EGR throttle control system needs attention, usually thanks to wiring or valve problems. Tackle this code quickly; ignoring it can snowball into much bigger, pricier issues. Start by thoroughly checking the wiring and connectors, cleaning up any corrosion you find, and only swap out parts once you’re sure they’re toast. The most reliable fix is working through the diagnosis step by step, making the repairs you uncover, and confirming your work with a good test drive. Don’t drag your feet on this one-your engine’s health and your wallet both depend on it.

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