2001 Crown Vic "P0402" problem

I have an interestingly annoying problem. I have a 2001 Ford Crown Victoria LX (4.6 SOHC V8, single exhaust, 71k miles), and recently have the dreaded "Check Engine" light on. I have verified that it is a P0402 - "EGR Excessive Flow detected." I reset it, drove a bit, and it came back on. I had my mechanic take a look at it, and he replaced the EGR unit and EGR regulator. Then the light came back and registered the SAME trouble code.

Now, I have scoured this forum, and read every word on the damn P0402 page 5 times, and it cannot be the DPFE sensor, as my car does not utilize/have one for the EGR, according to my mechanic and Ford. I need help on this one. Is my PCM bad (I haven't had any other problems so far, as far as driveability, etc)? Is there something we're missing? Carbon deposits? Calling a witch doctor? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm not too keen on replacing the computer unless I have to.

hey sounds like you should have taken it to someone familiar with this in the first place, could have saved yourself some cash on the valve and the regulaotr. every crown vic built since 91 has a pfe or dpfe including yours, however that being said, they usually set the 0401, not the 0402. the crown/marq's have a vacuum system all of their own to get the egr gases back into the intake, take of the throttle body(4 bolts) and under their you will find the passages all gummed up and blocked, clean em out and reassemble. if you have a scan tool, the dpfe reading should be around 1 volt koeo, if its not, replace it. it is a rectangle, probably aluminum unless its been replaced, about 2 by 3 inches, with 2 hoses. hope this helps

IF the code has set immediately it's usually DPFE rather than plugged ports in my experience. If the code has been setting on and off for months,years it could be plugging. Excessive EGR flow usually sets when the voltages conflict with what the PCM says is allowable because of sticking DPFE.

Thanks for the help. I did find the part I was looking for on AutoZone's website, now I just have to find it under the hood. Thanks a bunch.

Just one question, where is the little bastard located on the 2001 model, if it does in fact use one?

service manual!

you have to take off the plastic cover on engine top and its at the back, little rectangle plastic one, 2 hoses and a 3 wire plug in.