Chrysler Repair: 1996 Sebring: fault code 32, exhaust gas recirculation valve, exhaust gas recirculation

Question
I have a 1996 Sebring convertible and the service engine soon light came on yesterday.  I used the key trick (on off on off on and stay on) and observed the light blink 1 then 2 then 3 then 2 then 5 then 5 times.  Would this be the code and if so what would it lead to in the form of a cause?  Any help would be appreciated.

Answer
Hi Dave,
This code means that the egr (exhaust gas recirculation) valve did not respond properly when the controller tested it. It probably means the valve stem is sticking in it movement. You will find it bolted into the small pipe that runs from the exhaust manifold on the front bank of cylinders back to the air intake/throttle body. If you examine the valve you will see there is a flanged area, and inside the flange you will see a rod with a circumferential slot. That is the valve stem. Use the tip of screwdriver blade inserted in the slot to move the rod back and forth against spring pressure in one direction. The spring should close the valve tightly. It it seems to be hung up, then spray the stem where it enters the valve body to lubricate it, using WD-40. Then you could either wait for a while to see if the light goes on again, or disconnect the battery for a few minutes to cancel the stored codes. Then drive it and see if the 32 returns, which would mean that the vacuum line that is attached to the round top of the valve assembly is probably disconnected/cracked or the valve is internally clogged and needs to be remove for cleaning.
Disconnecting the battery will cause there to be a new 12 code, which is your other current code, and usually is of no concern because it just tells you that the voltage to the engine controller was disconnected in the recent past (usually when the battery is disconnected, is the cause). The 55 code means "end of readout".
So try that simple spray maintenance on the valve stem, which is likely to solve the problem.
Roland