P044E: EGR Sensor C Circuit Intermittent/Erratic

Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) routes part of the exhaust back into the intake to lower combustion temperature and NOx. What EGR sensor C is depends on the maker: on Ford petrol engines from 2020 it is the DPFE sensor, which measures the pressure drop across an orifice in the EGR pipe (sensor A there is the valve position sensor); GM diesels assign it to the position sensor of a low-pressure EGR valve, but only within fault groups. P044E means short dropouts or jumps in its signal, too brief for P044C/P044D or with an impossible rate of change. No manufacturer document available to us uses this code; Ford applies the same idea to sensor A as P046D, where a limit violation of only 0.4 s counts. EGR diagnosis is then suspended.

Symptoms

• Check engine light on, may come and go
• Usually no driving symptom
• Code returns after clearing

Most likely causes

• Loose contact in the connector or broken wire
• Condensate in the sensor or hose (DPFE)
• Sensor unstable internally
• Interference or ground problems

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

1. Check the connector and any vacuum hoses
2. Gently move the wiring with the engine running and watch whether the reading changes.
3. Use live data to compare the commanded opening with the actual opening
4. Clean the valve and passages if they are clogged with carbon
5. Test the actuator with the scanner
6. Replace the valve if it still does not follow the command after cleaning

Good to know

• Repair difficulty: easy
• It affects emissions.

What each character of P044E means

• P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
• 0: Generic code: same on every make
• 4: Emissions
• 4E: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P044E?

You can normally drive in moderation, but get it repaired soon: if the valve is stuck open, the engine may idle very poorly.

What causes code P044E?

The most common causes are: loose contact in the connector or broken wire; condensate in the sensor or hose (DPFE); sensor unstable internally.

Related codes

• P044AEGR Sensor C Circuit
• P044BEGR Sensor C Circuit Range/Performance
• P044CEGR Sensor C Circuit Low
• P044DEGR Sensor C Circuit High
• P046DEGR Sensor A Circuit Intermittent/Erratic

Sources

• law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
• fordservicecontent.com: OBD Operations Summary Gasoline 2020 2023
• gsi.ext.gm.com: 18OBDG04 Engine Diagnostics

Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.