GM 32 EGR System Failure
How to read it
Code 32 reads as 3 flashes, pause, 2 flashes on the check-engine light. Jump terminals A and B on the ALDL connector with the key off, then turn the key on with the engine off and count the check-engine flashes.
New to flash codes? The How to Read GM OBD-I Codes with a Paperclip walks through the test and what the numbers mean. The general OBD-I guide covers the rest.
What does GM code 32 mean?
EGR System Failure
Common causes of 32
- Carbon clogged EGR valve stuck open or closed
- Failed EGR solenoid or vacuum switch
- Cracked or leaking EGR vacuum hoses
- On carbureted models a BARO sensor circuit fault uses this same code
How to fix 32
- Inspect vacuum hoses for cracks and correct routing
- Command the EGR valve open with a hand vacuum pump and check for stall or stumble
- Test the EGR solenoid and vacuum switch per the manual
- Clean carbon from valve passages before replacing parts
- On carbureted models test the BARO sensor as the alternate cause
Source
Qualified source review
Sources and review
Review: qualified. Read the source limits below.
- GM and Chevrolet OBD1 Trouble Codes (ALDL Fault Code List)
live reference page (troublecodes.net)
Supports: code identity and GM meaning
Fetched directly. Single publisher, so the record is qualified, not verified. Causes and check order are curator-written from the circuit the code names.
https://www.troublecodes.net/gm/
Last updated 2026-09-19.
Report a correction for 32. Include your vehicle, the issue and a source if you have one.