95 Mercury Cougar - EGR Bad?

'Something about the EGR valve' is not good enough to help you. Get the exact code.

What Happy said... if this stuff was as simple as some think, I'd be on welfare. FWIW, there are only about a dozen codes that deal with "something about the EGR" for that model year.

The best way to get to that area is to remove the windshield wipers, wiper motor, and the plastic tray they sit in. Gives you just enough clearance to work in that area.

Congrats on recognizing the difference.. you are right, it MAY be a sensor problem

You may not have to remove it... but you ARE going to have to go back and have the codes read out again. and bring us the actual code

Perhaps a different autozone if that would bother you.

I'm sure that's what the AZ person told you, correct? Sure they only run about $60 to $80 retail. Then the light stays on and now it's probably the solenoid, no biggie, just fork over another ~$49. And so on... it's no wonder AZ does this for free.

In your circumstances, short of using a dealership or indy mechanic, the only way to find out for sure the problem is to get the exact codes, google them or post them here. It could be a number of different issues with the EGR system on your vehicle, a bad solenoid, cruddy pintle, vacuum line, backpressure sensor or transducer... take your pick if you dare, otherwise post the exact code and we'll do our best to debate the cause.

Sleepdog