error 403 EGR

Had a engine light come on today after about 5 miles.
Code reader shows a 403 something about EGR
Cleared code, light went off and almost immediately back on.

2005 VVT

Is it most likely to be the EGR valve itself or possibly the wiring etc?
Are there any tests I can do before struggling to remove it ... seems that is not easy to access given what my search has thrown up.

Can I safely continue to drive it or am I going to cause damage?

Oh well.
Going to try and remove it today and see what I can see.

Don't relish having to replace it. New part is not exactly cheap!!!

Well that's 3 hours of my life I'm not getting back.

Got the valve off along with the pipe connecting it to the inlet.

Does not appear to be particularly filthy but I clean it anyway. Pipe is clear.
Refitted and no difference. Clear the 403 code and it comes straight back.

Is swapping it the only option? Can you test the valve off the car?

403 code suggests the EGR  control circuit is at fault, open or short circuit. So look for damage wires or connectors associated with this circuit, but being realistic it's more likely the ERG valve solenoid has failed.
It should be possible to test, both the connector on the harness (supply etc) and the ERG solenoid for impedance and actual movement of the valve with 12vdc applied. What I don't have to hand at the moment is the circuit diagrams or impedance values etc, I'll try and look later. In the mean time if anyone knows chip in.
Mike

Thanks for that.
After a further hunt round I found a bit in the manual about testing resistance across the 6 pins in the connector.

 

Whipped mine off again, amazing how much quicker it is the 2nd time!!
On testing 3 pairs show 22ish, but F-E show 8ish.

So replacement valve it is I guess 

Do I trust a £60 one from china or 3-4 hundred on a named brand??? Hmmmm.
 

Good find re info, yes F-E don't look correct, so likely that portion of the coil has failed.
Being able to return the part easily in the event it don't fit or fails is a factor to consider, then price. If you can find a good supplier of the cheaper unit it's got to be worth a go. 
Good luck, hope it fixes the issue.
M

Well a 60 quid replacement arrived today. Not had chance to fit it yet but thought I'd check the resistances just to see.

All pairs 13 so all the same but all out of spec .... I'll probably sling it on anyway and see if the error clears, but I'm not holding my breath...

Well fingers crossed this is my last update in this thread.
Put the replacement on, an awful lot of hassle as I managed (god knows how) to get the most difficult to get at bolt cross threaded which meant it took a couple of hours rather than some minutes.

But, I cleared the outstanding code, started her up and no reappearance of the engine light this time. So out of spec resistance wise or not it seems to work.

Of course the next question is for how long .....