Possible causes

– Faulty Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic (DPFE) sensor
– Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic (DPFE) sensor harness is open or shorted
– Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic (DPFE) sensor circuit poor electrical connection

Tech notes

There is a factory service bulletin for the following Mercury models:

2000-2002 Mercury Sable
2001-2002 Mercury Cougar
2001-2002 Mercury Grand Marquis
2002-2003 Mercury Mountaineer
Mercury Factory Service Bulletin OBDII Code P1401 Code

Symptoms

– Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)

P1401 MERCURY Description

The purpose of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system on your engine is to limit oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions. This is done by redirecting small amounts of exhaust gas back through the upper intake to get mixed in with the air/fuel charge. The resultant diluted air/fuel mixture (i.e., less oxygen per cubic foot) burns cooler and combustion chamber temperatures are reduced accordingly, thereby lowering NOx emissions.
The Ford DPFE/EGR system is controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). The system employs an EGR Valve, an Electronic Vacuum Regulator (EVR), and a Delta Pressure Feedback EGR sensor (DPFE).
The DPFE Sensor measures EGR flow across an orifice located inside the special EGR Tube. The orifice is positioned between two hose ports coming off the tube which are connected to the DPFE sensor with special heat-resistant hoses. When the EGR Valve is open, a pressure differential is created across the orifice (intake manifold pressure vs. exhaust pressure). By design, this difference in pressure is measured by the DPFE sensor in terms of voltage. The DPFE voltage signal output to the PCM is directly proportional to the flow of exhaust gas entering the intake manifold.

MERCURY Technical Service Bulletins for P1401 code