Phil,
Thanks for taking the time to write a response and offer your experience with this problem. I plan to follow your recommendations, but I first need some clarification.
a. When you say "so the smog guy had to say he could rest it "because it was on." Not sure what that meant
b." . . . . they would just slip the little red wire off, that inside the black terminal box on the fender as it has a wire going directly to the battery. I saw two tiny scrapes on the spade terminal." Could you give me a little more detail on that? Where exactly is the "black terminal box"?
c. OK now, for the main event. When you write "I operate the valve with 12 volts and listen for a faint click".
- Are you referring to the EGR Vacuum controller (Part # 3531138 - You call it "The little solenoid valve", Bentley calls it the EGR vacuum booster), or to the EGR valve?
- If the controller/booster, how exactly do you perform that? Do you detach the two wires at the connector? How do you then apply 12 volts?

d. "There is plastic cap on the very top of the valve that is removable by pulling off the aluminum crimp ring". Attached is a picture of this part, which sells for $350. Is this what yours looks like? I don't see a crimp ring on mine. I do not see a way to remove the plastic top and I'm reluctant to try to remove that top lest I break it and have to pay for a new one.

By way of progress, today I examined the areas you mentioned and then decided to once again try to erase the fault code memory, which was successful. Right now there is no Check Engine Light. I have no confidence that it will continue. However, if it does, I will hurry to get a smog check, call it a day, and work the problem with no deadline.

Anybody know how to add a picture to this?

Jerry