Dreaded EVAP system problem

gtnovosel · Post by **gtnovosel** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:10 am

2003 Vibe GTWell,... with the check engine light on it was bound to happen.I just failed my state inspection due to emissions issues. The following ODBII codes were on: P0440, P0441 and P0446.From the little bit of info I could get by Googling this it sounds like this can be a real (removed) to solve with multiple possible problems.Any suggestions on where to begin or what part(s) to swap first?TIA, Gary in Massena

nygiantzz1 · Post by **nygiantzz1** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:24 am

Welcome to Genvibe! Here are the codes you listed:P0440Evaporative Emission SystemP0441Evaporative Emission System Incorrect Purge FlowP0446Evaporative Emission System Vent Control CircuitHeres a link to all the codes: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=19669There are several topics about this in the forum, do a search for "codes" . Good Luck getting it fixed.

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 3:02 pm

Quote, originally posted by nygiantzz1 Â»Welcome to Genvibe! Here are the codes you listed:P0440Evaporative Emission SystemP0441Evaporative Emission System Incorrect Purge FlowP0446Evaporative Emission System Vent Control CircuitHeres a link to all the codes: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=19669There are several topics about this in the forum, do a search for "codes" . Good Luck getting it fixed. Sounds like a bad wire or ground on the "vent control" or a bad solenoid, it couldn't be that difficult, there usually under the passenger rear corner... i think...I bet that the multiple codes are all stemming from the same vent/purge issue.... i would think one fix for all 3 codes...1: = A general emissions system failure2: = Lack of purge flow, prolly due to #33: = Vent not opening allowing proper purging of the system, no open = no flow

gtnovosel · Post by **gtnovosel** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:14 am

Thanks for the hints.Thought to try the easy thing first. Pulled the negative battery cable overnight to clear the codes and then vented the gas tank, checking the condition of the gas cap. Drove around town today without the CEL coming back on. Though, of course I drove 95 miles (about 6 short trips) since the prior reset before it came back on.So, for the next couple of days (until I get through the inspection) I am going to continue the routine of venting the cap periodically. If I can go a couple of hundred miles (about a week) w/o the CEL lighting up I'll plumk down some bling for a new gas cap.While I am at it, I'd like to check the lines running to the charcoal canister to ensure they are all tight. But, where the heck is it? I'm still trying to locate where everything is under the hood. For reference, my prior ride was a '91 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. It only had about 6 moving parts, all of which I was able to self service.Thanks, Gary in Massena

kcorona · Post by **kcorona** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:30 am

it's tucked up underneath the back, look under the car right below the gas door.

keithvibe · Post by **keithvibe** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 5:48 am

Quote, originally posted by gtnovosel Â»Thanks for the hints.Thought to try the easy thing first. Pulled the negative battery cable overnight to clear the codes and then vented the gas tank, checking the condition of the gas cap. Drove around town today without the CEL coming back on. Though, of course I drove 95 miles (about 6 short trips) since the prior reset before it came back on.So, for the next couple of days (until I get through the inspection) I am going to continue the routine of venting the cap periodically. If I can go a couple of hundred miles (about a week) w/o the CEL lighting up I'll plumk down some bling for a new gas cap.While I am at it, I'd like to check the lines running to the charcoal canister to ensure they are all tight. But, where the heck is it? I'm still trying to locate where everything is under the hood. For reference, my prior ride was a '91 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. It only had about 6 moving parts, all of which I was able to self service.Thanks, Gary in MassenaChances are venting your tank will not keep the CEL from showing up. It takes about 75miles of driving for the computers system to reset after codes have been clears before new codes can be seen. Another problem is if you clear your codes and then try to pass threw emissions prior to traveling the miles needed for the system to be reset the emissions computer will see that the cars computer was just reset and the car will still fail emissions. Reason I know this is, on Monday I took in my car to get it inspected and I had the ScanguageII plugged in and told the guy doing the inspecting that I had to unplug it so he can run the test and he then went in to the info I just posted above about clearing the codes and resetting the computer. Because he though I was clearing codes with the scanguageII prior to him doing the inspection.I suspect that is why it took you 95miles before the CEL came back because of having the codes cleared. I am not 100% on this, but as I was standing there talking to the guy doing the inspection I over heard the shop manager telling a lady who had a wheel sensor issue and the reason why she didn't pass is because of the code thrown by the sensor and that she would need to drive about 100miles for the computer to reset and if the code didn't come back she was intitled to have the car reinspected free of charge.

gtnovosel · Post by **gtnovosel** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 6:30 am

I had planned on going a 100 miles before taking it back to the shop. Kinda figured that the 'puter would track the mileage when the reset occurs.My main thing is to get the problem fixed at this point. Having a CEL light burning makes me a little nutty, especially as I don't have a code reader and don't know if it is a harmless warning or something major about to blow.Man, I miss my Jeep. It either started or didn't and that was all there was to it .But at 10 MPG it was getting to be a very expensive ride.Thanks all again!

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 9:51 pm

You gotta Autozone in your area?? They will scan your car for free and tell you the code you throw... Consider this for if the CEL comes back up...

Atomicpunk · Post by **Atomicpunk** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:06 am

Gary, my wife's 2003 Base Vibe threw the same codes right before her state inspection was due. Turned out she was having a problem screwing the gas cap on, the plastic retainer around the cap was jammed in the treads. I cleared the codes with a scan tool and would check with the scan tool every few days. For about 2 weeks the scan tool would say codes pending then all was good. I believe the computer has to go through so many start cycles and meet certain parameters before the code is erased. Also as Sublimewind suggested, do a search, it will turn up alot of info here, tell us how it turns out.

RePo · Post by **RePo** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:17 am

My 04 Base came with these codes P0440, P0441 and P0446. I never cared as I lived in the intelligent state of Minnesota where anything that rolls is fair game but now I've moved to Texas and inspections are the one thing wrong with this place (Houston). These Toyotas are chronic with these evap emissions codes and all do it for their entire lifecycle. Researching it just returns articles about how even the repair shops are having difficulty fixing it and just replace everything (charcoal canister) for $300+ each time it returns. This CEL experience is the reason I'll be sure to invest in a pure GM car instead of anything contaminated with Toyota engineering. I have two weeks left before inspection is due and I'll likely just transfer the title to a Minnesota relative and change the plates instead of falling victim to a bad set of circumstances (Toyota engineering vs. state inspection).

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 9:48 pm

Quote Â»This CEL experience is the reason I'll be sure to invest in a pure GM car instead of anything contaminated with Toyota engineering.you do realize you are driving a re-badged Toyota Matrix.... right???

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:41 pm

Any word on it getting fixed?????

robdog · Post by **robdog** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:16 am

Mine had the same codes. It was the charcoal canister connnection, it was completely off. Hooked that back up and cleared the codes. Problem solved. I did buy a new gas cap first becasue the CEL kept coming on after clearing codes. Definitely double check the charcoal canister.

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:00 am

Quote, originally posted by robdog Â»Mine had the same codes. It was the charcoal canister connnection, it was completely off. Hooked that back up and cleared the codes. Problem solved. I did buy a new gas cap first becasue the CEL kept coming on after clearing codes. Definitely double check the charcoal canister.Where was the canister located, so the info is here for the masses... !!

bevibe03 · Post by **bevibe03** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 8:53 am

Hello All, I need to know the part number for this canister, I got the check engine light on my 2003 vibe, I took it to the dearlership and they took me my Evaporator canister was cracked needed to be replaced they want $350 to change it out, Also they change me $98 dollars to read the codes on the car i know I got F*&^^% Up on that,So I want to do this fix myself,Has anyone done this before ? I be reading all over the forum I can not found good info on the canister. Thiis is a good forum I will be around alot .Thanks

Dreaded EVAP system problem

Dreaded EVAP system problem

Re: Dreaded EVAP system problem (gtnovosel)

Re: Dreaded EVAP system problem (nygiantzz1)

Re: Dreaded EVAP system problem (Sublimewind)

Re: Dreaded EVAP system problem (gtnovosel)

Re: Dreaded EVAP system problem (gtnovosel)

Re: Dreaded EVAP system problem (keithvibe)

Re: Dreaded EVAP system problem (gtnovosel)

Re: Dreaded EVAP system problem (Atomicpunk)

Re: (Sublimewind)

Re: (robdog)

Re: (Sublimewind)