GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptor

DTC P0441: Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System No Flow During Purge

Diagnostic Fault Information

EVAP Canister Purge Solenoid Valve

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Ignition 1 Voltage

P0441

P0441

--

--

EVAP Canister Purge Valve Control Circuit

P0441, P0455

P0441

P0441

--


EVAP System Flow Conditions

Component

Cause

DTCs

EVAP Canister Purge Solenoid Valve

Stuck Open, Leaking

P0441, P0455

Stuck Closed, Blocked or Restricted Passages

P0441

EVAP Vent Solenoid Valve

Stuck Open, Leaking

P0441, P0455, P2420

Stuck Closed, Blocked or Restricted Passages

P0441, P0455

Connecting Components, Fuel Filler Pipe Cap

Loose, Leaking

P0441, P0455

Circuit/System Description

The diagnostic strategy for the evaporative emission (EVAP) system uses a vacuum pump to test for system leaks, after the engine is OFF. A unique fuel tank, EVAP canister, and EVAP vacuum leak pump work together to provide enhanced system diagnosis. The vacuum leak pump, the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor and the EVAP canister vent valve are all integral parts of one assembly. The assembly is attached directly to the EVAP canister, located near the fuel tank.

After the vehicle has sat with the engine OFF for greater than 5 hours and the engine coolant temperature is less than 35°C (95°F), a comprehensive diagnostic is enabled. The complete diagnostic test can take up to 15 minutes to run, with leak detection comprising the largest portion of the test.

The EVAP canister purge valve is used to purge fuel vapor from the EVAP canister to the intake manifold. Ignition voltage is supplied directly to the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve. The powertrain control module (PCM) controls the solenoid by grounding the control circuit with a solid state device called a driver. The EVAP canister purge valve is pulse width modulated (PWM). The PCM can determine if the EVAP purge solenoid is operating correctly by monitoring the changes in fuel tank pressure.

The following table illustrates the relationship between the ON and OFF states, and the OPEN or CLOSED states of the EVAP canister purge and vent valves.

Control Module Command

EVAP Canister Purge Valve

EVAP Canister Vent Valve

ON

Open

Closed

OFF

Closed

Open

Conditions for Running the DTC

Condition 1

    • DTC P0011, P0012, P0100, P0101, P0102, P0103, P0110, P0112, P0113, P0115, P0117, P0118, P0120, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0220, P0222, P0223, P0300-P0304, P0335, P0339, P0340, P0341, P0351-P0354, P0450, P0451, P0452, P0453, P0500, P2102, P2103, P2111, P2112, P2118, P2119, P2120, P2121, P2122, P2123, P2125, P2127, P2128, P2135, and P2138 are not set.
    • Atmospheric pressure is between 70-110 kPa.
    • Battery voltage is greater than 10.5 volts.
    • Intake air temperature (IAT) is between 4-35°C (40-95°F).
    • Engine coolant temperature (ECT) is between 4-35°C (40-95°F).
    • The engine has been running for greater than 5 minutes.
    • DTC P0441 runs continuously when the above conditions have been met.

Condition 2

    • DTC P0011, P0012, P0100, P0101, P0102, P0103, P0110, P0112, P0113, P0115, P0117, P0118, P0120, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0220, P0222, P0223, P0300-P0304, P0335, P0339, P0340, P0341, P0351-P0354, P0450, P0451, P0452, P0453, P0500, P2102, P2103, P2111, P2112, P2118, P2119, P2120, P2121, P2122, P2123, P2125, P2127, P2128, P2135, and P2138 are not set.
    • Atmospheric pressure is between 70-110 kPa.
    • Battery voltage is greater than 10.5 volts.
    • Condition 1 portion of the DTC P0441 diagnostic ran and passed during the last ignition cycle.
    • The fuel level is calculated to be between 25-75  percent.
    • The ignition has been OFF continuously for greater than 5 hours and the ECT is between 4-35°C (40-95°F).
    • DTC P0441 runs once per drive cycle when the above conditions have been met.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

Condition 1

The pressure indicated in the EVAP canister and the fuel tank does not drop when the EVAP canister purge solenoid is ON.

OR:

The pressure indicated in the EVAP canister remains very low when compared to atmospheric pressure when the EVAP canister purge solenoid is OFF.

Condition 2

The pressure indicated by the fuel tank pressure sensor during EVAP vacuum pump operation is not within the specified values.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTC P0441 is a Type B DTC.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTC P0441 is a Type B DTC.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Controls Schematics

Description and Operation

Evaporative Emission Control System Description

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Special Tools

J 23738-A Vacuum Pump

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Command the EVAP purge solenoid ON and OFF with a scan tool. You should hear the solenoid click when commanded ON and OFF.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC to verify the DTC does not reset. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition ON, observe the DTC information with a scan tool. Verify that DTC P2420 is not set.
  2. If the DTC is set, refer to DTC P2419 or P2420.
  3. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the EVAP purge solenoid.
  4. Ignition ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the ignition 1 voltage circuit terminal 2 and ground.
  5. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ignition 1 voltage circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the ignition 1 voltage circuit fuse is open, test all components connected to the ignition 1 voltage circuit and replace as necessary.
  6. Ignition OFF, connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 1 and the ignition 1 voltage circuit terminal 2.
  7. Ignition ON, command the EVAP purge solenoid ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should be pulsing ON and OFF when activated.
  8. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the PCM.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If circuit tests normal, replace the PCM.
  9. Connect a vacuum gauge to the purge port of the EVAP purge solenoid.
  10. Engine running, verify the vacuum gauge reading is zero.
  11. If the vacuum pressure is greater than the specified range, replace the EVAP purge solenoid valve.
  12. Command the EVAP purge solenoid ON with the scan tool. Verify the vacuum gauge reads manifold vacuum when the solenoid is activated.
  13. If the vacuum pressure is less than the specified range, replace the EVAP purge solenoid valve.
  14. If all circuits test normal, test for the following conditions:
  15. • DTC P0455 was also set--refer to DTC P0455 or P0456
    • A blockage or restriction in the purge line between the purge solenoid and the EVAP canister
    • A faulty EVAP canister--refer to Evaporative Emission Control System Diagnosis

Component Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the EVAP purge solenoid.
  2. Test for 23-26 ohms at 20°C (68°F) between the control terminal 1 and the ignition 1 voltage terminal 2.
  3. If not within the specified range, replace the EVAP purge solenoid.
  4. Test for infinite resistance between each terminal and the EVAP purge solenoid housing.
  5. If not the specified value, replace the EVAP purge solenoid.
  6. Connect the J 28742-A to a vacuum port of the EVAP purge solenoid. Apply 34 kPa (10 inch Hg) of vacuum to the EVAP purge solenoid port. You should be able to obtain and hold vacuum pressure.
  7. If the vacuum pressure is less than the specified range, replace the EVAP purge solenoid valve.
  8. Connect a 10A fused jumper between the EVAP purge solenoid ignition 1 voltage terminal 2 and B+.
  9. Connect a second fused jumper between the EVAP purge solenoid ground terminal 1 and ground. The vacuum pressure should decrease to zero when voltage is applied.
  10. If vacuum pressure is greater than zero, replace the EVAP purge solenoid valve.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Evaporative Emission Canister Purge Solenoid Valve Replacement
    •  Control Module References for control module replacement, setup, and programming