DTC P0440 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System. Chevrolet Cavalier 1998

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 1998 🢒 Cavalier 🢒 DTC 🢒 DTC P0440 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System

Engine Controls Components
EVAP and EGR Controls
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

The evaporative system includes the following components:

•	The fuel tank

•	The EVAP vent solenoid

•	The fuel tank pressure sensor

•	The fuel pipes and hoses

•	The fuel vapor lines

•	The fuel cap

•	The EVAP canister

•	The purge lines

•	The EVAP canister purge solenoid valve

•	The EVAP service port

The evaporative emission (EVAP) system is checked by applying vacuum to the EVAP system and by monitoring for a vacuum decay. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) monitors the vacuum level through the fuel tank pressure sensor signal. At an appropriate time, the EVAP canister purge valve and the EVAP vent solenoid are turned ON, allowing the engine to draw a small vacuum on the entire evaporative emission system. After the desired vacuum level has been achieved, the EVAP canister purge valve will turn OFF, sealing the system. DTC P0440 will set because the PCM is not detecting the expected vacuum. This can be caused by the following components with the conditions listed below:

•	The fuel cap for the following conditions:

Missing

-	Malfunctioning

Incorrect

•	The fuel tank pressure sensor for the following conditions:

-	Disconnected

-	Malfunctioning

•	The EVAP purge line for the following conditions:

-	Disconnected

Damaged

Pinched

Blocked

•	The EVAP vent hose for the following conditions:

-	Disconnected

Damaged

•	The fuel tank vapor line for the following conditions:

-	Disconnected

Damaged

Pinched

Blocked

•	The EVAP canister purge solenoid valve for the following conditions:

-	Disconnected

-	Malfunctioning

•	The EVAP vent solenoid for the following conditions:

-	Disconnected

-	Malfunctioning

•	An open ignition feed circuit to the following components:

-	EVAP vent valve

-	Purge solenoid

•	A damaged EVAP canister

•	A leaking fuel sender assembly O-ring

•	A leak in the following items:

Fuel tank

-	Fuel filler neck

Conditions for Setting the DTC

•	The BARO is greater than 75 kPa.

•	The intake air temperature is between 5°C and 29°C (41°F and 84°F) at engine start up.

•	The engine coolant temperature is between 5°C and 29°C (41°F and 84°F) at engine start up.

•	The Intake Air Temperature is not more than 1°C (2°F) greater than the Engine Coolant Temperature at start up.

•	The Engine Coolant Temperature is not more than 7°C (12°F) greater than the Intake Air Temperature at start up.

•	The fuel tank level is between 26 percent and 74 percent.

•	The TP sensor is between 7 percent and 35 percent.

•	The EVAP solenoid is at 50 percent PWM within 65 seconds of the engine run time.

•	The EVAP system is unable to detect vacuum during the diagnostic test.

•	DTCs P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134 and P1133 are not set.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

•	The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminates.

•	The PCM records the operating conditions at the time when the diagnostic fails. This information stores in the Freeze Frame and Failure Records buffers.

•	A history DTC stores.

•	The coolant fan turns ON.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

•	The MIL will turn OFF after one ignition cycle in which the diagnostic runs a pass.

•	The freeze Frame information and the history DTC will clear after one ignition cycle in which the diagnostic runs without a fault.

Diagnostic Aids

Although this DTC is considered a type A diagnostic (refer to Serial Data Communications ), this DTC acts like a type B diagnostic under certain conditions. Whenever this diagnostic reports that the system has passed or if the battery is disconnected, the diagnostic must fail twice before setting a DTC. The initial failure is not reported to the diagnostic executive or displayed on a scan tool. A passing system always reports to the diagnostic executive immediately.

If a DTC P0460 is set along with an EVAP System DTC, the EVAP DTC cannot be considered valid until you repair and clear DTC P0460.

Check for the following conditions:

•	A missing or a damaged fuel cap

•	Missing or damaged O-rings at the EVAP canister fuel vapor and purge line fittings

•	A cracked or a punctured EVAP canister

•	A damaged or a disconnected source vacuum line, an EVAP purge line, a vent hose or a fuel tank vapor line

•	A poor connection at the PCM. Inspect the harness connectors for the following conditions:

-	Backed out terminals

-	Improper mating

-	Broken locks

-	Improperly formed or damaged terminals

-	Poor terminal to wire connection

•	A damaged harness. Inspect the wiring harness to the EVAP vent solenoid, the EVAP canister purge valve and the fuel tank pressure sensor for an intermittent open circuit or a short circuit.

•	A kinked, a pinched or a plugged vacuum source, EVAP purge, or fuel tank vapor line. Verify that the lines are not restricted.

•	Refer to EVAP System Cleaning for further procedure.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the Diagnostic Table.

The Powertrain OBD System Check prompts you to complete some of the basic checks and to store the freeze frame and failure records data on the scan tool if applicable. This creates an electronic copy of the data captured when the malfunction occurred. The scan tool stores this data for later reference.

If a vent solenoid or an EVAP canister purge valve electrical malfunction is present, the purge system will not operate correctly. Repairing the electrical malfunction will very likely correct the condition that set DTC P0440.

This step checks the fuel tank pressure sensor at the ambient pressure.

This step determines whether or not the EVAP system is sealed sufficiently in order to be pressurized. If not, you must locate and correct the large leak before continuing with the diagnosis.

This step verifies that the fuel tank pressure sensor accurately reacts to the EVAP system pressure changes.

This step checks for a stuck closed EVAP canister purge valve.

This step ensures that a sufficient source vacuum is present at the EVAP canister purge valve.

This step insures a proper system integrity.

DTC P0440-Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Control System

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check for 2.4L or Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check for 2.2L

Turn ON the ignition switch leaving the engine OFF.
Install a scan tool.

Is DTC P0452, P0453 or P0460 also set?

Go to Component DTC table

Go to Step 3

Visually/Physically check the fuel cap for any missing or loose conditions.
Replace or tighten the fuel cap if necessary.

Was a loose or a missing fuel cap found?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 4

Command the EVAP canister purge valve ON and OFF with the scan tool.
Command the vent solenoid ON and OFF with the scan tool.

Does the purge valve and the vent solenoid click when commanded ON and OFF?

Go to Step 5

Go to Powertrain Control Module Outputs Diagnosis for 2.4L or Powertrain Control Module Outputs Diagnosis for 2.2L

Remove the fuel cap.
Observe the Fuel Tank Pressure value on the scan tool.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure at the specified value?

-2.4-2.4 mm Hg (

Go to Step 6

Go to

DTC P0452 Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Circuit Low Voltage for 2.4L or DTC P0452 Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Circuit Low Voltage for 2.2L and DTC P0453 Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Circuit High Voltage for 2.4L or DTC P0453 Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Circuit High Voltage for 2.2L

Important:: Before continuing with this diagnosis, zero the EVAP Pressure and the Vacuum gauges on the EVAP pressure/purge cart J 41413. Also, read the temperature variation instructions. Refer to the tool operating instructions.

Reinstall the fuel cap.
Command the EVAP vent solenoid ON (closed) with the scan tool.
Connect the EVAP pressure/purge cart J 41413 to the EVAP service port.

Important: Do not exceed the pressure in the specified value.

Attempt to pressurize the EVAP system to the specified value by using the EVAP pressure/purge cart J 41413 (monitor the pressure with the gauges on the cart with the switch in the HOLD position).

Can the specified value be achieved and maintained?

5 in. H2O

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 8

Maintain the Fuel Tank Pressure at the first specified value.
Observe the Fuel Tank Pressure value on the scan tool.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure at the second specified value?

12 mm Hg

7.2-16.8 mm Hg

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 9

Disconnect the fuel tank vapor line and the EVAP purge line from the EVAP canister.
Block the canister fitting for the fuel tank vapor line.
Connect a hand vacuum pump to the canister fitting for the EVAP purge line.
Ensure that the EVAP vent solenoid is still commanded ON (closed).
Attempt to apply the specified vacuum to the EVAP canister.

Can vacuum be achieved and maintained at the specified value?

5 in. Hg

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 12

Visually/physically check for the following conditions:

•	A restricted fuel tank vapor line

•	A restricted EVAP purge line

If a problem is present, repair the problem as necessary.

Was a problem found?

Go to Step 18

Go to

Disconnect the throttle body to EVAP emission canister purge valve vacuum hose from the EVAP canister purge valve.
Connect a hand vacuum pump to the EVAP canister purge valve vacuum source fitting.
Apply the specified amount of vacuum to the EVAP canister purge valve.
Command the EVAP purge valve ON with the scan tool.

Does the EVAP canister purge valve release the vacuum?

10 in. of Hg (34 kPa)

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 15

Connect the in. Hg vacuum gauge on the EVAP pressure/purge cart J 41413 of the vacuum source line.
Start the engine.
Stabilize the engine RPM near the first specified value.
Momentarily snap the throttle open and then allow the throttle to return to idle.

Did the vacuum gauge read greater than the second specified value when the throttle was snapped open and then closed?

2,500 RPM

10 in. Hg

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 16

Visually/physically check for the following conditions:

•	A disconnected or a damaged vent hose

•	A damaged EVAP canister

If a problem is present, repair the problem as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 17

Visually/physically check for the following conditions:

•	A missing or a malfunctioning fuel cap

•	A disconnected or a leaking fuel tank vapor line

•	A disconnected or a damaged EVAP purge line

•	The quick connect O-rings for the EVAP lines.

If a problem is present, repair the problem as necessary.

Was a repair necessary?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 14

Reconnect all the EVAP hardware that was previously disconnected.
Command the EVAP vent solenoid ON with the scan tool.
With the cart connected to the EVAP service port, continuously attempt to pressurize the EVAP system by leaving the cart control knob in the pressurized position.
Using the ultrasonic leak detector J 41416, locate and repair any leaks in the EVAP system (it may be necessary to partially lower the fuel tank in order to examine the top tank connections).

Is the action complete?

Go to Step 18

Replace the EVAP canister purge valve. Refer to Diagnostic Aids.

Is the action complete?

Go to Step 18

Locate and repair the cause of no source of vacuum to the EVAP canister purge valve.

Is the action complete?

Go to Step 18

Replace the EVAP vent solenoid. Refer to Diagnostic Aids.

Is the action complete?

Go to Step 18

Important: Review the temperature variation instructions included with the J 41413 before performing this step.

Reconnect all the EVAP hardware that was previously disconnected.
Turn ON the ignition switch leaving the engine OFF.
Command the EVAP vent solenoid ON (closed) with the scan tool.

Important: Do not exceed the pressure in the first specified value.

Pressurize the EVAP system to the first specified value with the EVAP pressure/purge cart J 41413 (monitor the pressure by using the gauge on the cart).
Switch the rotary switch on the cart to HOLD and observe the EVAP pressure gauge.

Does the pressure decrease to less than the second specified value within 2 minutes?

15 in. H2O

10 in. H2O

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 19

Clear the DTCs with the scan tool.
Start the engine.
Idle the engine at the normal operating temperature.
Operate the vehicle within the conditions for setting this DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the scan tool indicate that the diagnostic ran and passed?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 2

Check to see if any additional DTC are set.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed?

Go to the applicable DTC table

System OK