GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 22793  Size: LF
Engine Controls Components
EGR Valve, EVAP System
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

The evaporative system includes the following components:

    • The fuel tank.
    • The EVAP canister vent valve.
    • The fuel tank pressure sensor.
    • The fuel pipes and hoses.
    • The fuel cap.
    • The EVAP vapor lines.
    • Ther EVAP purge lines.
    • The evaporative emission canister.
    • The EVAP purge valve.

The evaporative leak detection diagnostic strategy is based on applying vacuum to the EVAP system and monitoring vacuum decay. The PCM monitors vacuum level via the Fuel Tank Pressure sensor input. At an appropriate time, the EVAP purge valve and the EVAP canister vent valve are turned ON, allowing engine vacuum to draw a small vacuum on the entire evaporative emission system. If a sufficient vacuum level cannot be achieved, a large leak or a malfunctioning EVAP purge valve is indicated. This can be caused by the following conditions:

    • Disconnected or malfunctioning fuel tank pressure sensor.
    • Missing, loose or malfunctioning fuel cap.
    • Disconnected, damaged, pinched, or blocked EVAP purge line.
    • Disconnected or damaged EVAP canister vent hose.
    • Disconnected, damaged, pinched, or blocked fuel tank vapor line.
    • Disconnected or malfunctioning EVAP purge valve.
    • Disconnected or malfunctioning EVAP canister vent valve.
    • Open ignition feed circuit to the EVAP canister vent or purge valve.
    • Damaged evaporative emissions canister.
    • Leaking fuel sender assembly O-ring.
    • Leaking fuel tank or fuel filler neck

Any of the above conditions can set DTC P0440.

Conditions For Setting the DTC

    • No TP sensor, IAT sensor, or MAP sensor DTC(s) set.
    • Start up engine coolant temperature is between 4° C and 30° C (40° F and 86° F).
    • Start up engine coolant temperature is not more than 8° C (14° F) greater than start up intake air temperature.
    • Start up intake air temperature is between 4° C and 30° C (40° F and 86° F).
    • Start up intake air temperature is not more than 2° C (4° F) greater than start up engine coolant temperature.
    • Fuel tank fuel level is between 15% and 85%.
    • BARO is greater than 75 kPa.
    • The EVAP system is not able to achieve or maintain vacuum during the diagnostic test.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the first trip in which the diagnostic test has been run and failed.
    • The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame and Failure Records data.

Important: Although these diagnostics are considered type A, they act like type B diagnostics under certain conditions. Whenever the EVAP diagnostics report that the system has passed, or if the battery has been disconnected, the diagnostic must fail during two consecutive cold start trips 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.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The PCM will turn the MIL OFF when the diagnostic has been run and the malfunction condition is no longer present.
    • A history DTC P0440 will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.
    • DTC P0440 can be cleared by using the scan tool Clear Info function or by disconnecting the PCM battery feed.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

    • Loose, missing, or leaking fuel cap.
    • Cracked or punctured EVAP canister.
    • Damaged or disconnected source vacuum line, EVAP purge line, vent hose or fuel tank vapor line.
    • Poor connection at the PCM.
    • Inspect harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and poor terminal to wire connection.
    • Damaged harness. Inspect the wiring harness to the EVAP canister vent valve, the EVAP purge valve, and the fuel tank pressure sensor for an intermittent open or short circuit.
    • Kinked, pinched or plugged vacuum source, EVAP purge, or fuel tank vapor line. Verify that the lines are not restricted.
    • Malfunctioning or damaged canister.
        A malfunctioning canister may intermittenly allow charcoal into the EVAP purge solenoid and associated lines causing a DTC to be set. Use the following procedure to check for a carbon release condition:
        1. Turn OFF the ignition switch.
        2. Remove the EVAP purge valve. Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Purge Solenoid .
        3. Lightly tap the EVAP purge valve and (if applicable) the vacuum switch on a clean work area looking for carbon particles exiting either of the vacuum ports.
        4. If no carbon release is evident, reinstall the components and continue with the DTC P0440 diagnostic table. If carbon is being released from either component, continue with this service procedure.
        5. Remove the charcoal canister from the vehicle.
        6. Ensure that the main cylinder valve is turned off on the
Object Number: 20803  Size: SH
(1)Main Valve
(2)Evaporative Emission System Purge/Presure Diagnostic Station J 41413
(3)Nitrogen Cylinder
(4)Black Connecting Hose
(5)Threaded Fitting
(6)Gauge Set
EVAP purge/pressure diagnostic station.
        7. Disconnect the black hose that connects the nitrogen cylinder to the EVAP purge/pressure diagnostic station at the pressure regulator by unscrewing the knurled nut on the regulator. No tools are required to remove the black hose from the regulator.
        8. Using a section of vacuum line, connect one end over the open threaded fitting of the EVAP purge/pressure diagnostic station pressure regulator.
        9. Connect the remaining end to the EVAP purge valve end of the EVAP purge line at the vehicle and turn on the main nitrogen cylinder valve. Continue to blow any debris from the purge line for 15 seconds.
        10. Return the EVAP Pressure/Purge Diagnostic Station to its original condition by re-installing the black hose that was disconnected in step 7.
        11. Replace the following components:
       - The EVAP purge valve. Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Purge Solenoid .
       - The EVAP canister. Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Replacement .
        12. Proceed with the DTC P0440 diagnostic table.

Reviewing the Fail Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.

Test Description

Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.

  1. If a vent valve or EVAP 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.

  2. Checks the fuel tank pressure sensor at ambient pressure.

  3. Determines whether or not the EVAP system can be sealed sufficiently to be pressurized. If not, the large leak must be located and corrected before continuing with diagnosis.

  4. Verifies that the fuel tank pressure sensor accurately reacts to EVAP system pressure changes.

  5. Checks for a blocked EVAP purge valve. The PCM commands the EVAP purge valve OFF (open) and the vent valve ON (closed) with the scan tool System Perf EVAP output control function activated. Any pressure in the system should be released through the EVAP purge valve within a few seconds when System Perf. is activated.

  6. Ensures that sufficient source vacuum is present at the EVAP purge valve.

DTC P0440 - EVAP System

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to the Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Important: Visually/physically inspect for the following conditions:

   • Vacuum or purge lines disconnected. Refer to Emission Hose Routing Diagram .
   • Loose or missing fuel cap.

Is DTC P1655 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Purge Solenoid Control Circuit or DTC P1675 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Vent Solenoid Control Circuit also set?

--

Go to the other DTC first

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition switch.
  2. Remove the fuel cap.
  3. Turn ON the ignition switch.
  4. Observe Fuel Tank Pressure on the scan tool.

Is Fuel Tank Pressure at the specified value?

0 in. H2O

Go to Step 4

Go to Evaporative Emission Control System Diagnosis

4

Important:: Before continuing with diagnosis, zero the EVAP Pressure and Vacuum (inches of H2O) gauges on the
Object Number: 20803  Size: SH

(1)Main Valve
(2)Evaporative Emission System Purge/Presure Diagnostic Station J 41413
(3)Nitrogen Cylinder
(4)Black Connecting Hose
(5)Threaded Fitting
(6)Gauge Set
EVAP pressure/purge diagnostic station.

  1. Replace the fuel cap.
  2. Capture Fail Record data for DTC P0440 and clear DTCs.
  3. Using the scan tool, command the EVAP canister vent valve ON (Closed).
  4. Connect the
    Object Number: 20803  Size: SH
    (1)Main Valve
    (2)Evaporative Emission System Purge/Presure Diagnostic Station J 41413
    (3)Nitrogen Cylinder
    (4)Black Connecting Hose
    (5)Threaded Fitting
    (6)Gauge Set
    EVAP pressure/purge diagnostic station to the EVAP service port.
  5. Attempt to pressurize the EVAP system using the EVAP pressure/purge diagnostic station (monitor pressure using the EVAP pressure gauge on the EVAP pressure/purge diagnostic station).

Can specified value be achieved?

5 in. H2O

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

5

  1. Maintain EVAP system pressure at 5 inches of H2O.
  2. Observe Fuel Tank Pressure on the scan tool.

Is Fuel Tank Pressure at the specified value?

5 in. H2O

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 7

6

  1. Disconnect the fuel tank vapor line and the EVAP purge line from the EVAP canister.
  2. Block the canister fitting for the fuel tank vapor line.
  3. Connect a hand vacuum pump to the canister fitting for the EVAP purge line.
  4. Ensure that the EVAP canister vent valve is still commanded ON (Closed).
  5. Attempt to apply vacuum to the EVAP canister.

Can vacuum be maintained at the specified value?

5 in. Hg

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

7

  1. Visually/physically check for the following conditions:
  2. • Restricted fuel tank vapor line.
    • Restricted EVAP purge line.
  3. If a problem is found, repair as necessary.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Evaporative Emission Control System Diagnosis

8

  1. Disconnect the vacuum source line at the EVAP purge valve and plug the vacuum source fitting on the solenoid.
  2. Using the scan tool output tests function, select System Perf. and activate.
  3. Pressurize the EVAP system to the first specified value (monitor pressure using the EVAP pressure gauge on EVAP pressure/purge diagnostic station).
  4. Observe the EVAP pressure gauge on the EVAP pressure/purge diagnostic station while removing the plug from the EVAP purge valve vacuum source fitting.

Does the EVAP pressure decrease to the second specified value within 15 seconds while System Perf. is activated?

5 in. H2O

0 in. H2O

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 13

9

  1. Connect the in. Hg vacuum gauge on the EVAP pressure/purge diagnostic station to the vacuum source line.
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Run the engine above 2000 RPM and observe the source vacuum level.

Is the source vacuum level greater than the specified value?

-15 in. Hg

Refer to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 14

10

  1. Visually/physically check for the following conditions:
  2. • Vent hose disconnected or damaged.
    • EVAP canister damaged.
  3. If a problem is found, repair as necessary.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 15

11

  1. Visually/physically check for the following conditions:
  2. • Missing or malfunctioning fuel cap.
    • Disconnected or leaking fuel tank vapor line.
    • Disconnected or damaged EVAP purge line.
  3. If a problem is found, repair as necessary.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 12

12

  1. Using the scan tool, command the EVAP canister vent valve ON.
  2. With the EVAP pressure/purge diagnostic station connected to the EVAP service port, continuously attempt to pressurize the EVAP system by leaving the EVAP pressure/purge diagnostic station control knob in the pressurize position
  3. Using the ultrasonic leak detector J 41416, locate and repair leak in EVAP system. It may be necessary to partially lower the fuel tank to examine the top tank connections.

Is action complete?

--

Go to Step 16

--

13

Replace the EVAP purge valve. Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Purge Solenoid .

Important: Check for carbon release into the EVAP system. Refer to Diagnostic Aids.

Is action complete?

--

Go to Step 16

--

14

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

Important: Check for carbon release into the EVAP system. Refer to Diagnostic Aids.

Is action complete?

--

Go to Step 16

--

15

Replace the EVAP canister vent valve. Refer to Evaporative Emission Vent Valve Replacement .

Is action complete?

--

Go to Step 16

--

16

  1. Turn ON the ignition switch.
  2. Using the scan tool, command the EVAP canister vent valve ON (Closed).
  3. Pressurize the EVAP system to the first specified value using the EVAP pressure/purge diagnostic station (monitor pressure using the gauge on the EVAP pressure/purge diagnostic station).
  4. Switch the rotary switch on the EVAP pressure/purge diagnostic station to HOLD and observe the EVAP pressure gauge.

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

15 in. H2O

10 in. H2O

Go to Step 3

System OK