The Evaporative Emission (EVAP) control system stores vapor generated by the vehicle and regulates its consumption during normal driving operation. The main purpose of the EVAP system is to prevent fuel vapor from dispersing into the atmosphere.
The Evaporative Emission Control (EVAP) System helps to reduce evaporated hydrocarbons (fuel) that enter the atmosphere. The most important component of this system is the EVAP charcoal canister. The EVAP canister draws the evaporated fuel from the fuel tank and stores it. When several conditions are met, the PCM commands the EVAP solenoid to open and allow engine vacuum to draw stored fuel from the EVAP canister into the throttle body. This is called purging the canister. Once the evaporated fuel enters the throttle body, it is burned in the combustion process.
Should the EVAP solenoid fail closed, electrically or mechanically, the canister charcoal bed could become saturated allowing vapors to escape to the atmosphere. The vapors should not enter the passenger compartment because of the rear mounted canister.
The PCM controls the EVAP solenoid using a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal. By using this type of control, the PCM can vary the rate (duty cycle) at which it opens or closes the solenoid. As mentioned, a strict set of conditions must be met before the PCM will enable canister purge. This optimizes driveability and evaporative emission reduction.
Once the PCM decides to enable the EVAP solenoid, it monitors rear oxygen sensor data to determine if the air/fuel mixture is correct. If the PCM determines the air/fuel mixture is incorrect, it will adjust the EVAP solenoid duty cycle to provide the correct amount of fuel vapor from the EVAP canister. This process is called duty cycle learning.
All of the following conditions must be met before the PCM will enable the EVAP solenoid. Once enabled, failure to meet any of these conditions will cause the PCM to disable the EVAP solenoid.
When all of the conditions to enable the EVAP solenoid have been met, the PCM will adjust the duty cycle if closed loop fuel control is operating free of limitations (short and long term fuel trim not at maximum or minimum limits).