GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

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 vapor lines
    • The fuel cap
    • The evaporative emission canister
    • The purge lines
    • The EVAP purge solenoid

The EVAP purge solenoid valve allows the manifold vacuum to purge the canister. The Vehicle Control Module (VCM) supplies a ground in order to energize the solenoid valve (purge ON). The EVAP purge solenoid control by the VCM is Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) or turned ON and OFF several times a second. The duty cycle (pulse width) is determined by the engine operating conditions including the load, the throttle position, the coolant temperature, and the ambient temperature. The duty cycle is calculated by the VCM, and the purge solenoid is commanded ON when certain conditions have been met.

The system checks for conditions that cause the EVAP system to purge continuously by commanding the EVAP vent solenoid ON and the EVAP purge solenoid OFF (EVAP vent solenoid CLOSED, EVAP purge PWM 0%). If the fuel tank pressure level increases during the test, a continuous purge flow condition is indicated. The following items can cause this condition:

    • A leaking EVAP purge solenoid
    • A grounded EVAP purge solenoid driver circuit

If any of these conditions are present, a DTC P1441 sets. This DTC is a type B DTC.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The following conditions will set the DTC:

    • No EVAP purge solenoid circuit DTCs are set
    • No MAP sensor DTCs
    • No IAC DTCs are set.
    • No TP sensor DTCs
    • No VSS DTCs
    • No EGR DTCs are set.
    • No HO2S DTCs
    • No ECT DTCs
    • The DTC P0125 not active
    • No IAT sensor DTCs
    • No Fuel Level DTCs
    • The ECT is greater than -110°C.
    • The IAT is greater than -90°C.
    • Start up IAT is not more than -18°C greater than the start up ECT.
    • The Fuel Level is between 10-85%.
    • The Baro is greater than 75 kPa.
    • The System Voltage is greater than 10 volts but less than 17 volts.
    • During the diagnostic test, the VCM detects a continuous open purge flow condition.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The VCM turns the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) ON 2 consecutive failures.
    • The VCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The Freeze Frame and Failure Records store this information.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

The following conditions will clear the DTC:

    • The VCM turns the MIL OFF on the third consecutive trip cycle during which the diagnostic has been run and the fault condition is no longer present
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a fault
    • The scan tool Clear Info function or disconnecting the VCM battery feed can clear the DTC

Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

    • Inspect the EVAP lines for charcoal contamination if the EVAP Purge Solenoid was replaced. If charcoal contamination is present, replace the EVAP canister. Clean the EVAP purge line in order to remove any additional charcoal.
    • Inspect the VCM for a poor connection. Inspect the harness connectors for the following items:
       - Backed out terminals
       - Improper mating
       - Broken locks
       - Improperly formed or damaged terminals
       - Poor terminal to wiring connections
    • Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness looks OK, connect the Enhanced EVAP Pressure Purge Diagnostic Cart to the EVAP service port. Pressurize the EVAP system to 10 inch H2O. Observe the Fuel Tank Pressure display on the scan tool while moving the connectors and wiring harnesses related to the EVAP purge solenoid. A sudden change in the display indicates the location of the fault.

Refer to Carbon Particle Removal from EVAP System before starting repairs.

Reviewing the Fail Records vehicle mileage since the Diagnostic Test Last Failed may help to determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step checks the fuel tank pressure sensor at ambient pressure. The fuel tank pressure sensor is zeroed at every key on to compensate for changes in atmospheric pressure.

  2. This step checks for a stuck open EVAP purge solenoid.

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

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Important: Before clearing the DTCs, use the scan tool to record the Freeze Frame and the Failure Records for reference. This data will be lost when the Clear Info function is used.

Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

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

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure at the specified value?

0 in H2O ±1 in H2O

Go to Step 3

Go to Evaporative Emission Control System Diagnosis

3

Important: Before continuing with the diagnosis, zero the EVAP Pressure and Vacuum gauges on the Enhanced EVAP Pressure Purge Diagnostic Cart J 41413. Refer to tool operating instructions.

  1. Replace the fuel cap.
  2. Connect the Enhanced EVAP Pressure Purge Diagnostic Cart J 41413 to the EVAP service port.
  3. Using the scan tool, command the EVAP vent valve ON (Closed).
  4. Pressurize the EVAP system to the specified value using the Enhanced EVAP Pressure Purge Diagnostic Cart J 41413 (monitor the pressure by using the gauge on the cart).
  5. Observe the Fuel Tank Pressure on the scan tool.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure at the specified value?

5 in H2O

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4

  1. Maintain the fuel tank pressure at the specified value.
  2. Observe the Fuel Tank Pressure parameter on the scan tool.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure at the specified value?

5 in H2O

5 in H2O

(±1 in H2O)

Go to Step 5

Go to Evaporative Emission Control System Diagnosis

5

  1. Remove the EVAP purge solenoid from the intake manifold.
  2. Connect a vacuum hand pump to the EVAP purge solenoid.
  3. Apply the specified vacuum to the EVAP purge solenoid.

Does the EVAP purge solenoid maintain the vacuum?

15 in. Hg

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 7

6

  1. Check the EVAP purge line for proper routing.
  2. Check for adequate source vacuum to the EVAP purge solenoid.

Was a problem found?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Diagnostic Aids

7

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

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Diagnostic Aids

--

8

Repair as necessary. Refer to Diagnostic Aids.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 9

--

9

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Remove the fuel cap.
  3. Using the scan tool, command the EVAP vent valve ON (closed) and the EVAP purge solenoid OFF (0%) (seal system).
  4. Replace the fuel cap.
  5. Run the engine at the specified value while monitoring the Fuel Tank Pressure parameter on the scan tool.

Does the Fuel Tank Pressure remain at the specified value while the seal system function is being used?

2500 RPM

0 in H2O

System OK

Go to Step 2