The purpose of the evaporative emission (EVAP) control system is to prevent the fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere. The EVAP transfers the fuel vapor from the sealed fuel tank to an activated carbon, or charcoal, storage device, or EVAP canister. The EVAP canister stores the vapors until the engine is able to use the extra fuel vapor.
When the engine is able to use the extra fuel vapor, the intake air flow purges the fuel vapor from the carbon element, and then the normal combustion process consumes the fuel vapor.
The system is designed to detect the evaporative fuel system leaks as small as 0.040 of an inch between the fuel filler cap and the purge solenoid. The system can test the evaporative system integrity by applying a vacuum to the fuel tank in order to create a small vacuum. The powertrain control module (PCM) then used the fuel tank pressure sensor to determine system integrity.
The control module monitors the ability of the system to maintain the vacuum. If the vacuum remains for a specified period of time, then there are no evaporative leaks, and a PASS report is made by the control module. If there is a leak, the system either will not achieve a vacuum, or a vacuum cannot be maintained. Usually a fault can only be detected after a cold start with a trip of sufficient length and driving conditions to run the needed tests. The enhanced evaporative system diagnostic conducts up to 8 specific sub-tests in order to detect the fault conditions. If the diagnostic fails a sub-test, the control module stores a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) in order to indicate the type of fault detected.
The control module performs diagnostic tests in order to monitor the performance of the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system. These test are as follows:
The control module monitors the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor signal during the normal purging of the EVAP canister under various driving conditions in order to detect a malfunction in the fuel tank vent control components. If the Excess Vacuum tests run and pass, the Purge Valve Leak Test will run. If the Excess Vacuum tests run and fail, a DTC P0446 is set.
The control module monitors the oxygen sensors during normal EVAP purging in order to determine if the EVAP canister is storing a sufficient amount of fuel vapors. If the test indicates that the EVAP canister is storing a sufficient amount of fuel vapors, the remaining diagnostic tests for the EVAP system will store a pass. If the Loaded Canister Test indicates to the control module that an insufficient amount of fuel vapors are being stored by the EVAP canister, the Weak Vacuum Tests will run.
The Weak Vacuum Test is performed by the control module in order to determine if the EVAP control system is capable of achieving a sufficient vacuum in the system. During the normal purging of the EVAP control system, the control module will perform the following:
If the control module determines that sufficient vacuum is not achieved, the control module will perform the following steps:
If the control module determines that sufficient vacuum is achieved, the control module will perform the following steps:
The Weak Vacuum Tests will not run unless the Loaded Canister Test has run and failed.
The control module performs the Small EVAP Leak Test in order to detect a small leak in the following components of the EVAP system:
The Small EVAP Leak Test does not test the EVAP purge solenoid for leaks.
In order to run the Small EVAP Leak Test the control module performs the following steps:
The control module monitors the vacuum trapped in the system. If the control module detects an excessive decrease in the vacuum that is trapped in the system, a DTC P0442 is set.
The control module monitors the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor signal during a cold start in order to test the EVAP purge valve. With the purge valve OFF or closed, the PCM expects to detect no vacuum in the system. If the control module detects a vacuum while the Purge Valve Leak Test is being performed, a DTC P1441 is set.
The evaporative system canister, filled with activated carbon pellets, stores the fuel vapors from the fuel tank. The engine vacuum purges the vapor canister during normal driving.
The fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor is a 3 wire strain gauge sensor much like that of the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, however this sensor has a very different electrical characteristic due to its pressure differential design. The sensor measures the difference between the air pressure, or vacuum in the fuel tank and the outside air pressure.
The sensor mounts at the top of the fuel tank sending unit. A three wire electrical harness connects the sensor to the control module. The control module supplies a 5-volt reference voltage and ground to the sensor. The sensor varies a voltage between 0.1-4.9 volts. When the air pressure in the fuel tank is equal to the outside air pressure, such as when the fuel fill cap is removed, the output voltage of the sensor will measure 1.3-1.7 volts.
When the air pressure in the tank is 4.5 inches Hg (1.25 kPa), the sensor output voltage should measure 0.3-0.7 volts.
The sensor voltage will be approximately 1.5 volts when the fuel tank pressure is equalized with ambient pressure. The sensor voltage increases to approximately 4.5 volts when a vacuum of 14 inches Hg (-3.75 kPa) is detected.
When energized, the evaporative canister purge solenoid allows the fuel vapor to flow from the EVAP canister to the engine. The normally closed valve is pulse width modulated by the control module in order to precisely control the vapor flow. The valve opens during the Enhanced Evaporative Diagnostic Test in order to create a vacuum in the fuel tank and then closes in order to seal the system.
The evaporative system service port is located in the evaporative hose located between the purge solenoid and the canister. The service port is identified by a green colored cap.
