GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2006 🢒 GTO 🢒 DTC 🢒 DTC P0442

System Description

The evaporative emission (EVAP) small leak test applies vacuum to the EVAP system and monitors vacuum decay. The control module monitors the fuel tank pressure sensor signal to determine the vacuum decay rate. At an appropriate time, the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve and the EVAP vent valve are turned ON. This allows the engine to draw vacuum on the EVAP system. After the desired vacuum level has been achieved, the EVAP purge valve is turned OFF, sealing the system. A leak is detected by monitoring for a decrease in vacuum level during a given time period. If the system detects a leak larger than a calibrated amount, DTC P0442 will set.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P0442 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Small Leak Detected

Conditions for Running the DTC
    • DTCs P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0120, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0222, P0223, P0443, P0446, P0449, P0452, P0453, P0455, P0461, P0462, P0463, P0496, P0608, P2101, P2119, P2120, P2122, P2123, P2125, P2127, P2128, P2135, P2138 are not set.
    • The start up intake air temperature (IAT) is between 4-30°C (39-86°F).
    • The start up engine coolant temperature (ECT) is less than 30°C (86°F).
    • The start up IAT and ECT are within 8°C (15°F).
    • The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 74 kPa.
    • The fuel level is between 15-85 percent.
    • DTC P0442 runs once per cold start.

Conditions for Setting the DTC
    • The control module detects a pressure change that is greater than a calibrated amount.
    • A minimum of 3 tests must be completed for the diagnostic to report a fail. Each of the 3 tests must begin with a cold start where all of the Conditions for Running the DTC have been met. Each test can take up to 17 minutes to complete.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) when the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The control module stores this information in the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
    • The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids
    • To help locate intermittent leaks, use the J 41413-200 evaporative emissions system tester (EEST) to introduce smoke into the EVAP system. Move all EVAP components while observing smoke with the J 41413-SPT High Intensity White Light.
    • A condition may exist where a leak in the EVAP system only exists under a vacuum condition. By using the scan tool PURGE/SEAL function to create a vacuum, seal the system, and observe the fuel tank pressure (FTP) parameter for vacuum decay, this type of leak may be detected.
    • To improve the visibility of the smoke exiting the EVAP system, observe the suspected leak area from different angles with the J 41413-SPT .
    • For intermittent conditions, refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections .

Test Description

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

  1. Introducing smoke in 15 second intervals may allow smaller leak areas to be more noticeable. When the system is less pressurized, the smoke will sometimes escape in a more condensed manner.

  2. This step verifies that repairs are complete and that no other condition is present.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Evaporative Emissions Hose Routing Diagram

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

Inspect the Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System for the following conditions:

    • Loose, missing, or damaged service port dust cap and/or schrader valve
    • Loose, incorrect, missing, or damaged fuel fill cap
    • A damaged EVAP canister purge solenoid valve
    • Disconnected, improperly routed, kinked, or damaged EVAP pipes and hose
    • A damaged EVAP canister vent solenoid valve or EVAP canister

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Connect the J 41413-200 Evaporative Emissions System Tester (EEST) power supply clips to a known good 12-volt source.
  3. Install the J 41415-40 Fuel Tank Cap Adapter or the GE-41415-50 Interrupted Thread Fuel Tank Cap Adapter to the fuel fill pipe.
  4. Connect the J 41413-200 Nitrogen/Smoke Supply Hose to the J 41415-40 or the GE-41415-50 .
  5. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  6. Command the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve closed with a scan tool.
  7. Turn the nitrogen/smoke valve on the J 41413-200 control panel to SMOKE.
  8. Use the remote switch to introduce smoke into the EVAP system.
  9. Use the J 41413-VLV EVAP Service Port Vent Fitting to open the EVAP service port.
  10. Remove the J 41413-VLV once smoke is observed.
  11. Continue to introduce smoke into the EVAP system for an additional 60 seconds.
  12. Inspect the entire EVAP system for exiting smoke with the J 41413-SPT High Intensity White Light.
  13. Continue to introduce smoke at 15 second intervals until the leak source has been located.

Did you locate and repair a leak source?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4
  1. Disconnect the J 41415-40 or the GE-41415-50 from the fuel fill pipe.
  2. Install the fuel fill cap to the fuel fill pipe.
  3. Connect the J 41413-200 to the EVAP service port.
  4. Use the remote switch to introduce smoke into the EVAP system.
  5. Inspect the entire EVAP system for exiting smoke with the J 41413-SPT .
  6. Continue to introduce smoke at 15-second intervals until the leak source has been located.

Did you locate and repair a leak source?

Go to Step 5

Go to Diagnostic Aids

5

Important: Larger volume fuel tanks and/or those with lower fuel levels may require several minutes for the floating indicator to stabilize.

  1. Turn the nitrogen/smoke valve to nitrogen.
  2. Connect the nitrogen/smoke hose to the 0.5 mm (0.020 in) test orifice on the bottom-front of the J 41413-200 .
  3. Use the remote switch to activate the J 41413-200 .
  4. Align the red flag on the flow meter with the floating indicator. Use the remote switch to de-activate the J 41413-200 .
  5. Install the J 41415-40 or the GE-41415-50 to the fuel fill pipe.
  6. Remove the nitrogen/smoke hose from the test orifice and install the hose onto the J 41415-40 or the GE-41415-50 .
  7. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  8. Command the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve closed with a scan tool.
  9. Use the remote switch to introduce nitrogen and fill the EVAP system until the floating stabilizes.
  10. Compare the flow meter's stable floating indicator position to the red flag.

Is the floating indicator below the red flag?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 2

6

Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Have any DTCs not been diagnosed?

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle

Go to Step 7

7

Important: The malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) may remain ON after the repair unless the DTCs are cleared.

Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.

Did you complete the action?

System OK

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