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For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2000 🢒 Sunfire 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 2.4L 🢒 Evaporative Emission Control System Diagnosis

Object Number: 409348 Size: LF
Engine Controls Components
EVAP and EGR Controls
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Diagnosis
    • EVAP canister purge valve operation is covered in this section and diagnosed in DTCs P0440, P0446, and P1441.
    • EVAP vent solenoid operation is covered in this section and diagnosed in DTCs P0440, P0442, and P0446.
    • Fuel tank pressure sensor operation is covered in this section and diagnosed in DTCs P0440, P0442, P0446, P0452, P0453, P1441 and Evaporative Emission System Check.
    • A open or shorted circuit in the EVAP canister purge valve and EVAP vent solenoid can also be diagnosed in Powertrain Control Module Outputs Diagnosis .

Visual Check of the EVAP Canister

If cracked or damaged, replace canister. Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Replacement .

Circuit Description

The evaporative emission system is checked by applying vacuum to the EVAP system and monitoring for a vacuum decay. The PCM monitors the vacuum level through the fuel tank vapor pressure sensor signal. At an appropriate time, the EVAP canister purge valve and the EVAP vent solenoid are turned ON, allowing the engine to draw a small vacuum on the entire evaporative emission system. After the desired vacuum level has been achieved, the EVAP canister purge valve is turned OFF, sealing the system. A leak is detected by monitoring for a decrease in vacuum level over a given time period, when all other variables remain constant. A leak, blockage or faulty component in the system will cause a DTC to be set.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

    • Poor electrical connection at PCM. Inspect harness electrical connectors for the following conditions:
       - Backed out terminals
       - Improper mating
       - Broken locks
       - Improperly formed
       - Damaged terminals
       - Poor terminal to wire connection
    • Damaged harness--Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the Fuel Tank Vacuum Pressure display on the scan tool while moving electrical connectors and wiring harnesses related to the sensor. A change in the display will indicate the location of the malfunction.
    • Incorrect purge or vacuum source line routing. Verify that the source vacuum and purge lines to the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve are not switched.

Evaporative Emission System Check

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2
  1. Turn ON the ignition switch leaving the engine OFF.
  2. Install a scan tool.

Are any DTCs set?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List/Type

Go to Step 3

3
  1. Command the EVAP canister purge valve ON and OFF with the scan tool.
  2. Command the vent solenoid ON and OFF with the scan tool.

Does the purge valve and the vent solenoid click when commanded ON and OFF?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Powertrain Control Module Outputs Diagnosis

4
  1. Turn OFF the ignition switch.
  2. Disconnect the vapor line from the fuel tank at the EVAP canister.
  3. Turn ON the ignition switch leaving the engine OFF.
  4. Check the Fuel Tank Pressure sensor value with the scan tool.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure at the specified value?

0 mmHg

(-2.4-2.4 mmHg)

(-1.28-1.28 in. H2O)

Go to Step 5

Go to DTC P0452 Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Circuit Low Voltage

or

Go to DTC P0453 Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Circuit High Voltage

5

Important:: Before continuing with diagnosis, zero the EVAP Pressure and Vacuum gauges on the J 41413 EVAP pressure/purge Diagnostic Station, refer to the tool operating instructions.

  1. Reconnect all the EVAP hardware that was previously disconnected.
  2. Command the EVAP vent solenoid ON (Closed) with the scan tool.
  3. Connect the J 41413 EVAP pressure/purge Diagnostic Station to the EVAP service port.

    4. Important: Do not exceed the pressure given in the first specified value.

  4. Pressurize the EVAP system to the first specified value using the J 41413 EVAP pressure/purge Diagnostic Station (monitor the pressure by using the gauge on the station).
  5. Observe the Fuel Tank Pressure value on the scan tool.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure at the second specified value?

5 in. H2O

(1.24 kPa)

12 mmHg

(7.2-16.8 mmHg)

(3.85-8.99 in. H2O)

Go to Step 6

Go to DTC P0452 Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Circuit Low Voltage

or

Go to DTC P0453 Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Circuit High Voltage

6

Observe the EVAP system Pressure on the J 41413 EVAP pressure/purge Diagnostic Station while commanding the vent solenoid OFF (Open) with the scan tool.

Does the EVAP system pressure decrease to the specified value within 5 seconds?

0 in. H2O

(0 kPa)

Go to Step 7

Go to DTC P0446 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Vent System Performance

7
  1. Disconnect the vapor line from the fuel tank at the EVAP canister.
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Use the scan tools EVAP SYSTEM SEAL function to seal the EVAP system.
  4. Connect the vapor line from the fuel tank to the EVAP canister.
  5. Raise the engine RPMs to the specified value.
  6. Monitor the Fuel Tank Pressure value on the scan tool for at least 5 seconds.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure decreasing?

1,500 RPM

Go to DTC P1441 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Flow During Non-Purge

Go to Step 8

8
  1. Command the EVAP vent solenoid ON (closed) and the EVAP canister purge valve ON (100%).
  2. Raise the engine RPMs to the specified value.
  3. Monitor the Fuel Tank Pressure on the scan tool for at least 5 seconds.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure decreasing?

1,500 RPM

System OK

Go to DTC P0440 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System