GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

System Description

The Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System is used to store fuel vapors to reduce the amount of unburned fuel from escaping into the atmosphere. The EVAP canister purge solenoid valve is pulse width modulated (PWM) and is used to control the flow of fuel vapors from the EVAP canister to the intake manifold. The EVAP canister purge solenoid valve is commanded ON, PWM, whenever the EVAP system is in purge mode. Fuel vapors can be purged at anytime the engine control module (ECM) is in Closed Loop and the vehicle is not in a decel. The ECM controls the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve by controlling an internal driver that pulls the solenoid valve circuit to ground. During one part of the EVAP diagnostic system test, the ECM will close the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve and the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve. DTC P0496 sets when the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor indicates that the pressure is lower than atmospheric, vacuum, indicating the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve is stuck open.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P0496 Evaporative Emissions (EVAP) System Flow During Non-Purge

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • DTCs P0068, P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0128, P0130, P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0135, P0220, P0452, P0453, P0502, P0601, P0602, P0604, P0606, P060D, P060E, P062F, P0641, P1133, P1516, 2101, P2120, P2125, P2135, P2138, P2176 are not set.
    • The engine is running.
    • The EVAP canister vent solenoid valve is commanded ON, closed.
    • The EVAP canister purge solenoid valve is commanded OFF, closed.
    • The fuel level is between 15-8 percent.
    • The barometric pressure (BARO) is greater than 75 kPa.
    • The engine coolant temperature (ECT) and intake air temperature (IAT) are between 4-30°C (39-86°F) at engine startup.
    • The ECT and the IAT are within 8°C (15°F) of each other at engine start-up.
    • The vehicle speed is less than 137 km/h (85 mph).
    • The throttle position (TP) is between 7-35 percent.
    • DTC P0496 diagnostic runs once per ignition cycle.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • If the FTP sensor voltage is indicating more than 2.30 volts, continuous purge flow, during the EVAP diagnostic system test, DTC P0496 will set.
    • The above condition exists for up to 2 minutes.

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

    • A diagnosed EVAP canister purge solenoid valve or EVAP canister vent solenoid valve circuit fault may have caused this DTC to set.
    • The ECM uses the FTP sensor to detect the amount of vacuum pulled on the EVAP system during the leak diagnostic tests. Ensure that the fuel pressure sensor is not skewed by verifying the FTP sensor on the scan tool is between 1.30-1.70 volts with the ignition ON and the fuel cap removed.
    • The most likely cause of DTC P0496 is a stuck open EVAP canister purge solenoid valve. Command the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve ON, PWM, with the scan tool. The valve should click at an even rate. Replace the solenoid if the solenoid intermittently sticks.
    • 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 FTP parameter for vacuum decay, this type of leak may be detected.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Evaporative Emissions Hose Routing Diagram and Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Engine Controls Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

  1. Disconnect the evaporative emission (EVAP) canister side of the purge pipe from the EVAP purge solenoid.
  2. Install a hand held vacuum gage to the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve purge port.
  3. Disconnect the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve harness connector.
  4. Monitor vacuum on the vacuum gage.
  5. Start the engine and allow the engine to idle.
  6. Increase the idle to 1,200-1,500 RPM.

Does the vacuum gage indicate an increase in vacuum?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Connect the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve harness connector.
  2. Monitor vacuum on the vacuum gage.
  3. Increase the idle to 1,200-1,500 RPM.

Does the vacuum gage indicate an increase in vacuum?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove and then install the fuel fill cap.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Observe the Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor parameter with a scan tool.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor parameter within the specified value?

1.30-1.70 V

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 7

5

Test the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve control circuit for a short to ground. Refer to Testing for Short to Ground and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the conditions?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 6

6

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 8

7

Replace the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor. Refer to Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 9

--

8

Replace the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve. Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Purge Solenoid Valve Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 9

--

9

  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition for 30 seconds.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records.

Did the DTC fail this ignition?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 10

10

Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle

System OK