Emissions

Tiny
GARY PARLATO
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.3L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 13,000 MILES
Ken, I replaced the purge solenoid valve on my dodge caravan. I took off the front charcoal canister and checked to see if there where any loose pellets. Canister looks fine. I also blew air through the line that goes to the purge solenoid valve. Seems to be clear. I also blocked off one of the ends of the vacuum line and did a vacuum test to check if it had any leaks. It easily held fifteen pounds of vacuum for over fifteen minutes. So no leaks in the line. Two days later check light came on with the 0441 code. I looked up this code on the internet and it says that code could be just about anything even a bad ECM module. I do not like this vehicle. Now the check light after I reset the check light will more then likely not come on again for two weeks or so but it will come on again that I know. Any ideas you can give me will be appreciated. By the way my fan switch is still working on all speeds thanks to you showing me how to fix the wiring. Luckily I live in Florida and do not have to past a emissions control like many other states have. One other thing my scanners stores codes that I have had like 0455, 0442 and so on but never stores the 0441 code for some reason. Also, I have tried other code scanners when the check light is on with a 0441 code and they also never read there is a problem with the check light. The only thing that ever shows the 0441 code is when I turn my ignition on there times within five seconds and the code shows on my trip meter and the light is on. I really get some weird problems. My scanner when I run a I/M readiness test shows X's by Evap, EGR catalytic converter, o2s, and Hrt. Do I need to run the vehicle through a drive cycle to see if these go away?I really do not know. There are no codes found or stored now and the check light is off. I used this scanner (Image added) to run the tests which seems to work very good.
Friday, May 19th, 2017 AT 2:39 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,408 POSTS
Hello Gary, I will try and help you out here. Your fault is for a purge valve fault. Have you checked all your fuses to verify they are okay? Have you inspected the vacuum source from the purge valve to the intake for any signs of damage?

How is the gas cap? If t he seal is damaged replace it. If it is okay see if a smog station can do a pressure test on the fuel cap for you?

If all okay then you would need someone to smoke the evap line from the purge solenoid the gas tank. The vent hose would need to be pinched off for this test.

Let us know what you find to try to direct you in the right direction.
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Friday, May 19th, 2017 AT 10:37 PM
Tiny
GARY PARLATO
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Okay, I will check the vacuum source for the solenoid valve at the intake. Haven't check this in a while. Fuses are okay. Does the solenoid switch have power to it when you turn the key on or no power to it? I do no know when the switch is suppose to have power to it. Will check to see if I have voltage at the solenoid. Does the vacuum line with the green cap go to the purge solenoid valve to the top connector on the solenoid or the bottom connector, I forgot? I have three gas caps, one brand new and I always put dialectical grease on the o ring and the filler neck after I clean the filler neck. I have my own smoke detector that I built but have not did a smoke test in a long time. Will do a smoke test again to make sure I don't have a leak. Replaced about two months ago all the vacuum lines going to the solenoid including the short pieces. Also, have extra relays to. I guess I should start from the very beginning by starting with the smoke test. Please answer this question do I need to run a drive cycle on the car or wait until I have rechecked everything? When you say pinch off the vent line do you mean the line going to the vent valve underneath the van? It may take a week or so before I get back with you. Have major sewer problems with tree roots that have cracked my sewer lines and I have to fix it all my self because estimates I got were a unbelievable high. Nice talking to you so have to go dig my yard up. With your help by the time I am done with the emissions I will know a lot. I am doing all this so I can help my friends. Some of them have been driving two years with check lights on. Thanks again.
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Saturday, May 20th, 2017 AT 7:47 AM
Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,408 POSTS
The purge valve will alaways have battery voltage The pcm pulses the ground when it is purging. The green cap is the service port to smoke the evap system.

You can also check the purge valve for a leak when the vehicle is running and purge valve comes on. When it is purging disconnect evap hose from the purge. You should feel a vacuum when disconnected. If you do it is purging.

While the hose is still disconnected, unplug the electrical connector to the purge valve. Check for vacuum at the solenoid There should be no vacuum at all. If there is replace the purge valve.

As for smoking and pinching off the vent hose yes the hose at the vent valve. Let smoke come out first just to verify there is no blockage and once it smokes pinch it off and check for any leaks.

If there is no check engine at this time then yes do a drive cycle to see if the evap monitor sets to complete without setting a code before you go through all that trouble.

Good luck and let us know what happens.
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Sunday, May 21st, 2017 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
GARY PARLATO
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I will do what you suggest and thank you.
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Monday, May 22nd, 2017 AT 3:21 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,840 POSTS
Please let us know what happens.

JIS001 is one of our best!

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, May 24th, 2017 AT 5:50 PM

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