My check engine light turned on with P0441 (Evaporative Emission Control System, Incorrect Purge Flow) I read that it can be the gas cap and I did get some gas today, but I'm pretty sure that I tightened the gas cap correctly. Any idea on what else might cause this problem? Other than replacing the canister? Also, there is a light I have never seen before flicker when I make sharp accelerated turns. It looks like a car that's swerving, sorry if this isn't a detailed description of that light, but that's what it looks like to me. Can someone please advise me on what that light is for? And if I should still drive my car with these lights. I tightened the gas cap more and reset the light to see if it returns.

The car is a 98 GS400 with 180,000 miles.

Thanks for any help!

 

well the light issue is easy, that's your VSC (Vehicle Skid Control) kicking in because you're spinning the tires in your turns. It's probably saving you from wrapping around a tree at that moment. When it feels one wheel slipping it will decrease power to that wheel hopefully saving you from fishtailing.

If you turn off the VSC, take the same turn, BUT SLOWER and you'll feel the difference in the car. The button to turn is off is on the center console (by the gear shift) should be the farthest one away from you. The button closest to you is the Power/Snow button. Play around with them

Maybe bad gas?

 

The code can be any of these issues:

Vacuum hose cracked, holed, blocked damaged or disconnected
Open or short in vapor pressure sensor circuit
Vapor pressure sensor
Open or short in VSV circuit for EVAP
VSV for EVAP
Open or short in VSV circuit for vapor pressure sensor
VSV for vapor pressure sensor
Charcoal canister cracked, holed or damaged
Fuel tank over fill check valve cracked or damaged
ECM

 

Thanks for the info. guys! I'll see if I can take a look at any of the above mentioned issues once it gets warmer out here..I'm not made to work in 30 deg. weather ...I have been using the middle grade of gas lately since gas prices are climbing, but the cars computer should retard the timing if necessary to keep it from "pinging" so I have been using that for about 2-3 weeks with not much noticeable difference to driveability.

 

Change the gas cap gasket. With 180k, i think it's about time (probably not sealing properly). It's also cheap.

 

if i keep driving with the p0441 code will it have any negative effects on my car in the long run? (1998 gs400)

p.s. had to bump this 1 dont want to start a new thread

 

I have the same code and had the light on for about 4 months. I changed the gas cap and still had the light.
Then 4 days ago I found a loose vacuum hose and it definitely was my problem and the check engine light is gone.

 

Yea, usually it's a defective or disconnected line either from the engine or on top of the differential which is where the canister is located.