hey i just got my car a couple days ago (98 gs400) and my CEL came on i scanned it and it gave my p0441 i cleared it, 50 miles later it came on again. i made sure my gas lid was tight and cleared it then it came back again. i want to resolve this problem with out having to waste a lot of money. any suggestions

 

This indicates that a part of the EVAP control system is no longer fuctioning correctly. The EVAP system consists of many parts, including (but not limited to) the gas cap, fuel lines, carbon canister, purge valve, and other hoses. The (EVAP) emission control system prevents the escape of fuel vapors from a vehicle's fuel system. Fuel vapors are routed by hoses to a charcoal canister for storage. Later, when the engine is running a purge control valve opens allowing intake vacuum to siphon the fuel vapors into the engine.

EVAP emission canister purge is contolled by a valve which allows engine vacuum to pull stored fuel vapors from fuel tank into the engine to be burned, rather than be vented to atmosphere. A vacuum switch is used to detect when flow exists. If the PCM commands purge and sees that the switch is closed (indicating no detected purge flow) P0441 is set.



Symptoms

Likely, no symptoms will be discernible to the driver, other than the illuminated Check Engine Light.

Causes

A code P0441 could mean one or more of the following has happened:

Bad vacuum switch
Broken or damaged EVAP line or canister
Open in PCM purge command circuit
Open or short in Voltage feed circuit to Purge Solenoid
Faulty purge solenoid
Restriction in EVAP solenoid, line or canister
Corrosion or resistance in purge connector
Bad PCM
Possible Solutions

With a P0441 OBD-II trouble code, diagnosis can be tricky at times. Here are some things to try:

Common Chrysler fix - Replace Leak Detection Pump / LDP
Repair damaged EVAP lines or canister
Repair open or short in voltage feed circuit to Purge Solenoid
Repair open in PCM purge command circuit
Replace purge Solenoid
Replace vacuum switch
Repair restriction in Evap line or canister or soleniod
Repair resistance in purge connector
Replace PCM

 

On these cars it's commonly - defective or tampered purge lineS (the one near the driver's side valve cover with the green cap), inspect the charcoal canister - make sure everything is properly connected (canister is on top of the differential.), make sure the vent hose is not plugged, last is the gas cap.