engine light code help

[colleyvillesooner]

I have a 2004 Toyota Solara. Check engine light came on this weekend. Just had it checked at O'reilleys. Code is P0441: Evaporative Emissions System incorrect purge flow.

Any ideas WTF that means? Guy said could be the purge valve but wasn't sure.

[I Am Right]

Buy new car

[olevetonahill]

Yer gonna think Im nuts But check yer Fuel cap and make sure its on right
Thats not a Big deal either way

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0441

[StoopTroup]

Google the code. You'll see a bunch of different message board fixes for it. Some sound easy and others sound like you might need to replace a Charcoal canister which sounds expensive. Others say there might have been a forced recall on this through Toyota that made them fix this. In any case one of the things that caught my eye was that if you unhook the battery on your car, it will clear the fault. If it comes back on then I'd say you probably might have something to look into as the little bit I read on it kind of seemed to lead to your cars emmission system getting worse if you don't address it. How much worse? Maybe it's something you can live with until you decide to get rid of the car or maybe a bit of cleaning and lubing one of the valves they talk about or hooking up a hose on the canister is all that would take to fix it?

[StoopTroup]

Yer gonna think Im nuts But check yer Fuel cap and make sure its on right
Thats not a Big deal either way

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0441

I agree with this too and unhook your battery and clear the fault.

[StoopTroup]

Also roll down your windows when you are on the expressway and wave your arms out the window until you get pulled over. If the Cop is Asian ask him if he knows a good Toyota Mechanic. :D ;)

[colleyvillesooner]

Will double check the gas cap and un hook the battery. I just changed out the gas cap 6 months ago.

[Frozen Sooner]

Can I join the "check your gas cap, unhook the battery, and see if it comes on again" dogpile?

[Turd_Ferguson]

check your gas cap, unhook the battery, and see if it comes on again. YWIA.

[olevetonahill]

Will double check the gas cap and un hook the battery. I just changed out the gas cap 6 months ago.
Most of the time one from a Parts store will do ok , Ive had to buy em from the Dealer to get em to work right .

Seriously tho. Make sure its on tight. Id say 90% of the time when I had a car in my shop with that code The Cap was the Prob.

[Turd_Ferguson]

Id say 90% of the time when I had a car in my shop with that code The Cap was the Prob....and I bet you charged their *** for a valve job...:D

[olevetonahill]

...and I bet you charged their *** for a valve job...:D
Engine Over haul
Pay Tention

[olevetonahill]

Disconnecting the Battery wont fix anything. If its a Hard Code it will just reset as soon as you run the vehicle much
a Soft code will clear when ya have the prob fixed

To clear the codes with the battery . Disconnect the Negative cable for about 5 minuters then re attach

Thats Not really recommended anymore tho

Ya can take it to Orielly or Auto Zone and use their scanner to clear the codes easily

[Turd_Ferguson]

Get a piece of bail'n wire about 16" long. Touch one end to the -Neg side of the battery, then gently touch the other end of the wire to the +Pos side of the battery...Let this set for about 30 seconds, then remove. If that doesn't erase your memory...noth'n will.









I'm only kidding...please don't do this.

[8timechamps]

Drive it into a wall, then collect on insurance. Tell 'em the brakes wouldn't work (like the dude with the Prius).


Or check your gas cap, etc., etc., etc.

[Petro-Sooner]

I love the SO!

[Frozen Sooner]

I love the SO!

You should disconnect the battery from your laptop, wait a few minutes, turn it back on and see if you still love the SO.

[Turd_Ferguson]

You should disconnect the battery from your laptop, wait a few minutes, turn it back on and see if you still love the SO....or go into DOS and type "Format C:"(minus the quotation marks)...this will take care of everthang...

[8timechamps]

...or go into DOS and type "Format C:"(minus the quotation marks)...this will take care of everthang...

Or throw it against a wall, collect on the insurance...then say you were just sitting there, doing nothing wrong when it happened (like the guy that ran the cruise ship aground).


Or go into DOS and etc., etc., etc.

[StoopTroup]

Just disco the the battery.....if it doesn't work I know a guy near the Lake that does Engine Overhauls with the Battery connected.

Seriously though....if the gas cap deal and the reset doesn't work via the batt or scanner....you might have a hose that has weather cracked that goes to that system or like I was saying about a sticky valve or dirty sensor. There is lots of stuff you can check before going with an overhaul....lol

The thing is if your car is still running....you are probably OK for now anyway. These darn Toyota's are awesome IMO.

Find a mechanic you can trust down there too. I know it sucks paying someone to fix stuff that you might have been able to fix but sometimes if you take it there for cheap fixes....the advice you get later about stuff like this can pay off handsomely.

Let him change your oil and gt his hands on your dipstick every now and then.....NTTAWWT. :D ;)

[cleller]

I was thinking gas cap, too. Sometimes if the cap causes the engine light to come on, it will have to be reset, even after securing the cap. I'm sure you've done the same thing, but plugging it into google brings up this:
http://www.obd-codes.com/p0441

Sounds like the second common failure is a purge valve that will get stuck in the open position, and cause the issue. Couldn't identify one of those if I was staring at it.

Don't forget to check your henweigh.

[olevetonahill]

I was thinking gas cap, too. Sometimes if the cap causes the engine light to come on, it will have to be reset, even after securing the cap. I'm sure you've done the same thing, but plugging it into google brings up this:
http://www.obd-codes.com/p0441

Sounds like the second common failure is a purge valve that will get stuck in the open position, and cause the issue. Couldn't identify one of those if I was staring at it.

Don't forget to check your henweigh.

Heh
I think I gave that link in my 1st post here

Greg
Disconnecting the battery used to be an easy way to reset the Onboard computer

In the newer models not so much

[pphilfran]

I was thinking gas cap, too. Sometimes if the cap causes the engine light to come on, it will have to be reset, even after securing the cap. I'm sure you've done the same thing, but plugging it into google brings up this:
http://www.obd-codes.com/p0441

Sounds like the second common failure is a purge valve that will get stuck in the open position, and cause the issue. Couldn't identify one of those if I was staring at it.

Don't forget to check your henweigh.

If it is a loose gas cap the light will stop coming on after a specified number of restarts...though the error code will still be stored and can be retrieved at a later date...

[olevetonahill]

If it is a loose gas cap the light will stop coming on after a specified number of restarts...though the error code will still be stored and can be retrieved at a later date...
This^ Or even a Bad cap

[cleller]

Heh
I think I gave that link in my 1st post here



Right you are.

[Mississippi Sooner]

If all else fails, a good swift kick to the right quarter panel will usually fix the problem.

[colleyvillesooner]

so should i replace the gas cap (again) with a Toyota one this time, or just make sure the one i have is on good and tight and disconnect the battery and see if it comes back?

[Tulsa_Fireman]

Send a letter to Tebow in New York and see if he can put in for a repair miracle through his Jesus Hotline.

[pphilfran]

so should i replace the gas cap (again) with a Toyota one this time, or just make sure the one i have is on good and tight and disconnect the battery and see if it comes back?

Has it only happened once? Does the vehicle exhibit any driving problems? I wouldn't do chit if it is driving fine and would wait to see if the light goes out on it's own...

[olevetonahill]

so should i replace the gas cap (again) with a Toyota one this time, or just make sure the one i have is on good and tight and disconnect the battery and see if it comes back?

I wouldnt disconnect the battery, Make sure the Cap is on Correctly. go back to Orielly and ask em to let you use their scanner to clear the codes

They cant do it But YOU can

Then If the Light comes back on get a New Cap from the dealer

[StoopTroup]

God Forbid you unhook that Battery. Just pull out the Master Fuse. :D

[olevetonahill]

Oh and like Phil said, If its just an Intermittent Prob the Light should go off on its own

Really Ben this is Not a Big deal if ya fix it or not at this point .

[olevetonahill]

God Forbid you unhook that Battery.

Go ahead and Unhook the battery if ya want to.
The worst thats gonna happen if ya disconnect the wrong lead is maybe short something Out . Then also You have to reset everything you have programed.

[StoopTroup]

You will need to reset your channels on your radio

[StoopTroup]

You won't short out the car. That's what fuses are for.

[colleyvillesooner]

Has it only happened once? Does the vehicle exhibit any driving problems? I wouldn't do chit if it is driving fine and would wait to see if the light goes out on it's own...

Yes first time to see the engine light since the last time when i replaced the original gas cap and it went away, either in November or August of 2011.

[colleyvillesooner]

Oh and like Phil said, If its just an Intermittent Prob the Light should go off on its own

Really Ben this is Not a Big deal if ya fix it or not at this point .

Cool. i'll just make sure the gas cap is on tight and see what happens over the next week or two.

[colleyvillesooner]

I wouldnt disconnect the battery, Make sure the Cap is on Correctly. go back to Orielly and ask em to let you use their scanner to clear the codes

They cant do it But YOU can

Then If the Light comes back on get a New Cap from the dealer

For next time, how do you use the scanner to clear the code. is it jsut one of the options once you have it plugged in?

[olevetonahill]

You won't short out the car. That's what fuses are for.

Guessin you dont remember Bens expertise with electrical **** do ya :adoration:

[StoopTroup]

Matter of fact yu might even have O'Rielly's or a decent mechanic check to make sure your battery is OK. A bad Battery does weird stuff too.

Make sure your cigarette lighters in the car are installed in the female portion of the lighter assembly. Sometimes they get bitchy if you have your gps plugged in there.. :D ;)

[olevetonahill]

For next time, how do you use the scanner to clear the code. is it jsut one of the options once you have it plugged in?

Just scroll down to the message thats says " Clear Codes"
Its that simple

[olevetonahill]

Cool. i'll just make sure the gas cap is on tight and see what happens over the next week or two.

That be the easiest thing. Then if the light stays on and bugs ya just stop in and clear em

[StoopTroup]

I don't know **** about electricity other than rewiring Multi-million dollar flying ferrari's

[pphilfran]

Just scroll down to the message thats says " Clear Codes"
Its that simple

That is correct...

[olevetonahill]

I don't know **** about electricity other than rewiring Multi-million dollar flying ferrari's

WE aint Talikn YOU we talkin BEN
Pay Tention :unconscious:

[StoopTroup]

Chances are you will have to unhook the battery in your car (http://www.ehow.com/how_6197187_unhook-car-battery.html#) at some point during the vehicle's lifetime. The terminals may need to be cleaned or replaced, or the battery itself may need replacing. You may need to disconnect the battery in order to repair or replace an electrical component on your vehicle. Unhooking the battery the correct way will ensure that you cause no damage to your vehicle or yourself in the process.

Use a wrench to loosen the retaining bolt on the negative battery cable clamp. (You might need to hold the bolt head with one wrench while turning the nut with another.)

Pull the cable away from the battery. Do not twist the cable if it will not come loose easily, because twisting may damage the cable clamps. Use needle-nose pliers or a screwdriver to push the cable clamp apart and pull gently to remove.




Loosen the positive cable with a wrench and remove it, using the same method you used to remove the negative cable in Step 1. Anchor the positive cable away from the battery so that it does not inadvertently make contact with the battery's positive post on its own.

[pphilfran]

Chances are you will have to unhook the battery in your car (http://www.ehow.com/how_6197187_unhook-car-battery.html#) at some point during the vehicle's lifetime. The terminals may need to be cleaned or replaced, or the battery itself may need replacing. You may need to disconnect the battery in order to repair or replace an electrical component on your vehicle. Unhooking the battery the correct way will ensure that you cause no damage to your vehicle or yourself in the process.

Use a wrench to loosen the retaining bolt on the negative battery cable clamp. (You might need to hold the bolt head with one wrench while turning the nut with another.)

Pull the cable away from the battery. Do not twist the cable if it will not come loose easily, because twisting may damage the cable clamps. Use needle-nose pliers or a screwdriver to push the cable clamp apart and pull gently to remove.




Loosen the positive cable with a wrench and remove it, using the same method you used to remove the negative cable in Step 1. Anchor the positive cable away from the battery so that it does not inadvertently make contact with the battery's positive post on its own.






This isn't rocket science...

[StoopTroup]

First, remove all jewelry when working with tools, even something as simple as a box wrench. That's fairly obvious, eh?

Second, always remove the battery's ground clamp before loosening the positive. If you remove the negative clamp and inadvertently complete a circuit to ground, there will be no current flow because the ground clamp is already grounded. Subsequent shorting of the positive terminal to ground will then produce no current flow because the current has no return path to the negative post. And, of course, always reconnect the ground last.


Let me relate something that happened to a friend of mine, a dentist by trade who likes to work on his sports car occasionally. In preparation for some other work, he elected to remove the battery from the car, using a box wrench to loosen the battery clamps. The wrench made contact with his wedding ring (he's lefthanded), and the ring in turn made contact with the battery holddown. A massive short circuit welded his ring to the holddown and to the wrench, which in turn was welded to the positive terminal.

Car batteries store an enormous amount of energy, and they're optimized to deliver it in a very short period of time. A shorted car battery can easily deliver several hundred amps -- more than an arc-welding machine. Within a second, my friend's wedding ring was almost red-hot, and only a fast reaction with his other hand to break the connection by hitting the wrench prevented it from remaining connected long enough to melt. The ring had to be sawed off his finger at the emergency room, and it was more than a month before the burn specialist was sure he wouldn't lose the finger altogether.

[StoopTroup]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzG2tvp68mQ

[StoopTroup]

I've seen these old batteries get a bit funky and swell up a bit on a hot day. When they get like this they have a bit of very flammable gas around them. Twice I have sent one of our mechanics to the Hospital as they sparked the terminal on a wrench and the top of the battery blew off in their face.

So yeah....they aren't rocket science but neither is a burn unit and acid burns to your eyes. I suggest wearing some safety glasses when working on the battery too.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6CxVyCzntU

[StoopTroup]

Also Colley....

Have you messed with the aircleaner or hs someone messed with it like at the place you have your oil changed recently?

Just check to make sure they put it all back together OK if the gas cap didn't fix it. Sometimes the aircleaners don't go back together easily and these idiots knock some lines off the stuff around there or under them. You never know if it's just something like that either but if you aren't the only one under the hood of that Solara of yours and this just started....I'd supect they took something apart and didn't get it back together right if they checked your car for preventive maintenance items. Folks like Jiffy Lube are always doing this to folks. Some not intentionally.....it's because they like to try and sell extra services and during some full maintenance checks they might present you with a really dirty air cleaner for example as part of one of their free checks they offer when your Wife tries to do you that one favor where she has something planned for Saturday and wants to show you how she can handle the maintenance on your car so you don't have to change your own oil. I can't tell you how many cars we used to fix that someone thought they were doing their Husband, Wife or GF/BF a favor. Don't let people who aren't thorough under the hood of your car.

[StoopTroup]

Check this one out....lol


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuP8PoKf6G4

[StoopTroup]

This one covers Code PO446 which also has some stuff to do with PO441. In this one the immediate fix that always comes up is replacing the Canister which is expensive. If the easy fixes you do don't work this video kind of gives you some ways to go further into this if you are comfortable doing it. He shows you how to check the canister, the VSV with a jumper cable and a 9 volt battery, how to check vacuum lines etc....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUHo_nQgDxM&feature=autoplay&list=PLAFB31A 4498DB9352&lf=results_main&playnext=2

[colleyvillesooner]

all great info thanks.

the car did just have an oil change last week 9while i was in NYC), then the Mrs drove it to OKC and back for a wedding. i get in it ofr the first time on Monday and the engine light is on. :(

[StoopTroup]

I'd find out more about who and what happened when she took it in.

[colleyvillesooner]

I'd find out more about who and what happened when she took it in.

my mom had the car and took it to her normal place (A Goodyear service and tire place), the same place i used to take it when I lived out there and trust. Said they changed the oil, rotated tires and didn't mention anything else. Check Engine light was not on for her when she dropped it off for my wife to drive it to OKC.

[olevetonahill]

my mom had the car and took it to her normal place (A Goodyear service and tire place), the same place i used to take it when I lived out there and trust. Said they changed the oil, rotated tires and didn't mention anything else. Check Engine light was not on for her when she dropped it off for my wife to drive it to OKC.

They always check the Air filter, Possible they left something loose . Still betting on the fuel cap tho

[StoopTroup]

my mom had the car and took it to her normal place (A Goodyear service and tire place), the same place i used to take it when I lived out there and trust. Said they changed the oil, rotated tires and didn't mention anything else. Check Engine light was not on for her when she dropped it off for my wife to drive it to OKC.

I'd run it over there and tell them about it and they might know who worked on it and he might fix whatever it is. Sounds like you are onto something IMO

[colleyvillesooner]

I'd run it over there and tell them about it and they might know who worked on it and he might fix whatever it is. Sounds like you are onto something IMO

might try that this weekend. they close by the time i can get there after work.

[StoopTroup]

Good luck. Don't unhook the battery till you let them fix it.

[colleyvillesooner]

Success! Engine light went off today after adjusting gas cap a few days ago.

Was on this morning. Had my car washed at work and when I got in just now it was off. Maybe the water cleaned a sensor or cleaned all the leaves off under windshield wipers and such. Who knows.

[pphilfran]

Don't be too happy....it could come back on in a week...

[colleyvillesooner]

yeah, i know. just happy it went out. Inspection is due in May. maybe i should go early ;)

[olevetonahill]

Like Ive said Bro, dont sweat it, just make sure yer cap is on tight after ya fill up . You should be good

[pphilfran]

I am guessing it was the gas cap...then it takes a series of restarts before the light goes out...6/8/10/12....somewhere in that range...

[colleyvillesooner]

that's about how many it was. this is what happens when we let the wimmens drive.

<ducks>

[olevetonahill]

that's about how many it was. this is what happens when we let the wimmens drive.

<ducks>

You best duck
Yer still married

[Turd_Ferguson]

Whatever you do....DO NOT DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!!!!!

[8timechamps]

Enjoy this moment, but DO NOT DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!!!!