Greetings all:

I've been lurking here since I bought my 1998 Bonneville SE from my Father in Law about a month ago. (107,000 mi) I have searched and found helpful information, thanks.

My question today has to do with the code referenced. I've been going through component testing and evaluation to try to resolve the check engine light. According to my FiL it'* been on for about 50k miles. I had it read and found out what it meant, so I'm not terribly concerned about it, but with it lit I can't tell when something more important comes up.

I replaced the gas cap because it was easy and cheap and started through the vacuum hosing and components in the engine compartment. I got to the evap canister solenoid and haven't been able to satisfy myself that it is working. It shows between 25-45 ohms resistance across the pins of the solenoid and the connector from the wiring harness shows ~11.5 VDC with the ignition switch in "Run" position. However, there appears to be no activation of the solenoid.

If I understand my Haynes schematics correctly, 12 VDC is available in Run, Bulb Test, or Start conditions (AKA "ALL THE TIME") with ground (I assume) coming from the PCM. Shouldn't this solenoid energize (click) when the key is turned to run?

If the solenoid is actually energized all the time, what in the heck is it for except to get you to make pointless trips to a mechanic for a system fault that doesn't make any difference to the performance of the car, the atmosphere, or the United Federation of Planets? Can I bypass it and lie to the PCM somehow?

So how can I tell if I need to flush $16.95 down the toilet to replace this part?

:?

It sounds like you're describing the EVAP canister vent valve solenoid. DTC P1441 is set when the PCM detects vacum during a non purge condition. This condition would indicate that the EVAP canister vent valve is not opening when it should be open. Or the EVAP purge valve is open when it should be closed.

Are there two different valves involved in this function? One on the canister and the othe mounted near the intake manifold? Is there a way to determine which is failing, or do you just replace each in turn until the light goes out?

Thanks for the reply.

I replaced both solenoids and I still get the error.

The canister doesn't appear to have a hole in it. It that all there is to the canister?

I'm stumped.

Shouldn't you be flying a Spitfire instead of driving a Bonneville?

Why yes, of course, how silly of me.

Did you take cannister out and check bottom, it gets pretty corrosive down there.

According to the FSM, DTC 1441 is set by one of three conditions:

1. EVAP purge valve is leaking
2. EVAP purge and vacuum lines are switched.
3. EVAP purge valve control curcuit grounded.

Things to check:

1. Terminals and wiring at the PCM.
2. Damaged wiring harness.
3. Incorrect vacuum line routing.
4. Malfunctioning or damaged canister.

I'll add some specific testing info as soon as I do soem more reading.

I had it completely out and looked it over pretty good. This is a Southern car driven and garaged by my Mother-In-Law so it'* had pretty light service. It'* in a protective well under the PCM so it hasn't been exposed to much other than typical engine compartment grime.

I have replaced the EVAP purge valve and tested it with my hillbilly vacuum gage.

I have had the vacuum lines in both conditions. On one side of the valve you can actually pull air through it when it is closed, the othe side you cannot. That is the side running to the manifold, the other goes to one side of the canister.

I'm not sure how to check item for a grounded control curcuit, just take an ohmmeter from the pins on the connector to the EVAP solenoid and see if they have a path to ground? I kinda expected at least one of them to show some ground to function the switch.

Thanks for the replys, I appreciate your consideration.