Whats code p1441 - 1999 Buick Century

Hi there:DTC P1441 - EVAP System Flow During Non-Purge




CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
The evaporative system includes the following components:


The fuel tank.
The EVAP canister vent valve.
The fuel tank pressure sensor.
The fuel pipes and hoses.
The fuel cap.
The EVAP vapor lines.
The EVAP purge lines.
The evaporative emission canister.
The EVAP purge valve.


The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) supplies a ground to energize the valve (purge ON). The EVAP purge valve control is Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) or turned ON and OFF several times a second. The duty cycle (pulse width) is determined by engine operating conditions including load, throttle position, coolant temperature and ambient temperature. The duty cycle is calculated by the PCM and the output is commanded when the appropriate conditions have been met. The system checks for conditions that cause the EVAP system to purge continuously by commanding the EVAP canister vent valve ON and the EVAP purge valve OFF (EVAP canister vent valve CLOSED, EVAP purge PWM 0%). If vacuum level in the fuel tank increases during the test, a continuous purge flow condition is indicated. This can be caused by any of the following conditions:


EVAP purge valve leaking.
EVAP purge and engine vacuum lines switched at the EVAP purge valve.
EVAP purge valve control circuit grounded. If any of these conditions are present, DTC P1441 will set.


CONDITIONS FOR SETTING THE DTC


No Throttle Position (TP) sensor, ODM, IAT sensor, or MAP sensor DTCs set.
The DTC P0442 diagnostic test has passed.
A continuous open purge flow condition is detected during the diagnostic test (fuel tank pressure decreases to less than -11 in. H20).


ACTION TAKEN WHEN THE DTC SETS


The PCM will illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) during the first trip in which the diagnostic test has been run and failed.
The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame and Fail Records data.


NOTE: Although these diagnostics are considered type A, they act like type B diagnostics under certain conditions. Whenever the EVAP diagnostics report that the system has passed, or if the battery has been disconnected, the diagnostic must fail during two consecutive cold start trips before setting a DTC. The initial failure is not reported to the diagnostic executive or displayed on a scan tool. A passing system always reports to the diagnostic executive immediately.


CONDITIONS FOR CLEARING THE MIL/DTC


The PCM will turn the MIL OFF during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has been run and passed.

The history DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.
The DTC can be cleared by using the scan tool Clear Info function or by disconnecting the PCM battery feed.


DIAGNOSTIC AIDS
Check for the following conditions:


Poor connection at the PCM.
Inspect harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and poor terminal to wire connection.


Damaged harness.
Inspect the wiring harness for damage.


If the harness appears to be OK, connect the J 41413 EVAP pressure/purge diagnostic station to the EVAP service port, pressurize the EVAP system to 10 in. H2O and observe the Fuel Tank Pressure display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the EVAP purge valve. A sudden change in the display will indicate the location of the malfunction.
Incorrect vacuum line routing.
Verify that the source vacuum line routing to the EVAP purge valve is correct and that the EVAP purge and source vacuum lines to the EVAP purge solenoid are not switched.


Malfunctioning or damaged canister.
A malfunctioning canister may intermittently allow charcoal into the EVAP purge solenoid, vacuum switch, and associated lines causing a DTC to be set. Use the following procedure to check for a carbon release condition:


Turn OFF the ignition switch.
Remove the EVAP purge valve.
Lightly tap the EVAP purge valve and (if applicable) the vacuum switch on a clean work area looking for carbon particles exiting either of the vacuum ports.
If no carbon release is evident, reinstall the components and continue with the DTC P1441 table. If carbon is being released from either component, continue with this service procedure.
Remove the charcoal canister from the vehicle.
Ensure that the main cylinder valve is turned off on the J 41413 EVAP purge/pressure diagnostic station.
Disconnect the black hose that connects the nitrogen cylinder to the EVAP purge/pressure diagnostic station at the pressure regulator by unscrewing the knurled nut on the regulator. No tools are required to remove the black hose from the regulator.
Using a section of vacuum line, connect one end over the open threaded fitting of the EVAP purge/pressure diagnostic station pressure regulator.
Connect the remaining end to the EVAP purge valve end of the EVAP purge line at the vehicle and turn on the main nitrogen cylinder valve. Continue to blow any debris from the purge line for 15 seconds.
Return the EVAP Pressure/Purge Diagnostic Station to its original condition by re-installing the black hose that was disconnected in step 7.
Replace the following components:
The EVAP purge valve.
The EVAP canister.
Proceed with the the DTC P1441 diagnostic table.
Reviewing the Fail Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.


TEST DESCRIPTION
Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.


If an EVAP purge valve electrical malfunction is present, the purge system will not operate correctly. Repairing the electrical malfunction will very likely correct the condition that set DTC P1441.
Checks the Fuel Tank Pressure sensor at ambient pressure
Checks for a stuck open EVAP purge valve.
Verifies that the fuel tank pressure sensor accurately reacts to EVAP system pressure changes.
If the EVAP purge and engine vacuum lines are switched at the EVAP purge solenoid, the solenoid valve will leak vacuum.
The PCM will command the EVAP purge and EVAP canister vent valves closed with the scan tool Seal System EVAP output control function activated. Fuel tank pressure should not decrease under this condition.


Hope this helps.