EVAP System Leak Detection Strategy

System Fault Detection
The EVAP leak detection strategy is based on applying vacuum to the EVAP system and monitoring vacuum decay. The PCM monitors vacuum level via the fuel tank pressure sensor. At an appropriate time, the EVAP purge solenoid and the EVAP vent solenoid are turned "ON," allowing the engine vacuum to draw a small vacuum on the entire evaporative emission system.

After the desired vacuum level has been achieved, the EVAP purge solenoid is turned "OFF," sealing the system. A leak is detected by monitoring for a decrease in vacuum level over a given time period, all other variables remaining constant. A small leak in the system will cause DTC P0442 to be set.

If the desired vacuum level cannot be achieved in the test described above, a large leak or a faulty EVAP purge solenoid is indicated.

Leaks can be caused by the following conditions:
- Disconnected or faulty fuel tank pressure sensor
- Missing or faulty fuel cap
- Disconnected, damaged, pinched, or blocked EVAP purge line
- Disconnected or damaged EVAP vent hose
- Disconnected, damaged, pinched, or blocked fuel tank vapor line
- Disconnected or faulty EVAP purge solenoid
- Disconnected or faulty EVAP vent solenoid
- Open ignition feed circuit to the EVAP vent or purge solenoid
- Damaged EVAP canister
- Leaking fuel sender assembly O-ring
- Leaking fuel tank or fuel filler neck

A restricted or blocked EVAP vent path is detected by drawing vacuum into the EVAP system, turning "OFF" the EVAP vent solenoid and the EVAP purge solenoid (EVAP vent solenoid "OPEN," EVAP purge Pulse Width Modulate (PWM) "0 %") and monitoring the fuel tank vacuum sensor input. With the EVAP vent solenoid open, any vacuum in the system should decrease quickly unless the vent path is blocked. A blockage like this will set DTC P0446 and can be caused by the following conditions:
- Faulty EVAP vent solenoid (stuck closed)
- Plugged, kinked or pinched vent hose
- Shorted EVAP vent solenoid driver circuit
- Plugged EVAP canister

The PCM supplies a ground to energize the purge solenoid (purge "ON"). The EVAP purge control is 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 vent solenoid "ON" and the EVAP purge solenoid "OFF" (EVAP vent solenoid "CLOSED," EVAP purge PWM "0 %"). If fuel tank vacuum level increases during the test, a continuous purge flow condition is indicated, which will set a DTC P1441. This can be cause by the following conditions:
- EVAP purge solenoid leaking
- EVAP purge and engine vacuum lines switched at the EVAP purge solenoid
- EVAP purge solenoid driver circuit grounded.