I have a 97' Firebird and the SES light has been on for a while. I had the diagnostics read and it came back with error cod 1441 from the EVAP system. According to the printout the issue is either with my canister purge solenoid or my fuel tank pressure sensor. A few months ago i changed the purge solenoid located on the passenger side of the car under the hood. The SES light went off and is now back on. I am not sure what to do at this point. I know there is a canister purge solenoid valve but i'm not sure if thats the issue, and i also know the the FTPS is located on top of the fuel tank and I would have to drop that ot get to the sensor. If anyone has any suggestions or answers please let me know. Thank you.

 

When you changed the purge solenoid, did you check the vacuum line to the canister to see if it had any charcoal in it? If so, it would have needed to be purged.

P1441 Evaporative Emissions (EVAP) system flow during non-purge - means the vacuum switch (round thing) by the purge solenoid is telling the computer that there is vacuum when there is not supposed to be. Either it is lying or the solenoid is stuck open (more likely) or getting power to turn on when it is not supposed to (less likely).

AFAIK, there is no pressure sensor by the tank. There is a pressure control valve, but no sensor.

A search should have netted some or all of this info.

 

Shoebox,

Thank you for the reply. I did spend a lot of time searching the internet for the answer and i could not find a thing and of course the people at Autozone were no help. Now my question is, if the solenoid is stuck open how do i fix that? Also, how would i go about checking if there was charcoal is in the vacuum line and then purge it? I'm that guy who bought the book for his car and is trying to learn things as i go because i really don't have the funds to give to a mechanic. Any help is appreciated. By the way it's a V6 with a 3800 engine.

 

Good thing you said what the car has in it. You posted in the LT1 forum, so, naturally people are going to think that is what you have. (though the EVAP system is essentially the same)

You can remove the solenoid, lay it on it's side and tap on it to see if any charcoal is present. That goes for any portion of the line to the canister. They can be blown out with some compressed air.

BTW, when I mentioned searching, I meant this site. First time posters often ask questions that have been answered many times.

 

Cool man thanks a lot. I'll check it out this weekend and hopefully it works.

 

Should i make an attempt at doing that with all the parts in an around the SPC or is that the only part other than the wire that may have charcoal in it? Also, how would i know if i need a new charcoal canister? Sorry man i just have to ask this stuff so i'm not wondering.

 

Check all parts inline for any clogging. The canister may be ok. If the lines are clogged, take care of that and then see what happens.

 

Will do thank you again.