Well, about a year ago, I got a check engine light on my '96 S (stock, 'cept for 15" ltwt. alloy wheels) firing code #92 (insufficient purge flow). Narrowed it down to the Purge Control Valve, turns out the solenoid wasn't firing.

Okay, no big deal, this nearly useless part lists for $135 new, but I can just go to the junkyard and buy another for a lot less. Go to the Auto Recycling Center, pull one from a rolled over '97 Civic LX, install it, reset the ECU, go two weeks before -another- check engine light, same code. I'd never tested the "new" purge control valve before installing, but when I pulled it out, solenoid wasn't clicking. Well damn, out $25.

For the past year I've just been riding on it, I'm not entirely sure what it really does, or why running with it disconnected and always open or always closed still manages to give me a code called "insufficient purge flow".

Two weeks ago I found another one at the junkyard. This time a rear ended '98 Civic LX. Tested it on a battery, solenoid works. Put it in my car, go two weeks, today the goddamn check engine light comes back on. Same code. It's driving me nuts!

What this all boils down to is two questions:

#1) What on Earth could be causing these things to stop working! Even with a complete wiring fault, which would've been found by now as I had the electrical system gone over by a trusted mechanic and there were no discrepancies, there's no way I know of that a car could provide the kind of power needed to just fry a solenoid.

#2) How much of an effect does the evaporative emissions control system in OBD2 cars have on the content of the car's exhaust? Is there going to be any large impact in getting the entire evap system removed?

your EVAP system shouldn't affect your exhaust. The EVAP system is basically to prevent HC's (raw gas) from entering the atmosphere. If you are still worried, take your car to a shop and have them run a gas analyzer on it.

Gas analyzer, huh? I'll keep that in mind, thanks.

Since no one seems to know what might cause such a thing, I'll rephrase my question:

Does anyone know how to get the computer to stop caring? I certainly don't care if there's insufficient purge flow, or if I'm leaking a miniscule amount of fuel vapor into the atmosphere, but having to reset the ECU before having the car inspected, etc. is pissing me off. Is there a sensor I can disconnect or fake out somehow?