00' prizm p0441 problem

I have a 00' prizm which has 116000 miles already. I'm starting to have the "common" P0441problem these day(though I'm not sure if the problem is always there since I'm not the original owner). after doing my research, my suspects are those VSV valves or even the vapor cannister itself. the question I have is which valve most likely tend to fail. some one said that's the one near the cannister, but actually there're two come with the cannister, one is pressure sensor and the other is pressure switching valve. where can I buy these sensor or valve? I can only find the cannister and it comes with the pressure sensor and the valve. in worst case, I may need to change the whole vapor cannister. I can find a relatively cheap one for 00' corolla, will that fit my prizm? the seller is http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=214621 the price is 180 $
thx for reading. any tips or suggestions will be appreciated. thx

shao

go to a junk yard..best bet

are they the same as those for 00 corolla? thx
it's kinda hard to find 00corolla or prizm in junkyard though.

just wanna keep u guys posted. I finally took the car the chevy dealer. it has been there for two days and they finally called me. they found the purge solenoid is the problem. it gonna cost me 350$....... that's absolutely a deep bite.... I think the purge solenoid comes with the purge valve, right? forgot the ask them if it's the one in the back or the one in the front. the one in the back comes with the vapor cannister, right? thx for ur time.

Ouch - that is a big bite for sure. Thanks for your update. Sounds like they are replacing the entire canister and some labor as well.
I'm putting off replacing mine. Getting the same code. I started removing the canister to test the two valves attached to it but the exhaust was in the way and couldn't get it out. Ran out of time and got rust in my eye even with safety goggles on. Been driving with CE light ever since. Still runs good.
Keep us posted on the final outcome. Thanks again. Tom

hey, Tom. thx for replying. "Sounds like they are replacing the entire canister and some labor as well" that's what I was thinking at first. But when I went there to get my car back since I need to use my car tomorrow and they havnt get the part yet, I looked up the paperwork, it said only the purge valve(140$) and sealing stuff(5$). but the guy did say it's the valve near the fuel tank, so I'm assuming that's the pressure switch valve on the cannister. I dont know why dont they just change the whole piece. I guess I gonna go ahead and have them fix it since they offer 12month warranty and I'm selling my car to a friend(u just dont wanna ur friendship ruined by a stupid CEL,:) )
BTW, i havnt dealed with "dealer warranty" before. I assume that if I have the same code in 12month, they will fix that for free(both labor and part). does that sound right? thx

Yeding,
It's likely that is the same problem with mine. I can now see why they charge so much labor - It seems simple to get at but it isn't. The valve assembly appears to be bolted on, but is at a hard to reach position. The bolt on mine is rusty, and wouldn't budge. Didn't want to break the plastic or damage a wire. That's when I tried to get the whole canister out. When I first had the CEL I replaced the front of car valve, and that kept the light off for a whole month. When it started coming on again, I read more about it here (thanks John Holl) and focused on the back valve. One of these days I'll get around to fixing it. You sound like a good guy to fix a car before selling it to someone you know. Good karma will return to you for that. Tom

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! You mean to tell me your going to let them charge you $140.00 for a purge valve! It's a $5.00 part at the junk yard. AND the reason they're replacing the canister is that GM is baffled by the po441 code problem....THEY CAN'T SOLVE IT!Look, if it was the purge valve they wouldn't be replacing the canister. You had better get a total guaranty from that dealer before you give them a dime...Shit, give me the number I'll call that dealer long distance myself>

hi, Johnhall. thx for reply. I'm still waiting for their part to come in..... The guy told me that's the valve new the fuel tank, so I'm assuming it's the one on the cannister. I dont know why dont they just change the whole cannister assembly though...and thx. I'll make sure it comes with total warranty when I bring in the car. damn, already paid for 90 bucks diagnosis fee..
The part number is 94859247 for the valve. is there anyone know what valve it is?
BTW, why do u think that they cannt fix it? did u change urs before? thx

No they didn't change mine. I'm an electronic technician, and I've don't quite a bit of reaserch on these OBDII systems. I have yet to hear of anyone eliminating this flag unless the mech takes the time and effort to properly interpolate the data. Theorys include people overfilling their tanks [going past the shutoff click] flooding and ruining the canisters. The canistor is below the tank. All the switching valves can be eaisily tested with the proper tools, both in and out of curcuit. Their are I think four or five components involved.

purge solonoid located near the air cleaner assembly

vacuum switching valve, vent valve, and fuel tank pressure valve [all located at the canister- tucked under the rear axle] These are the componets that are subjected to all the dirt and road salt. I'm thinking that it's one of these.

And of course the canister.

My mechanic had reset the computer and then do the emmisions testing after the computer reset, but before the Check engine light flagged. A very nerve racking process indeed in order to pass NYS inspection.

Most people take it to their mechanic or dealer the mechanic replaces a part, resets the computer...BILLS them. The light goes off. The customer is happy..for a couple of weeks...till the light comes back on.

I like the posts where they replace the gas cap. Well the gass cap is an entirely different code.

You can blame the Federal Government for all this. Helping the environment by fleecing the American taxpayer with fees and regulation.

I have a '98 Chevy Prizm with 140,000. In 2005, paid someone $65 to diagnose my check engine light [(PO441- Evap purge flow low-$?) & (PO446-Evap vent sol (canister- $381.50- in 2005)]. I then bought a Actron CP9125 scan tool on Ebay for $40 including shipping to check and/or erase codes myself, after repairs of course! If you know anyone with a '96-'98 Corolla (14 years or 150,000 miles), they can get the Emission problems fixed for free (anything thing from the gas cap to the intake mainfold. Unfortunately, Chevy Prizms even though on the same assembly line are not included in the 'free' fix. Spoke to the Lead prosecutor in case, he said originally Prizms were on the list. But since Toyota didn't trust GM to do the job correctly or even do the job and just bill Toyota for no work done. I my own opinion, I think GM might do something like that See link, click on 'affected vehicles' link: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/caa/toyota.html
Did a Google search of: 'PO441' & 'PO446' only, no other terms. Found this website, someone posted info about a discount auto parts house (new parts), and their issue with the PO441 code. They bought the PO441 code part called Vapor canister purge valve for $85 at Rockauto.com, ACDELCO part number 214-950. Installation was simple. It's located on top of the engine on drivers side of compartment, behind air filter. It's 'L' shaped and has a single 10mm bolt holding it on. Really easy to reach. Just disconnect the two vacuum lines (the top one I moved to the left, the bottom one I moved to the right, so as not mix them up). Disconnect wiring harness, then reconnect everything and turn check engine light off. It's been two weeks since 'I' did this, the check engine light has yet to come back on. Only tool needed was a 10mm socket with 6" extension. I'm sahring this for anyone who doesn't like like the dealer to fix the easy stuff. My other issue with PO446 is the Evap canister. Paid $285 for a new one at Rockauto.com, paid my mechanic $50 to put it one since I don't have a lift. Just used my scan tool- 'No codes', horaay my car is going to pass emissions this year no problems. Just imagine what a dealer or car inspection mechanic would have tried to 'rob me' for. Good Luck!

Wrenchhead - that was me who posted some of that thread about the front valve quoted right above ^^^.
Keep reading further here and you'll see that the problem returned several weeks later. It's one of the back valves causing the headache now with code P0441.

John Holl - I've gotten to the point where I entertain myself driving to work and guessing about when the light will come on after clearing the code. You are right about this not happening with a full tank - it waits until about 45 miles or so. Idling at a traffic light after a long steady drive will toss the code. The car has developed some other issues, so I'm not prioritizing this one at all. Tom

the PCM, I'm guessing through readings produced by the tank pressure sensor, will not initialize the 0441 code if the tank is above 3/4 or below 1/4.

Also the 0411 will not initailize if the outside temp is below a predetermined value. If it was winter, the light would stay off.

If your state doesn't require the proper funtioning of the obdII system for inspection...your in the clear. Unfortunately, I think safety has taken a backseat to the passage of emmissions portion as far as the annual inspections are concearned