Code 1441

[ricksch]

Can anyone tell me where the charcol canister for the fuel vapor system is located on a "96"?

Trying to pin down a surge problem present at all speeds, especially acceleration. O2 sensors, plugs, wires and optispark, fuel pump and filter new. Getting error codes P0300 (random misfire) and P1441 which is related to the Evaporative Emssion Control System.

 

[vettenick]

It should be behind the passenger side rear side marker light. The tire must come off, and there's a small panel that must come off (3 or 4 bolts).
I'm not sure if that's the cause of the surge. Get a fuel pressure gauge, hook it up and drive the car with the gauge taped to the windshield. When the car acts up see what the fuel pressure is.
Just a question: Does the car act up cold, warm, or both?

 

[ricksch]

Acts up warm and cold. More noticable when warmed up.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[vettenick]

Since it's a random misfire, I would look at the things that affect all cylinders such as: Fuel pressure- could be a regulator. EGR valve -try disconnecting the vacuum line going to it, plug it and test drive to see if it's better or worse. There's a solenoid that the computer uses to control it, so it could be one of them. The third item that pops into my head is the possibility of a weak ignition coil.
Here's where a scan tool can help, because when the computer trips a fault code, it keeps a freeze frame of the vehicle's operating condition when the problem had occurred. At this point you can actually look at the vehicle's sensors, engine speed, vehicle speed to see if something looks abnormal.

 

[ricksch]

Checked fuel pressure as recommended. 40 with key on, Quick acceleration jumps to 45, levels back to 40 when cruising. No change in fuel pressure when hesitation takes place. I left guage hooked up for an hour or so and it bled down to 35 with key off, however jumpped nack to 40 when I turned ignition on again.

No EGR valve on 96. Location of EGR has plate blocking it off. Found out when I was going to replace it

The only reason that I'm looking into the fuel system and Emissions system is because it's a random misfire. My scanner isn't sofisticated enough to diagnose exact system causing the problem. Plan on biulding my own with some plans I found on the internet. The software was free.

By the way, thanks for pointing location of Charcol Canister for me. I would have never found it. The panel covering it is located between rear quarter panel and muffler. It has 2 plastic body fasteners and hooked over a brace on quater panel (Poppped out with ease. Fasteners that is.). Charcol Canister was a different story though. 3 choices: (1) Remove rear of car body. (2) Remove RT rear wheelwell and (3) Work it until it comes free from between muffler and quarter panel. I chose the later. Bent piece of aluminum rvieted to bottom of quarter panel, but was able to bend it back with no noticable damage.

 

[ricksch]

Oh, I have a new coil. Almost all of the ignition system is new. Car has 117k on it, so while I was under the hood I thought I would do it all. Too many horror stories about Optispark!!!!!!

 

[vettenick]

If you want, I can fax you the troubleshoting chart for that code. By the way, the 1996 service manual says that there should be an EGR valve on your car. Just a thought.