Hi everyone. It's been a while since I've even driven my 96 coupe. Came back from the Middle East and my wife had gotten me the car even though we weren't doing to well financially. I also found out my son is slightly autistic and about a 2 months ago, his friend who's very autistic got out of her yard and drowned. It was in the news. Sorry for the story but it feels good to let it out.

Anyways, the other day, I went to drive my car and the engine light went on. Scanned it and got a P0443 Evaporative Emission Control System Purge Control Valve Circuit Malfunction. Sounds serious to me. I have removed the code and open and closed the gas cap a couple of times but the engine light still goes on. What is this, where is this, how much for part and what do I need and how can I fix it myself. If I bring it to the shop, what would it cost me?
Thanks for listening everyone, Ed.

 

The other things going on are tough but fortunately I think this one won't be. It's not serious... check engine lights rarely are, and more often than not are about emissions equipment pieces being in danger of not doing their thing (which otherwise you'd never know).

I had this code too and I think it was due to an evap tube being unplugged, or maybe even the electric connector was unhooked. The evap system mainly sits on top of the engine and occasionally sucks air out of the gas tank to depressurize it to somewhere other than the atmosphere. When that's not happening, it throws a code and the thing lights up. And absolutely no other consequences result.

Before you start shopping for "the part", consider giving up on the idea of a quick parts replacement when it comes to most anything. Diagnosis is really hard and rarely is it the most obvious "main" component of a system. System being the key word, as each system in the car is made up of like ten things that could all go bad. More often the issue is instead something like "a mouse bit through a wire" or "a connector got too hot and isn't seating right" or "Too much glue here blocked the other thing from moving". Most people are doomed to a whole lot of frustration, and so is the guy behind the parts counter when they inevitably keep bringing parts back that weren't what was needed. The only answer is to follow the diagnostic flow charts in the factory book. Also, buy a factory book (helms.com). Or two, if they come in a set. Don't get the abridged preliminary one.

 

I'll have to check but IIRC the valve and solenoid control are on the passenger side front of the intake manifold near the throttle body. It (the malfunction) to my knowledge will not affect the operation of the engine or cause damage but the car will fail emissions testing. Before doing anything about testing or replacing the valve or solenoid, check (and probably replace) the vacuum hose going from the valve to the canister at the back of the passenger side front wheelwell. All of the vacuum hoses on the engine deteriorate over time. On mine, right after purchase, I replaced that hose (along with all the other vacuum hoses) as it was rotten.

Then use a OBDII scanner (or disconnect the battery) to clear the code and see what happens. Good luck.

 

Thanks to you 2. I'll check this weekend and hopefully it'll be an easy fix. Love trying to find out what could cause the engine light to go on!!!

 

If it happened to me I'd probably be trying to fool the circuit into thinking it was actually still working so the light would turn off, and be done with it. But I got rid of all my EVAP equipment and got that code programmed away when I sent in my computer for a retune. EVAP does nothing as far as the individual car owner is concerned.

 

I had the same error pop up on my '96, right before I was about to get the annual emission test (of all the luck; couldn't have happened after, right?).

I ordered mine from GMPartsDirect.com, and this was the part number:It's located on the passenger top side of the engine, underneath the fuel injector rail area, if I recall correctly. It has an electrical connector on it. If you remove the bolts for the bracket that it slides onto, that might make it easier to remove (I seem to recall that I had to eventually do that).

Here's an image of it: