a constant reader in need of HELP!

Hi all -

After three years of delightful service from my 03 Avalon, I got a 'check
engine' light yesterday. Went to Auto Zone and borrowed their code
reader, finding out that I had three related errors. P0441, P0442 and
P0446.

0441 is - evap. emission control system purge flow fault
0442 is - " " " " leak (small)
0446 is - " " " " vent circuit
malfunction

So my question is ....how to approach this fix, and if I can detect where
the problem is and fix it, how do I clear the check engine light ? I'm
thinking there may be a leaky vacuum hose, or the canister needs
replacement, or whatever, but I don't want to start by troubleshooting in
the dark.
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

"mack" <mackerel@dslextreme.com> wrote in message
news:12j4u44oat3v22c@corp.supernews.com...[color=blue]
> Hi all -
>
> After three years of delightful service from my 03 Avalon, I got a 'check
> engine' light yesterday. Went to Auto Zone and borrowed their code
> reader, finding out that I had three related errors. P0441, P0442 and
> P0446.
>
> 0441 is - evap. emission control system purge flow fault
> 0442 is - " " " " leak (small)
> 0446 is - " " " " vent circuit
> malfunction
>
> So my question is ....how to approach this fix, and if I can detect where
> the problem is and fix it, how do I clear the check engine light ? I'm
> thinking there may be a leaky vacuum hose, or the canister needs
> replacement, or whatever, but I don't want to start by troubleshooting in
> the dark.
> Any suggestions?
> Thanks in advance.[/color]

There are 2 technical service bulletins (TSB) related to this condition:
EG01303 and EG01303R (the "R" suffix means that it this is a revision of the
first TSB). You can get online access to TSB's at NHTSA's on line web site
at [url]http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/[/url] (searching for TSB's is free but
there is a fee to look at the actual TSB. You can also get online access to
Toyota's technical publications at techinfo.toyota.com for $10/day.

My guess is a charcoal canister purge valve problem.

My advice is to NOT clear the trouble codes, leave the check engine light
on, and take it to a Toyota dealer for diagnosis and repair. The repair may
be covered by the emissions warranty.

Good luck!
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:cb6f8$45327dd9$180ffe52$17247@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "mack" <mackerel@dslextreme.com> wrote in message
> news:12j4u44oat3v22c@corp.supernews.com...[color=green]
>> Hi all -
>>
>> After three years of delightful service from my 03 Avalon, I got a 'check
>> engine' light yesterday. Went to Auto Zone and borrowed their code
>> reader, finding out that I had three related errors. P0441, P0442 and
>> P0446.
>>
>> 0441 is - evap. emission control system purge flow fault
>> 0442 is - " " " " leak (small)
>> 0446 is - " " " " vent circuit
>> malfunction
>>
>> So my question is ....how to approach this fix, and if I can detect
>> where the problem is and fix it, how do I clear the check engine light ?
>> I'm thinking there may be a leaky vacuum hose, or the canister needs
>> replacement, or whatever, but I don't want to start by troubleshooting in
>> the dark.
>> Any suggestions?
>> Thanks in advance.[/color]
>
> There are 2 technical service bulletins (TSB) related to this condition:
> EG01303 and EG01303R (the "R" suffix means that it this is a revision of
> the first TSB). You can get online access to TSB's at NHTSA's on line web
> site at [url]http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/[/url] (searching for TSB's is
> free but there is a fee to look at the actual TSB. You can also get
> online access to Toyota's technical publications at techinfo.toyota.com
> for $10/day.
>
> My guess is a charcoal canister purge valve problem.
>
> My advice is to NOT clear the trouble codes, leave the check engine light
> on, and take it to a Toyota dealer for diagnosis and repair. The repair
> may be covered by the emissions warranty.
>
> Good luck!
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
~~~~~~~~~~~~'
Once again, many thanks Ray! I'll keep the ng posted on developments and
whether the emission control stuff is subject to the 8 year, 80,000 mile
warranty. Hope so.[color=blue]
>[/color]

"mack" <mackerel@dslextreme.com> wrote in message
news:12j5mb0373eua6b@corp.supernews.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:cb6f8$45327dd9$180ffe52$17247@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=green]
>>
>> "mack" <mackerel@dslextreme.com> wrote in message
>> news:12j4u44oat3v22c@corp.supernews.com...[color=darkred]
>>> Hi all -
>>>
>>> After three years of delightful service from my 03 Avalon, I got a
>>> 'check engine' light yesterday. Went to Auto Zone and borrowed their
>>> code reader, finding out that I had three related errors. P0441, P0442
>>> and P0446.
>>>
>>> 0441 is - evap. emission control system purge flow fault
>>> 0442 is - " " " " leak (small)
>>> 0446 is - " " " " vent circuit
>>> malfunction
>>>
>>> So my question is ....how to approach this fix, and if I can detect
>>> where the problem is and fix it, how do I clear the check engine light ?
>>> I'm thinking there may be a leaky vacuum hose, or the canister needs
>>> replacement, or whatever, but I don't want to start by troubleshooting
>>> in the dark.
>>> Any suggestions?
>>> Thanks in advance.[/color]
>>
>> There are 2 technical service bulletins (TSB) related to this condition:
>> EG01303 and EG01303R (the "R" suffix means that it this is a revision of
>> the first TSB). You can get online access to TSB's at NHTSA's on line
>> web site at [url]http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/[/url] (searching for TSB's
>> is free but there is a fee to look at the actual TSB. You can also get
>> online access to Toyota's technical publications at techinfo.toyota.com
>> for $10/day.
>>
>> My guess is a charcoal canister purge valve problem.
>>
>> My advice is to NOT clear the trouble codes, leave the check engine light
>> on, and take it to a Toyota dealer for diagnosis and repair. The repair
>> may be covered by the emissions warranty.
>>
>> Good luck!
>> --
>>
>> Ray O
>> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~'
> Once again, many thanks Ray! I'll keep the ng posted on developments and
> whether the emission control stuff is subject to the 8 year, 80,000 mile
> warranty. Hope so.[color=green]
>>[/color][/color]

You're welcome! I hope the repairs are covered and look forward to hearing
what the cause and cure are.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)