My brother hooked up his scanner to my Dakota to find out what the P0443 meant and it said, "EVAP Purge Solenoid Circuit Malfunction". Possible causes were: 1) EVAP purge solenoid connector is damaged, open or shorted 2) EVAP purge solenoid circuit is open, shorted to ground or shorted to voltage 3) EVAP canister purge solenoid damaged or it has failed.

I would like to ask, "what can I check in the connector" and "how can I check if the circuit is open"? I'd like to check this problem out before taking it to the mechanic (which I'd rather not do). Also, how will I know if the solenoid should be replaced? Is it easy to remove? Can it be cleaned?

Sorry for all the questions! Since my husband passed away I've been trying to learn about my truck. I've been doing pretty well although it takes me longer to figure things out because I don't know what alot of parts, hoses, sensors, solenoids, lines, etc. are or where they're located. The more info anyone will give me the better!! Diagrams and pics are great also!!

Thanks for any info/help regarding this EVAP Purge Solenoid!! I truly appreciate your time and expertise!!

 

is it ticking while its running at operating temp you should be able to hear it. if it is and your still getting the code chances are there is a problem with it might do some more diagnostics on it. if its not ticking or making noise it's toast.

 

This may sound strange but hear me out. I have a 97 dakota and had a similar issue. The problem turned out to be a blown fuse. Check your fuse block on the drivers end of the dash for the circuit for the overhead console. It is a 10A fuse if memory serves me. I took this fuse out to put in my cigarette lighter because I don't have a console in my truck. Within a couple of days my check engine light came on and gave me a purge solenoid code. The truck ran fine and I couldn't find anything wrong. I tried replacing the solenoid and no change. Then one day I decided to replace the missing fuse in the fuse block and VOILA!! The check engine light disappeared and hasn't come on again to this day.

Hope this solves your problem. If not, I don't know what to tell you.
Good luck.

 

Pileit1....you da man...I have a 98 Dodge Dakota, I could not get rid of that evap code, I took it to the shop and after 5 hours of research they told me that I would have to take it to the dealer and possibly have the ecm replaced. I came home and googled it, ended up here and because you took the time to post your experience with the problem, you saved me hundreds of dollars in diagnostic fees....$3.50 for a pack of 10 amp fuses... God bless you man.....

 

Awesome find pileit1 !!! Thanks to your post this site has a new member!

 

ok let's give it a try

 

when the fuel tank purge valve failed in my (other brand) car it was hard to start after filling the tank. not sure if this is a symptom in Dodge trucks or not???

JP

 

Mine wouldn't crank at all until after I changed the purge.

 

after spending days working on my truck to try to get the check engine light to shut off after pulling a zero 443 code being EVAP system problem I read the form and found it was just a fuse in the cab of the truck number 11 I believe for the console 10 amp problem solved thank you. Dodge form!!

 

Mine was just throwing this code on and off, my 96 3.9l doesn't have a fuse though, all I did was put some dielectric tune up grease on the plug then it was good to go, I heard the clicking after I cleared the code, thank you for letting me know what to look for, sorry for bringing up an old post.