After getting gas on Sunday afternoon, I got in my car and started it, and noticed the malfunction indicator light was staying on, in my 03 SXT manual it says this is the malfunction indicator light and could be due to poor fuel quality, since then I have let my gas get down to 1/4 of a tank twice and then refueled for the next two days and it has stayed on. Does anyone know what could be causing this or should I go ahead and go have a diagnostics test done at autozone?

I just had my fuel injector and engine flushed last month when I got my last oil change (I need to go ahead and go in to get another as I will be due this weekend) but, I would think that if there was a problem with the tank, or the engine they would have said something at that time. The car has 109,450 miles on it as of this evening and no other troubles whatsoever.

Thanks!

 

I would pull the code. That would have to be some very poor quality gas IMO. The CEL usually almost always only comes on when there is an emissions problem. --> Loose gas cap?

 

I adjusted the cap but the light stayed on, It's just weird that I noticed several cars parked in the front of the tanks after getting gas that day, that's what led me to believe that it was probably bad fuel.

I will go to auto zone saturday and get the test done, if anyone else has any suggestions please feel free to post them. For some reason I've always had a horrible paranoia of something happening to the transmission in this car, but have never had any signs that it was going or slipping in any way.

 

Anyone know what that code stands for?

That's the only code they found at advanced auto when I had them do the diagnostics test last night.

 

P0441-EVAP PURGE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

When Monitored: Cold start test. Engine Running. Small Leak Test Passed.

Set Condition: The PCM activates the EVAP Purge solenoid gradually increases to maximum flow. During flow, the PCM looks for the NVLD switch to close. If the PCM does not see the NVLD switch close at maximum flow an error is detected. Two Trip Fault.

POSSIBLE CAUSES

• GOOD TRIP EQUAL TO ZERO
• INTERMITTENT CONDITION
• CHECKING EVAP PURGE SOLENOID FUNCTIONALITY
• EVAP PURGE SOLENOID VACUUM SUPPLY

 

EVAP/PURGE SOLENOID DESCRIPTION OPERATION

All vehicles use a proportional purge solenoid. The solenoid regulates the rate of vapor flow from the EVAP canister to the throttle body. The PCM operates the solenoid.
During the cold start warm-up period and the hot start time delay, the PCM does not energize the solenoid. When de-energized, no vapors are purged.
The proportional purge solenoid operates at a frequency of 200 hz and is controlled by an engine controller circuit that senses the current being applied to the proportional purge solenoid (Fig. 2) and then adjusts that current to achieve the desired purge flow. The proportional purge solenoid controls the purge rate of fuel vapors from the vapor canister and fuel tank to the engine intake manifold.



REMOVAL
The solenoid attaches to a bracket near the steering gear (Fig. 3). The solenoid will not operate unless it is installed correctly.
(1) Raise vehicle and support.
(2) Disconnect electrical connector from solenoid.
(3) Disconnect vacuum tubes from solenoid.
(4) Remove solenoid from bracket.

INSTALLATION
The solenoid attaches to a bracket near the steering gear (Fig. 3). The solenoid will not operate unless it is installed correctly.
The top of the solenoid has TOP printed on it. The solenoid will not operate unless it is installed correctly.
(1) Install solenoid on bracket.
(2) Connect vacuum tube to solenoid.
(3) Connect electrical connector to solenoid.
(4) Lower vehicle.