what is the most likely cause of this?

 

A problem in the vacuum lines to the evap control solenoid. It could be an exploded charcoal canister, a loose vacuum hose, or just a loose/old gas cap. The evap control system pulls the gas fumes from the gas tank, stores them in an activated charcoal canister located under the drivers side of the bed, through the solenoid hanging on the throttle body, and feeds them to the intake. All the code means is the solenoid isn't maintaining a constant vacuum. could be anywhere from the tank, to the intake, or just the vacuum system in general. pull the line from the canister, if charcoal falls out, youll need to blow out your lines and get a new one. If not, tighten your gas cap

 

i unhooked one of the lines to the canister and charcoal was coming out a little... also my engines gettn pretty worn and doesnt have real great vac if that has anything to do with it?

 

it does sir. You are going to need a new canister. You can get it from the dealer, I couldnt find one anywhere else (about 65 dollars) disconnect all the lines and blow them out with compressed air. Reconnect everything and it should be ok. If you cant clear one of the clogs with air then you will need to buy new vacuum lines too, which can get pricey, and some you will have to fabricate because chrystler doesnt carry them.

Having your air vents act crazy by chance?

 

will it hurt to leave it be for now? i cleared the code and am waiting to see if it comes back.

yep when in overdrive and you get on the gas they go wild.

i am getting a new engine fairly soon

 

it will. You have serious vacuum problems man. At the very least dissconnect the evap system from the intake and put a rubber cap in the intake. Youll keep throwing the code, but if you arent getting inspected soon who gives a ****. But you dont want that charcoal feeding into your engine. The vents act that way because of changes in the vacuum pressures, im sure you knew that. The make a "vacuum canister" that acts as a one way valve to help maintain vacuum so the vents stay put, I bet you could rig a second one past the solenoid to keep the vacuum on and stop the code, but you definitely need to remove the canister and low the charcoal out of the lines.. It aint doin no good broke.

 

besides emissions is there any harm in unplugging it?

 

just the open vacuum. But if you plug that with a rubber boot no.

 

how will my gas tank vent?

 

out of the hole that would normally go to the canister