Check Engine P0444

[scoule]

I had the check engine light appear this morning .. the fault code reader says P0444 and the manual gives the description as follows ... has anyone had this before? Is it common?

PO444 Purge Control Valve Circuit Open

Description: Circuit check

Malfunction Criteria: Logic level low

Secondary enable conditions:Purge valve state off

Disabled by faults:None

Time required:1 sec

Potential failure modes:

- Connectors

- Wire open circuit (fuse B7 blown?)

- Relay missing

- Relay faulty

- ECM input circuit failed

Limp home:None

Note:This is only available in USA vehicles

Strangely, it says USA only but this is a UK spec '00 Sport 350!

[Kato]

I'm going to look into this one.

[Kato]

Can you PM or email me your vin code, so we can check the Vehicle Spec. Should be able to get you an answer on this one once we have the vin.

[Kato]

Any luck with the Vin number! Have answers at the ready!

[scoule]

Any luck with the Vin number! Have answers at the ready!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry, I forgot last night - will get it tonight.

Thanks for your help :-)

[Kato]

email it to me at [email protected]. We can do it offline and I will post any relative info here for others.

[Kato]

The purge system is active in your Esprit. An air leak in the fuel evap loss system is the most common cause of MIL activation. Check the fuel cap as per described I pm'd you before, clear the fault code and road test. If the MIL illuminates and code PO444 resets, follow the potential failure modes I sent you.

Keep us updated on how you get on.

[scoule]

The purge system is active in your Esprit. An air leak in the fuel evap loss system is the most common cause of MIL activation. Check the fuel cap as per described I pm'd you before, clear the fault code and road test.  If the MIL illuminates and code PO444 resets, follow the potential failure modes I sent you.

Keep us updated on how you get on.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've re-seated the fuel filler cap and it appears to have a good seal against the filler neck, the seal inside the cap looks good. After resetting the fault code, I thought it was ok ... right up until the check engine light came on - I guess around 5 mins later in traffic.

Just before hand, I thought I heard the whirring of a motor from behind the bulkhead but that could be a coincidence.

I don't think I have the list of potential failure modes ... I don't seem to have any messages or email.

Thanks!

[Kato]

You've already listed them!

Potential failure modes:

- Connectors

- Wire open circuit (fuse B7 blown?)

- Relay missing

- Relay faulty

- ECM input circuit failed

You need to check these one at a time to see if one's responsible.

[scoule]

You've already listed them!

Potential failure modes:

- Connectors

- Wire open circuit (fuse B7 blown?)

- Relay missing

- Relay faulty

- ECM input circuit failed

You need to check these one at a time to see if one's responsible.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ah ok, I got a bit confused 'cos you said you listed them - wondered if you had some extra info!

Time to dig out the multimeter!