p0443 code on 1996 Explorer

[w060979]

I got this code on my daughters explorer. I'm working through the items listed as possible causes. Had the DPFE sensor and solenoid replaced by repair shop for $467. Check engine light came back on. Replaced the purge control valve myself. Light came back on. Now I'm up to replacing the vapor canister(s). I found them under the spare tire, an easy enough fix, but there are 2. Do both of them need to be replaced? Everything I've read only mentions canister in the singular, and does not say anything about both. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[swshawaii]

Far from an EVAP expert here. If it were me I'd find a reputable shop and do a smoke test to PINPOINT your leak.
Nothing worse than throwing more expensive parts at it without a fix. Motorcraft CX1690 EVAP canisters are around
$85 each on RockAuto, or $154 MSRP at your local Ford dealer.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/evap_system.htm

 

[w060979]

Thanks for the info. No shop has suggested a smoke test yet. I looked up what it was, and that will probably be my next move. Thanks

 

[gatzdon]

Leaks throw different codes.

P0443 is for a fault anywhere in the EVAP control circuit.

I'm not an expert, but I would be testing parts before replacing them blindly. The manual has a process for testing components until you find the one that failed.

Forscan on a PC (free to download) allows you to issue some (if not all) of the troubleshooting commands to test for wiring or solenoid failure.

I'm not an emmissions expert by any means, but for a P0443 code, I would have started with checking the purge solenoid first, not replacing it blindly.

With forscan, you can pull pending codes from the PCM. If there is a pending code for a leak, then I would be paying someone to smoke test the lines.

That said, my 2000 Explorer has a gross leak at the filler nozzle and still doesn't through P0443. If you had all those parts replaced and the problem persists, I would guess that it's in the wiring somewhere. It's rare, but don't rule out a failure in the computer itself.