99 OBS trouble code...P0440 (purge solenoid)

[Del Gue]

I just got this code yesterday. Can anyone tell me if the "purge solenoid" is the same thing as a "vapor canister purge valve", that I found on Rockauto? Otherwise, I'll have to go to the dealer, which is hard for me to stomach. Thanks for any info.

[Fairtax4me]

Ususaly that's the code for the evap purge solenoid under the intake runners on the passenger side. That is this part: 16102AA080

http://www.subarupartsforyou.com/cp_partdetail.php?partid=15215

 

I'd get one from a junkyard before paying a dealer for it.

[NOMAD327]

I would inspect the fuel filler pipe first, there's been a rash of them going on the 96 to 99 wagons here lately, Sedans are not that different I would think. If you search on the P0440 code here, you will find more issues with the fuel pipe than the solenoids or the vapor canister itself. There is a plastic guard over the pipe that holds a big pile of fine dirt against the pipe and they rust out frequently. Some 98's and all 99 and newer have the shut valve mounted on the filler pipe and they also rust away. Most posts call the shut valve a rollover valve, so you can search on those names also. To really inspect the pipe, you need to jack the car a bit and remove the right rear wheel. The plastic guard prevents a good inspection and is held on by three 10MM bolts. My top one broke off due to rust, but the bottom two came out ok. I shortened my guard a bit to keep dirt from packing in place again and the two bolts were then adequate to reinstall it.

[the3rsss]

Amen to that! I chased that code for two months. The filler neck was full of holes and the valve was a blob of rust. Got a new neck and valve and the code is gone.

[Del Gue]

By saying "that's the part", you mean "that's what the part looks like", right? Because this part is for an 03 Forester, not a 99 OBS. The car has had a strong raw gas smell since I've owned it for the past year and a half, but it was just last week when the P0440 CEL came on, so I want to go this route first. The car is a complete rust bucket underneath...looks like the Titanic! Anyway, looks like Dealer time, because Subaru Parts For You does'nt have it and no yards around have a 99-01.

 

Thanks for all the help though.

[Fairtax4me]

Junkyard is good.

 

Raw gas smell fits with Nomads filler pipe suggestion. It's a pretty common issue on Subarus, worth checking out at least.

 

The solenoid part number was pulled from Opposedforces.com.

The same part is used in Forester, Impreza, and Legacy models across a wide range of years. http://opposedforces.com/parts/info/16102AA080/

[ocei77]

One other possibility.

Did you run the car after the low fuel light came on?

I ask because I am running a 98IOB which I purchased for my daughter and working out it's needs.

Just today was on the way back to cheaper gas and I had @20 miles to go.

As I was getting closer to my exit, I said to myself the CEL is going to come on soon. And, sure enough with @ 5 more miles to exit,CEL.

When I got home used scanner and yep 440.

It has occurred twice before and after going crazy the first two times, thought of a possible connection.

Not conclusive, but just another thought.

 

 

O.

[the3rsss]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but isn't a 0440 code electrical? The ecm tests the electrical circuit to the purge valve and it fails. This sets the code. Either an open circuit, bad solonoid, or bad ecm.

[SubieBlue]

I have the same code on my 99 Legacy Brighton. It has a serious gas smell when it's spitting gas back out the filler neck (which I've replaced.)

[Fairtax4me]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but isn't a 0440 code electrical? The ecm tests the electrical circuit to the purge valve and it fails. This sets the code. Either an open circuit, bad solonoid, or bad ecm.

 

On the earlier models, P0440 is a general Evap system code. It just means the ECM has found some fault with the Evap system, sometimes a leak, sometimes a stuck/dead solenoid, but the ECM can't pin down the problem because the programming isn't advanced enough to determine the actual source. Depending on year, model, transmission and engine type, there might not be a code specifically for the purge solenoid programmed in the ECM. So when there is an issue with the solenoid the ECM will just use the P0440 code.

Later models still use the 440 code because the programming is still there but, other codes are often present when the 440 code is set.

 

As OBD2 progressed into the late 90's and early 00's and the diagnostic programming became more advanced, they added codes for the ECM to be able to better pinpoint problems.

One of them, P0444 is a code for Purge control valve circuit open. As far as I can tell that code wasn't used until about 2000. In the 2000 Legacy FSM P0444 code is listed for MT vars, but not for AT cars. I can't find an FSM for a 99 OBS so I can't say if the OP's car could have that code or not.

[Del Gue]

One other possibility.

Did you run the car after the low fuel light came on?

I ask because I am running a 98IOB which I purchased for my daughter and working out it's needs.

Just today was on the way back to cheaper gas and I had @20 miles to go.

As I was getting closer to my exit, I said to myself the CEL is going to come on soon. And, sure enough with @ 5 more miles to exit,CEL.

When I got home used scanner and yep 440.

It has occurred twice before and after going crazy the first two times, thought of a possible connection.

Not conclusive, but just another thought.

 

 

O.

 

Yes, I tend to do this frequently (Above). Is there a method to clear out this code and to see what happens from there? Thanks for everyone's input. I am going to look into everyone's suggestions!

[ocei77]

Best to use a scanner.

If not unplug the battery, press brake to discharge any residual, wait a few minutes and reattach.

 

If you have keyless remote, you may have to reset the unit.

try turning key to on position before reattaching. Otherwise, use the valet button, which should be near the OBD plug.

Open driver door,hold valet button in for 15 secs. The doors will lock and unlock three times. Release valet and press lock button on remote. This programs that remote. If you have more than one, just press the lock button on it within 15 secs of the last unit.

 

O.

[Del Gue]

One other possibility.

Did you run the car after the low fuel light came on?

I ask because I am running a 98IOB which I purchased for my daughter and working out it's needs.

Just today was on the way back to cheaper gas and I had @20 miles to go.

As I was getting closer to my exit, I said to myself the CEL is going to come on soon. And, sure enough with @ 5 more miles to exit,CEL.

When I got home used scanner and yep 440.

It has occurred twice before and after going crazy the first two times, thought of a possible connection.

Not conclusive, but just another thought.

 

 

O.

 

I cleared the code this past weekend and have driven more than 40 miles or so, and the CEL has not come back on, so I do believe that you diagnosed it correctly. I filled the tank completely full, and now see where the raw gas smell is coming from. Do these OBSs have two fuel tanks? The one on the driver side has raw gas dripping down onto the tank from where it connects to the car. As I've mentioned before, this car looks like the Titanic underneath, with major rust issues. When it is only half full, there is no dripping issue and the fumes are not nearly as bad. I will run it close to empty and then put it up on some stands to see if this is fixable. Otherwise, I might have to keep it under half full for the rest of the time. Thanks everyone for your help!