96 Regal Check Engine light will not go out!

A while back my engine light came on the way to work. I immediately took to a service place. They charged me $85 for a diagnostic to tell me that the only code that came back was "The PCH has determined that the purge flow in the evaporative emission control system is incorrect for the current engine operating conditions." The said that there was a hose to the purge canister that needed to be reconnected and they did that and charged me another $2.70 for labor. Anyway, the light came back on again the next day and still won't go out. They said that they would have to charge me ANOTHER $80 to look at it again, I said forget it. So I took my car to autozone and the SAME code came up. They assured me it really isn't anything to worry about. They told me about the whole fuel cap tightening, wait a week etc. Nothing...code still came up. I am thinking that the repair place didn't do anything but disconnect the battery to get the light to go off briefly so I would leave. Anyone know how to get this light off??? I really don't want to pay more money for them to keep doing this. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

Hey, Just to give you a tip on how to clear codes as i have a 94, according to the manual codes can be cleared by disconnecting the positive terminal from your battery for about a minute. This may also delete the service engine soon scenario for a bit but it may come back. If your car runs alright and you checked alll cannister connections , dont worry be happy,unfortunately if the light persists it may interfere with other incoming codes sent.Sign maybe that ecm is going> Ciao!

You cannot clear codes on any GM above a 96 model year. You cannot get flash codes in 96 and newer. Only way to clear codes is with a scan tool.

You need to go back to that shop demand your money back since they didn't fix the problem!

Go to the dealer and have them fix it. 1996 was the first year of OBD2 and evap codes. Your car computer monitors fuel vapor leaks.

Thank you both for your responses!

I have a feeling that the shop may have just disconnected the battery to get the light to turn off briefly. It came back on w/ in one day. The problem is definately not fixed.

I am also wondering if there is a real issue w/ the canister, the hoses, the valve etc. I really don't want to take it somewhere and them make me get a diagnostic for 80.00 before looking into the problem. Should I take it to the dealer and have them check the parts out?

Very simply, this code is used to indicate problems with the vapor recovery in the fuel tank. This system allows the system to recover, control, and rebiurn vapors in the tank resulting from the normal volatility of the fuel. The system, when self testing, will pull a vacuum on the tank, and using the indicated fuel level in the tank, expect a given vacuum reading in a given amount of time, indicated by a sensor in the tank. If these parameters are not met, this code will be set. GM had some problems intially with this system, mostly set by customers unaware of the gas cap not being properly reinstalled after gassing up. Other problems can occur as the vehicle ages, including hose and seal leaks, sensor failures, software problems in the computer, etc. Though a dealer's expertise is not essential to the correct repair of a problem, a thorough understanding of the system's operation is. You are entitled to a correct repair if that is what you paid for; I strongly recommend your revisiting this shop. Ray

Thank you very much Ray! I have tried to get somewhere with the initial repair shop...no luck. So I will either try to repair myself or take it to the dealer, which I am sure will be a fortune. Thanks again!

It is unfortunate that there are scheisters out there that have no regard for the customer or for doing things right the first time. You may have to resort to a small claims court suit, or a letter to the BBB. The fact that the same code reappeared after servicing indicates a poor job was done. The system can actually be requested to check the purge system by a good scanner. A good tech is priceless in such matters. I will help where I can here. Ray

This sounds like abig hassle. I hope I don' go thru the same. Check this out, I bought my Regal from a private auto sales company, and I didn't notice until I was detailing my new baby that the check engine light was colored over with a marker. Now I must fix this issue, fortunately I negotiated a 90 day extended warranty, unfortunately it's easier to find Bin Laden than to get your claims settled with these type of warranties. I hope all is well with your regal.

This sounds like abig hassle. I hope I don' go thru the same. Check this out, I bought my Regal from a private auto sales company, and I didn't notice until I was detailing my new baby that the check engine light was colored over with a marker. Now I must fix this issue, fortunately I negotiated a 90 day extended warranty, unfortunately it's easier to find Bin Laden than to get your claims settled with these type of warranties. I hope all is well with your regal.

Sorry but please check the date and DO NOT resurrect olds threads. Doesn't make any sense when the last posts are a few years old. Thread closed.


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