99 Problems

I'm not sure what's wrong, but my check engine light has been on for almost a year now and everyone tells me something different. The car runs OK, but I'm tired of getting different answers about what's wrong.
The guy at AutoZone checked it for codes and came back with
PO440: Evaporative Emmission Control System Malfunction. No one there was sure what would cause that problem. They told me I may need to get a tune up and a new oxygen sensor. I'm not sure about that because I had it in the shop last July to have the first cylinder replaced and I told him to fix anything else and he just gave me a new gas cap. I would think that if it I needed so much more, he would have said something(?). My car has a 2.2L engine and has approx. 52,500 miles. Please help!

I'm not sure what's wrong, but my check engine light has been on for almost a year now and everyone tells me something different. The car runs OK, but I'm tired of getting different answers about what's wrong.
The guy at AutoZone checked it for codes and came back with
PO440: Evaporative Emmission Control System Malfunction. No one there was sure what would cause that problem. They told me I may need to get a tune up and a new oxygen sensor. I'm not sure about that because I had it in the shop last July to have the first cylinder replaced and I told him to fix anything else and he just gave me a new gas cap. I would think that if it I needed so much more, he would have said something(?). My car has a 2.2L engine and has approx. 52,500 miles. Please help!

P0440 is a large leak in the EVAP system..alot of people call this the "gas cap code"
A tune-up and O2 sensor will not fix the problem.
What has happend is the PCM (computer) has seen a leak in the EVAP sytem and has turned on the light.
Here is how the PCM runs the test
The evaporative emission (EVAP) system is checked by applying vacuum to the EVAP system and by monitoring for a vacuum decay. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) monitors the vacuum level through the fuel tank pressure sensor signal. At an appropriate time, the EVAP canister purge valve and the EVAP vent solenoid are turned ON, allowing the engine to draw a small vacuum on the entire evaporative emission system. After the desired vacuum level has been achieved, the EVAP canister purge valve will turn OFF, sealing the system. DTC P0440 will set because the PCM is not detecting the expected vacuum. This can be caused by the following components with the conditions listed below:

The fuel cap for the following conditions:
Missing
Malfunctioning
Incorrect
The fuel tank pressure sensor for the following conditions:
Disconnected
Malfunctioning
The EVAP purge line for the following conditions:
Disconnected
Damaged
Pinched
Blocked
The EVAP vent hose for the following conditions:
Disconnected
Damaged
The fuel tank vapor line for the following conditions:
Disconnected
Damaged
Pinched
Blocked
The EVAP canister purge solenoid valve for the following conditions:
Disconnected
Malfunctioning
The EVAP vent solenoid for the following conditions:
Disconnected
Malfunctioning
An open ignition feed circuit to the following components:
EVAP vent valve
Purge solenoid
A damaged EVAP canister
A leaking fuel sender assembly O-ring
A leak in the following items:
Fuel tank
Fuel filler neck


I would recommend taking your car to the dealer and have them diagnos the problem, the dealer has the tools necessary to diagnos the EVAP system properly and repair your problem.

Sidenote to anyone who reads this...If you have read any of my posts, you will know that I only recommend Dealers in extreme cases and If I do recommend you taking your car to a technician, I recommend taking it to a well trained and trusworty one..lets not start a dealer flame on this thread.

P0440 is a large leak in the EVAP system..alot of people call this the "gas cap code"
A tune-up and O2 sensor will not fix the problem.
What has happend is the PCM (computer) has seen a leak in the EVAP sytem and has turned on the light.
Here is how the PCM runs the test
The evaporative emission (EVAP) system is checked by applying vacuum to the EVAP system and by monitoring for a vacuum decay. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) monitors the vacuum level through the fuel tank pressure sensor signal. At an appropriate time, the EVAP canister purge valve and the EVAP vent solenoid are turned ON, allowing the engine to draw a small vacuum on the entire evaporative emission system. After the desired vacuum level has been achieved, the EVAP canister purge valve will turn OFF, sealing the system. DTC P0440 will set because the PCM is not detecting the expected vacuum. This can be caused by the following components with the conditions listed below:

The fuel cap for the following conditions:
Missing
Malfunctioning
Incorrect
The fuel tank pressure sensor for the following conditions:
Disconnected
Malfunctioning
The EVAP purge line for the following conditions:
Disconnected
Damaged
Pinched
Blocked
The EVAP vent hose for the following conditions:
Disconnected
Damaged
The fuel tank vapor line for the following conditions:
Disconnected
Damaged
Pinched
Blocked
The EVAP canister purge solenoid valve for the following conditions:
Disconnected
Malfunctioning
The EVAP vent solenoid for the following conditions:
Disconnected
Malfunctioning
An open ignition feed circuit to the following components:
EVAP vent valve
Purge solenoid
A damaged EVAP canister
A leaking fuel sender assembly O-ring
A leak in the following items:
Fuel tank
Fuel filler neck


I would recommend taking your car to the dealer and have them diagnos the problem, the dealer has the tools necessary to diagnos the EVAP system properly and repair your problem.

Sidenote to anyone who reads this...If you have read any of my posts, you will know that I only recommend Dealers in extreme cases and If I do recommend you taking your car to a technician, I recommend taking it to a well trained and trusworty one..lets not start a dealer flame on this thread.


Hey, I live out here in the middle of nowhere. The other day my '99 2.2L 4sp-auto Cavalier started missing and surging after hitting a pretty severe bump. It would still run, just a lot like riding a pissed off horse.
Anyhow, I got out and checked under the hood, and there is a fuse block assembly on the drivers side wheel well, above the tire - in front of the strut. Opened this up and the 40amp fuse for the ABS system was sticking up about 45 degrees...still making contact (but corroded and not in very good shape visually). Pushed it back into the fuse assembly and it fixed the surging and bucking.
Question is this: What all goes thru the ABS fuse there and why, in your opinion, do you think it could cause this kind of symptom (if i didn't explain the symptom correct, think about an engine that has just gotten wet and is sputtering a little-thats what it did)

Thanks in advance for reply.