My emissions box fell off...

[sgvampyr]

So my check engine light came on a month or so ago, had it checked out, and it was emissions. Ok, no big deal. Well today, I pull up in my friends drive way, and he notices that what must be my emissions control box is hanging a mere inch above the road, held on only by the large tube attached to it, all the wires have snapped. So I apparently need a new wire harness and maybe a new control box too, since it's probably gotten banged up in the 24 hours it was hanging from my car without me noticing.

What I'm wondering is, are these parts expensive to replace? My friend said he can install it, I just need to be able to get the parts first. Are these things I could go get at Autozone, or would a junkyard be a better idea? Also, how bad is it for the car to be driving without the box connected? (besides getting shitty gas mileage?) I have a long commute to work :\

Thanks in advance to anybody who can give me some pointers

[GTP Dad]

First of all I have no idea what you are talking about an emissions box! Is there anyway you can take a picture of this and post it. If you mean the charcoal canister for the evaporative emissions then I can answer your question, if it is something else please explain in further detail or post a picture.

[sgvampyr]

It's a black boxy thing under the car in the back, in front of the spare tire indentation, and on the right side of the car (if you're looking at it from the back.) It's connected on the left with a big black tube, and then with a bunch of wires, as well. (or at least it WAS connected with the wires, not anymore...) That's all I know. lol My friend just said it was my emissions control box. It is probably SOMETHING emissions-related, my check engine light has been on for emissions for about a month now. And after this "thing" fell off, no new lights have come on and the car still drives fine. It might be charcoal canister, I'm not sure. It's about 6"x6"x2". I'll try and post a photo this afternoon after work if that will help. Sorry, I don't know a thing about car parts, I rely on friends and car gurus like you guys to tell me what the heck weird stuff like this is!

[GTP Dad]

If it is the charcoal canister it is not hard to replace but will cost a few bucks. I would try to get one from a wrecking yard if you can't find one at a parts store for a reasonable price. If your is dangling then you probably damaged it. The CEL is probably telling you that you have problems with the evaporative emissions part of the system probably P0440 through P0455.

The biggest issue you have is finding out why it fell out in the first place as they usually can't pull them out without some 4 letter words and skinned knuckles.

[sgvampyr]

Ok, here's some pics:

http://www.thelurkingspork.com/other/car1.jpg
http://www.thelurkingspork.com/other/car2.jpg

It's located in the rear of the car, kinda to the right side. Those pics are taken looking under the rear bumper. My friend zip-tied the "thingy" up so it at least isn't hanging down... it used to be connected with those wires above it, but they broke. I imagine that large boxy thing connected on it's left by that large hose is rather important... *sheepish* but I have no clue.

I tried doin my own research on the net, only thing I found that it MIGHT be is an air pump in the emissions system... ? But I'm a car moron, so I don't know. I just hope whatever it is is A.) cheap, and B.) easy, to replace.

Hope these pics can help somebody pin down what this is...

[GTP Dad]

Thanks for the pictures, this makes it clearer to me. The big rectangular box on the left side of the picture is the charcoal canister for the evaporative emissions control system. I am not exactly sure what the item is hanging down but it looks like the solenoid that controls the evaporative emissions system. My suggestion it to go to a wrecking yard and find one that is similar. If you have a u-pull-it yard in your area it may be easier since you can see how it is wired and you can replace it easier that way. Otherwise take it to a garage and have a mechanic look at it. The other thing to consider is why did this thing come apart in the first place. It actually looks broken from the picture!

[sgvampyr]

Thanks so much GTP Dad. My friend has a buddy at a junkyard, they said they can help me locate one for pretty cheap, hopefully.

It probably came apart in a couple ways. My emissions light has been on for a month, like I said, so it's probably been slowly coming loose, thanks to our wonderful local roads. The day before my friend saw it hangin down, I'd both driven over speed bumps (albeit very slowly, but still, it's a low car), AND spent a good six hours parked in a downtown Detroit lot in the middle of the night. So it either got ripped out by a large bump, or a bored street urchin. :\

Either way, I'm just glad you could identify it! Makes me a lot less worried. Thanks a ton