P0441 Diagnostics Code

[steel14228]

Hi All,

I've got a '97 3.3L Caravan with a P0441 Evap diagnostics code. This translates to "insufficient or excessive purge flow", according to my manual.

I thought this might point to a leak, but they have OTHER codes to indicate small and large leaks. I checked some hoses, then took a look at the purge solenoid. After letting the engine warm up (no small feat in Buffalo, NY!), I can feel the solenoid ticking, but no vacuum seems to be getting through when I pull off the outlet connection.

Do these solenoids sometimes stick shut? I hate just swapping parts out, but I don't have a lot more to check. Paying to have it done is a real crapshoot; a dealer once told me that I needed a new transmission, then I went to a grease pit that had it fixed in 1 hour for $150 (a couple burnt relays in the control box).

Any ideas, experiences would be appreciated.