EVAP Purge Solenoid Tests -P0441, P0443 (2001-2007 3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan)

In this tutorial, I'm gonna walk you through bench testing the EVAP purge solenoid on your 2001-2007 Chrysler, Dodge, or Plymouth minivan with a 3.3L V6 engine —using some jumper wires and no scan tool.

I'm also gonna cover how the solenoid works, why it fails, and common symptoms of a failed solenoid —like P0441 or P0443 diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)— before spending money on new parts.

Don't worry, testing the EVAP purge solenoid is a pretty straightforward thing that you can do with basic tools —so let's get started!

APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:

• 3.3L V6 Chrysler Town & Country: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.
• 3.3L V6 Chrysler Voyager: 2001, 2002, 2003.
• 3.3L V6 Dodge Caravan: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.
• 3.3L V6 Dodge Grand Caravan: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.

EVAP SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAM:

• EVAP System Wiring Diagram (2001-2002 3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan).
• EVAP System Wiring Diagram (2003-2007 3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan).

OTHER EVAP PURGE SOLENOID TUTORIALS:

• EVAP Purge Solenoid Tests -P0441, P0443 (1996-1998 3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan).
• EVAP Purge Solenoid Tests -P0441, P0443 (1998-2000 3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan).

What The EVAP Purge Solenoid Does

The EVAP purge solenoid plays an important role in the emissions system of your 2001-2007 3.3L V6 minivan's engine. To successfully diagnose an EVAP system failure, it's important to understand what it does.

In a nutshell, the EVAP system's job is to make sure raw fuel vapors don't escape into the atmosphere, but instead get burned inside the engine.

To be a bit more specific, the vapors that gasoline gives off while sloshing around in the gas tank are captured and stored in a charcoal canister. When the conditions are right, the PCM signals the purge solenoid to open —allowing engine vacuum to draw those vapors through a hose into the intake manifold.

The flow path looks like this:

• Gasoline vapors → Charcoal Canister → Purge Solenoid (inlet port).
• Purge Solenoid (outlet port) → Throttle Body → Engine Combustion.

If the purge solenoid sticks (open or closed), or if the solenoid circuit fails electrically, the PCM detects the problem and sets one or both of these codes: P0441 or P0443.

In short, the EVAP purge solenoid is a simple ON/OFF electronic valve —and understanding this is key to diagnosing and solving EVAP-related trouble codes (caused by its failure) on these minivans.

What Causes A Purge Solenoid To Fail?

If you're troubleshooting an EVAP system fault —P0441 or P0443— it helps to know what typically goes wrong with these purge solenoids over time. Here are a few of the most common failure points I've seen on the 2001-2007 3.3L minivans:

• Valve stuck open or closed: Dirt, fuel residue, and age can cause the internal valve to stick —either allowing too much flow or blocking it completely. This usually triggers a P0441.
• Electrical failure: The solenoid coil can burn out, or wiring/connectors can corrode or break —causing a P0443 code.
• Leaking or damaged vacuum line or connectors: The vacuum line to the purge solenoid is plastic, with a short rubber connector at each end to attach it to the solenoid port and the intake manifold. If either the plastic line is cracked, or the rubber connectors are loose or leaking, it can easily trigger a P0441 —even if the solenoid itself is working fine.

Symptoms Of A Bad EVAP Purge Solenoid

A bad purge solenoid can sometimes cause obvious symptoms, and other times, the minivan runs perfectly fine with only a Check Engine Light for warning.

Here's what to watch for when diagnosing P0441 or P0443 codes:

• Check Engine Light ON —often the first and only clue.
• Stored trouble codes:
  • P0441: EVAP System Flow Problem.
  • P0443: Electrical Fault In Purge Solenoid Circuit.

In some cases, you may also notice:

• Engine stumbles slightly at idle.
• Hard to start after filling the gas tank.

Since the symptoms can be subtle —or even non-existent— it's always worth performing a quick purge solenoid test when these EVAP codes appear.

TEST 1: Checking The EVAP Hoses

Before pulling the purge solenoid to bench test it, take a minute to inspect the two lines connected to it. On these 2001-2007 minivans, the condition of these lines is a very common source of P0441 codes.

Here's the basic setup:

• One hose brings vapors from the charcoal canister to the solenoid.
• The other hose routes vapors into the intake manifold when the solenoid opens.

If either line or its rubber connectors develops cracks or loses its seal at the solenoid ports, it can trigger an EVAP trouble code —even though the solenoid itself is fine.

Be sure to check for:

• Cracks or splits caused by heat and age.
• Loose-fitting ends —the line's rubber connector should grip the solenoid ports firmly.
• Any soft spots, pinholes, or wear along the rubber connector or plastic line.
• Verify that the vacuum supply line delivers strong vacuum with the engine running —no vacuum here will cause flow faults, even with a good solenoid.

Don't skip this step —many false P0441 codes are simply caused by worn or damaged plastic lines, not a bad solenoid.

TEST 2: Bench Testing The EVAP Purge Solenoid (No Scan Tool Needed)

Bench testing the EVAP purge solenoid on your 2001-2007 minivan is a pretty easy task, and it can be done without a bi-directional scan tool (to open or close the solenoid).

All you'll need is a 12 Volt power source (we'll use your minivan's battery), two jumper wires with insulated alligator clips, and a piece of vacuum hose.

One last thing —before you remove the solenoid from the engine compartment, it's a good idea to label the plastic lines that connect to it so they go back in the right spot, and note its orientation so you don't reinstall it upside down (there are arrow marks on the body that show which way is up).

Ready? Here's what to do:

PART 1: Electrical test:

1. Remove the EVAP purge solenoid.
2. Run one jumper wire from terminal 2 to the battery's positive (+) post.
   • NOTE: Use insulated jumper wires to avoid shorts.
   • 10 Pc. And 5 Color Insulated Alligator Clips (at: amazon.com).
3. Connect the other jumper from terminal 1 to battery negative (-).
4. When making the last connection (to battery Ground), you should hear a clear "click" sound —that's the solenoid valve opening.
5. Remove the Ground wire —you should hear another "click" as it closes.

PART 2: Airflow check:

1. Connect a vacuum hose to the solenoid's outlet port.
2. Apply power and Ground to the solenoid.
3. Blow air into the hose:
   • It should flow freely.
4. De-energize the solenoid:
   • Airflow should stop —the valve should fully block it.

If there's no click —or if airflow is incorrect— the solenoid is faulty and should be replaced to correct the P0441 or P0443 EVAP codes.

These are the EVAP purge solenoids I recommend:

• Standard Motors CP428 Canister Purge Solenoid (at: amazon.com).
• Dorman 911-202 Vapor Canister Purge Valve (at: amazon.com).

Solenoid Tests Good —But P0441 Or P0443 Keeps Coming Back

If your purge solenoid passed the bench test and your hoses/lines are in great shape —but that pesky P0441 or P0443 won't go away— here are the next things to check on your minivan:

1. Recheck hose connections: Swapping the purge inlet and outlet hoses is easy to do —check that they are connected to the right port on the solenoid.

2. Confirm vacuum source: Start the engine and verify vacuum is present at the VAC port hose of the solenoid. No vacuum? The vacuum line may be blocked or leaking —which can cause P0441.

3. Inspect the connector and wiring harness: Even if the solenoid clicks fine on the bench, a broken connector or wiring problems can still cause P0443 when installed in the vehicle.

4. Inspect the line to the charcoal canister: Follow the plastic vapor line from the purge solenoid to the charcoal canister:

• Confirm the line is fully seated and makes a tight seal at the canister port.
• Inspect the entire length for cracks or any other damage that can cause a vapor leak.
• Disconnect both ends and blow air through the line to check for obstructions. If the canister is breaking down internally, those charcoal bits can flow into the line and clog it and block flow.

5. Check the charcoal canister itself: Visually inspect the canister for any signs of damage, such as cracks or broken fittings.

If these areas all check out, and the code comes back, the next step is to test the rest of the EVAP system —such as the leak detection pump, which can also trigger these fault codes on your minivan.

More 3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan Tutorials

You can find a complete list of tutorials in this index:

• 3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan Index Of Articles.

Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:

• How To Test The MAP Sensor (2001-2004 3.3L V6 Chrysler And Dodge Minivan).
• How To Test The Alternator (2001-2007 3.3L Chrysler).
• How To Test Engine Compression (1991-2010 3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth Minivan).
• How To Check For Vacuum Leaks: Carb Cleaner Spray (1991-2010 3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan).