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Originally Posted by psint
A friend of mine took her Matrix to the dealer two weeks ago for a check engine light. These are the codes they found. They said they checked all the valves and at the time they were working. They said that possibly the gas cap had been left loose in the past but it was tight when they checked it. The light was reset and they sent her on her way. It has since come on again. I haven't had the opportunity to put a scan tool on it again to see if it's throwing the same codes. Assuming the codes are the same, what components going bad would produce such a code ?
PO440 - Evaporative Emission Control System Malfunction
PO441 - Evaporative Emission Control System Incorrect Purge Flow
PO446 - Evaporative Emission Control Vent Control Circuit Malfunction.
Where do I go from here ? Pretty general diagnosis. Is there a publication that will provide some direction for these codes ? 
I can imagine there's somebody out there with knowlege of a common problem that would throw those codes. She took it to the dealer and they reset it several weeks ago. Check Engine light is on again. The gas cap is tight.  HELP !!
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Psint,
I have found (Toyota) Techncal Service Bulletin in this Forum for that vehcile and those codes (except not specific on P0446). Attached it FYI.
I find the TSB too specific using their test equipment, but at least something to have. With all three codes the problem is usually major EVAP sysem leak (will not hold vacuum at all). Could be the gas cap; at $8 from NAPA, everyone must try that first. Didn't Dealer sell your friend one? If not that is good sign (or trick?).
Anyway, there are two (2) ECU electric controlled valves right under hood near Air Cleaner. The Purge valve passes mimtake vacuum to the hose leading to back to the Carbon Canister; the ohter Cansiter Closed Valve is the return vapor line back to the engine intake (to burn captured gasoline vapors). These and the connecting hoses are first place to look for disconnect/leak. But if Dealer said OK, then not easy to find or fix. The other more problematic Vacuum Switching Valve (VSV) is located on Carbon Canister located above rear axle-beam. The Carbon Canister is so difficult to test or maintain on the car. Many hoses and connections and valves (especially VSV) that can be leak point. As another Forum member says, a smoke injection test would be simple and show where big leak is. But of course Dealer's would never do anything simple. No $ in that.
FYI, I have 2000 Corolla with only Code P0446, and will probably have to have dealer replace complete Carbon Canister for about $400. From other postings on Internet, better be aware that some Dealers just swap parts and charge much, but CEL still comes on. Worse case I've read about is the ECM is defective and must be replaced. Also re4ad somewhere that Toyota can/does reporgram the ECU to cure false problem report. Check Fed. Warranty on Toyota EVAP and major components; seems some have 8yr/80k mi, but Toyota does not volunteer anything!!! Others on Internet swear Toyota is hiding known defects and they are petitioning Feds for recall. The more you read, the more confusing it all becomes.
BTW, as long as runs OK then only a problem if must have Emmissions Inspection performed, then that is critical event to consider.
Good Luck with Dealer,
DiyEdd
2003 Matrix Check Engine Light
Re: 2003 Matrix Check Engine Light
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