Q: my emissions service light is on and car stalls

asked by on January 02, 2017

My service emissions light came on and engine stalled but starts and stalls again could this be the gas cap

My car has 172000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Evaporation Vent Solenoid Replacement $127.55 - $417.61 Get a Quote

Hi There, Your car has a small purge valve called a purge solenoid that controls the venting of fumes from the fuel tank as these fumes build up inside, particularly when you are refueling the car with gas. The EVAP system prevents fuel vapors from the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere. The EVAP system collects and temporarily stores the fuel vapors in the charcoal canister. The charcoal canister is filled with activated carbon pellets that can absorb the fuel vapors. When the engine is running, the fuel vapors are purged from the canister and burned in the engine. The vent control valve (solenoid) controls the flow of outside air in and out of the charcoal canister. The vent valve is controlled by the engine computer (PCM). Normally the vent valve is open. It closes when the engine computer tests the EVAP system for leaks. If a leak in the EVAP system is detected, the Check Engine light will illuminate on the dash and the trouble code related to the problem will be stored in the engine computer. When an air leak is present in the EVAP system, the MAP sensor will not be able to determine the air density, and the MAF sensor will not be able to determine the volume of air, entering the engine correctly. This will lead to an over fueling situation or an under fueling situation depending on the size of the air leak and engine operating speeds and load. This may eventually lead to catalytic converter problems as well as misfiring problems. I would recommend having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Advice on which weight of oil to use
Your car calls for 10w30 oil. The 10w is the winter grade that is blended with the 30 weight oil. The oil 5w30 will be a good replacement and should be compatible with your car. I would not go to...
My van was missing and rough idling then I turned it off one day and the next day it starts then dies and some times it won't start
Hello, thanks for writing in about your 2001 Dodge Caravan. For certain, given your mileage and codes for these 2 components, replacing these 2 sensors is the minimum. Cleaning the idle air control valve, throttle body (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clean-throttle-body), and PCV valve...
My car is overheating and coolant is leaking
This may suggest a blown head gasket. When this happens, the cylinder head gasket fails which can cause coolant to leak into the combustion chamber causing it to be ignited with the fuel. This is what causes the light colored...
Getting too much gas and it's flooding out through the cylinder
Hi and thanks for contacting YourMechanic. If fuel is coming out of the exhaust pipe, then the fuel is not being burnt. Check the spark plugs and wires to make sure that they are not burned. If the spark plugs...
Sugar in the gas tank
The first thing that has to happen is the fuel tank has to come out of the car and be thoroughly cleaned. The fuel pump, which lives inside the tank will need to be replaced. Your car may have an...
99 Durango 5.9 46re replaced gov pressure solenoid still in limp mode. What do I do next?
Hi Jaunny. After you complete repairs, the error code that is causing the limp mode needs to be removed by a professional mechanic. Set up a warning light inspection (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/warning-light-is-on-inspection) and one of our mobile mechanics can help you out....
When i replace my radiator can i remove the condenser without replacing it and still drive my car with no problems? I
Hi Courtney. Thanks for contacting us today. I wouldn't recommend removing the condenser until you have the money to replace it. Everything is designed to fit correctly together. When you remove one component, other items will not work or fit...
Truck won't turn on, battery 4 months old, I need to jump start it but the battery isn't all the way dead, just needs an extra pus
There are three basic possibilities and they could occur all be present to a degree: 1) the vehicle has a phantom load that is discharging the battery; 2) the starting circuit has high resistance; and/or 3) the charging circuit is...
I have a 2013 Nissan Altima with a 2.5l does it require synthetic or conventional oil??
According to the 2013 Altima Owner's Manual (https://www.nissanusa.com/content/dam/nissan/pdf/techpubs/altima/2013/2013-altima-sedan-owner-manual.pdf), you can use either conventional or synthetic oil in the Altima. Just be sure to use the correct viscosity and only oil that meets Nissan's quality (certification) requirements. See page 9-6 of...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy for First Time Car Owners
Owning Owning your very first car is an exciting time in a person’s life. Likely you want to put a lot of thought and research into the process to ensure you get something that meets your needs, is fun to...
The Best Used Cars to Buy For Fuel Economy
Saving money on gas is an important factor to consider when buying a car. The Honda Civic, Toyota Prius, and Ford Fusion all have great fuel economy.
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re an Electrician
As As an electrician, you have to haul around wiring, tools and equipment, and tons of supplies. You can’t get by with a small used car, or even a big one. What you probably need is a good used cargo...