Engine Pending P0442...

fix it first then pull the plug

Pending P0442...

It's an evaporative emissions code.

I left in my car this morning, it was 31ºF and this car always idles a little strange in cold weather. However, I drove for a few minutes, the temp gauge was still @ C, pulled up to a stop sign, stopped and the engine was idling @ like 600rpm and REALLY harsh...like it was missing (well, it was misfiring, I believe).

Drove to my destination (another 10 minutes), pulled up into the driveway (coolant temp was 180ºF...almost completely warmed up since 185ºF is the norm for my car)), idle seemed a little rough, but nothing like it was.

However....I idled the engine and watched the long-term fuel trim spike up from 7% to 16% @ idle and I have a pending P0442 code, which it said was an evaporative emissions leak (small leak).

What yall make of that?

I think it's time to pull the plug and reboot the ECU.

Trav

make sure you have a good gas cap most of the time evap codes are a bad charcoal canister or bad or open gas cap, remember three clicks.

Well, I don't know what the problem was, as it isn't doing this anymore.

I went out again later in the day, and after warming the engine up, I let it idle for a minute. The fuel trim had risen to 16% @ idle, but after idling for just a minute, it quickly backed itself down to around 4% @ idle. Whatever the problem was, it's gone. The pending code still shows, but it's still pending and not active and will probably not happen again. Who knows what it was...

I've had a CEL from a loose gas cap - it doesn't cause the bizarre idling when cold like my car did, and it also shows 3 active codes, P0440, 0442, and 0443. The fuel trims didn't go all screwy like they did, either.

Trav

It's a 2003 Corolla CE 5-spd. What sensor are you thinking it might be??

Late,
Trav

what year is your car? probably a bad ect sensor buddy.

I have a 2001 and I've had that code pop up at least 7 times. I've brought it to the dealership and the first two times they supposedly fixed it at no charge. The third time they replaced the charcoal canister at no charge. Then the fouth time they wanted to charge me $75.00 for a diagnostic. I refused to pay the fee since they were aware of the persistent problem. Every other time it has popped up I've restarted the ECU and within three months it is back. I've replaced the gas cap and ensure the cap is properly closed after I fill up. I am getting fed up. I am sure you are not the only person with this problem.

i'm getting this engine code.. let me know what you find out