EVAP System Purge Control Valve A Circuit Open
What it means
P0444 means the ECM detected an open electrical circuit to the evaporative-emissions (EVAP) purge control valve — the valve that lets stored fuel vapor be drawn from the charcoal canister into the intake. "Open" points to a broken wire, bad connector, or a failed solenoid winding rather than a problem with how the engine runs. The car drives normally, but it will trip the check-engine light and fail an emissions test until repaired.
Can I keep driving? Safe to drive — this is an emissions-circuit fault with usually no change in how the car runs; fix it to pass an emissions test.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on (often the only sign)
- Failed emissions/readiness test
- Rarely, a faint fuel-vapor smell
- Generally no noticeable change in how the car drives
Common causes
Most likely first
- Open circuit in the purge valve wiring or connector — most common for this codeLikely
- Failed purge control valve/solenoid (open winding)Common
- Corroded or disconnected purge valve connectorCommon
- Failed purge-valve driver in the ECM (rare)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Inspect the purge valve connector and wiring for a break, corrosion, or a loose pin — the typical cause of an open circuit.
- Measure the purge solenoid's resistance; an open reading means a failed valve.
- Confirm the ECM is providing power/ground to the circuit.
- Replace the purge valve if its winding is open, then clear and re-run the EVAP monitor.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0444?+
Can I just clear P0444?+
Related codes
Often seen with P0444
Read & clear P0444 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.