Questions and Answers
Mustang DTC P1443
Q. Hello Vincent, I have a 1997 Ford Mustang with a 3.8 liter V-6, standard transmission, 44,000 miles, fuel injected, P/S, air conditioning. The check engine light came on intermittently during the last six months and now stays on full time.
After going through my Chilton's manual for this vehicle, I surmised the problem was one of the oxygen sensors. Which one (of four) I didn't know. A local auto parts store was advertising that they would perform a free check engine diagnosis. I went there today and the code that came up was P1443. Their system said that meant the Evaporative Emission Control System Valve. They did not have a clue as what to do (probably didn't stock the part, anyway).
Per the OBD II diagnostic codes given on your web page, for Fords it says 'Small or no purge flow condition' and for Mazda it says Evaporative emission Control system. Can you determine if your web page codes are correct and what I can do to correct this? What exactly does the Small or no purge flow condition mean?
A. Most OBD-II DTCs above P1000 are for specific makes and models of cars. So, in this case, the P1443 for Ford means something different then it does for a Mazda. That's why both are listed. There are many more and I am adding them as time permits, but it is a big job for just one person.
But that's my problem, let's get back to yours. The Evaporative Emission (EVAP) canister purge valve is in-line with the evaporative emissions canister and controls the flow of fuel vapors out of the evaporative emissions canister. The EVAP canister purge valve is normally closed. When the engine is shut OFF, vapors from the fuel tank flow into the evaporative emissions canister. After the engine is started, the evaporative emission canister purge valve is engaged and opens, purging the fuel vapors into the engine. With the evaporative emission canister purge valve open, vapors from the fuel tank are routed directly into the engine.
The P1443 can be caused by a blocked, disconnected or damaged vacuum lines between the purge valve and the intake manifold. It could be a pinched vapor line between the fuel tank and EVAP valve. It could be a bad EVAP valve or a bad PCM. You can check everything except the PCM without a scan tool, but to check the actual control system, you do need a scan tool.
The gas cap could also be loose, that would be the first thing to check.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
