Emissions

P0445 — EVAP Purge Control Valve Circuit Shorted

Severity: low Safe to drive

What P0445 means

The engine control module drives a purge solenoid that lets fuel vapor from the charcoal canister be drawn into the intake and burned. P0445 is set when the module sees a short to ground or to power in that valve's control circuit, so it can't operate the valve properly.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Failed emissions test or incomplete readiness monitors
  • Rough idle
  • Hard starting after refueling
  • Fuel vapor smell

Possible causes

  1. Short to ground or to power in the purge valve wiring
  2. Internally shorted purge valve solenoid
  3. Corroded or damaged valve connector
  4. Chafed wiring insulation near brackets or hot components
  5. Failed driver circuit in the PCM (rare)

How to diagnose

  1. Scan for codes, record freeze frame data, clear the code and see if it returns
  2. Inspect the purge valve connector and harness for corrosion, chafing or heat damage
  3. Measure the valve coil resistance and compare it with the manufacturer spec
  4. Check the circuit for a short to ground and to power with the connector unplugged
  5. Check for power and the control signal at the connector while commanding the valve with a scan tool
  6. Command the valve with a scan tool and listen for a click
  7. Check that the valve doesn't pass vacuum when de-energized
  8. If wiring and valve are good, test the PCM driver

Common fixes

  • Replace the purge control valve
  • Repair shorted wiring and restore insulation
  • Replace or clean a corroded connector
  • Repair or replace the PCM (rare)

Questions and answers

Can I drive with a P0445 code?

Usually yes, since it doesn't affect safety. Still, fix it soon to avoid emissions problems and possible hard starts after refueling.

What most often causes P0445?

Most often it's a purge valve with a shorted coil, or damaged wiring and connectors. Start by inspecting the harness and measuring the valve resistance.

Will a new gas cap fix P0445?

No. P0445 is an electrical circuit fault, not a leak. A loose gas cap is tied to leak codes such as P0455.

This is general information about the code. The meaning can differ between makes and models: a scan tool and the repair manual for your car will show the exact cause.