Purge Solenoid or Valve
Fuel Pressure Sensor
Purge Flow Sensor
Charcoal or Vapor Canister
EVAP System Hose(s)
Powertrain Control Module
The necessary parts and tools to clear this Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) might differ depending on your vehicle's make and model. If your Check Engine light is illuminated, stop by any O’Reilly Auto Parts and get an O’Reilly VeriScan® for your car, truck, or SUV and get a detailed VeriScan report with more information about your vehicle’s Diagnostic Trouble Code(s), along with possible causes and repair solutions. If you aren’t comfortable making these repairs yourself, our parts professionals can recommend a local shop to make your repair.
OBD-II fault code P0496 means “Evaporative Emission System High Purge Flow”. This means the evaporative emissions, or EVAP system on your vehicle, which is designed to capture, store, and purge raw fuel vapors, is experiencing abnormally high purge volume. In simpler terms, fuel vapors are being purged from the system when they likely shouldn’t be, which can cause the vehicle to run rich or perform poorly.
P0496 Code Diagnosis
When you experience a P0496 diagnostic trouble code, your vehicle may be experiencing failure in one of a few areas:
- EVAP purge solenoid or valve
- EVAP fuel pressure sensor
- EVAP system hose
- Powertrain Control Module (PCM) failure
- Shorted wire/poor electrical connection
- Purge flow sensor
- Charcoal canister
P0496 OBD-II Code Symptoms
Aside from a Check Engine light, you may notice performance problems, black smoke from your tailpipe, or poor fuel economy.
Additional symptoms of a P0496 Code can include:
- Check Engine light
- Decreased engine performance
- Trouble starting the vehicle
Even though your vehicle will still run and you may not even notice any symptoms, it’s important to have this code diagnosed as soon as possible to avoid more serious issues down the road.
