P0443

EVAP System Purge Control Valve A Circuit

Evaporative emissions (EVAP) Generic OBD-II Low

What it means

P0443 means the engine control module detected an electrical fault in the circuit for the EVAP purge control valve — the solenoid that lets stored fuel vapors flow from the charcoal canister into the engine to be burned. It's an emissions-system fault, so the car drives normally; the practical effects are a check-engine light and a failed emissions test until the valve or its wiring is fixed.

Low

Can I keep driving? Yes — the car drives normally. This is an emissions circuit fault, so the main consequences are a warning light and a failed emissions test.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

4,273

scans in the past year

Found in

0.7%

of scans

1.2%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0443 scans

P0420in 11.9% of scans

P0300in 11.6% of scans

P0301in 10.2% of scans

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Will fail an emissions/smog test
Usually no change in how the car drives
Occasional rough idle if the purge valve is stuck open (acts like a vacuum leak)

Common causes

Most likely first

Failed purge control valve solenoid (electrically open or shorted)Likely
Damaged wiring or a corroded connector at the purge valveCommon
Open or shorted purge control circuit back to the ECMCommon
Failed engine control module (rare)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and locate the purge control valve (usually on or near the intake).
Inspect the valve's connector and wiring for corrosion, damage, or looseness.
Measure the purge valve solenoid resistance and compare against spec.
Check the control circuit for an open or short to the ECM.
Replace the purge valve if it's out of spec, then clear the code and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0443?+

Yes. It's an emissions fault with no real effect on how the car runs, though a purge valve stuck open can cause a rough idle. Repair it to pass emissions.

Can I just clear P0443?+

It will come back the next time the ECM checks the purge circuit unless the valve or its wiring is actually repaired.

Read & clear P0443 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX