[TullyMars]

Hello All,
Thanks so much for the input. Dfelt75... printed out the Driving Cycle instructions and did this morning. Pretty much the same except the other one said in the second 5 min. drive you must come to a complete stop... not the 20 MPH. Thanks for that info. So, after doing the best I could.. I really think I was able to satisfy everything... The only thing was that on my way to the freeway I got a "Tighten gas Cap" message. So I pulled over and reset the gas cap.... Cycled thru my Vehicle info. options.. and the message went away.
I pulled into a drive thru car wash and checked. Alright at least the P263a is gone but EVAP system monitor is still incomplete. Damn.

So, I drove home and reran the check. Well Shit. the P263a is back AND P0455! So, now it must be in the EVAP system... for sure. And to me.. the likely suspect is the EVAP Purge Valve that installed last DEC. Is it defective already? My next step I think is to pull it out and test it. Found a procedure that should be able to do out there on the internets. Purge valve, how it works, symptoms, problems, testing

 

[TullyMars]

Purge valve is normally closed. Simple test is to remove the vacuum line and replace with ~12" pc. of scrap vac. hose. You should not be able to blow/suck through the sampling hose. If you can, replace the valve as it has failed open. The vent valve, back under the fuel filler pipe, is normally open.

Hey Sheila,
Purge Valve at the Manifold is normally closed? I thought the function was that once the engine got to a certain temperature.. or other factors.. the valve opens up allowing the stored vapors to be drawn in. And it continues to open and close to allow for these vapors to be burned .. continually. I also assume that the VENT solenoid also opens then to allow for the vapors to sucked in....
I will try your Test! Thanks!

 

[TullyMars]

Hello All,
Yesterday I decided to test my purge valve solenoid per Sheila's suggestion. But what I found was that the hose was not fully on the device. I replaced it last December... so it certainly was not the equipment. It was the operator (me).
So, I secured the hose properly this time and drove around the block to where I normally park. Checked my codes... and damn.. the P0455 and P263a were gone. So I am thinking.. do a drive cycle in the morning and I should be good. Should be able to get the EVAP monitor to "Ready".
Did the drive cycle this morning. Actually have figured out a route where I can do it reasonably safely. Finished it.. and decided to get some gas as I was approaching the magical 30% full tank thing. Damn .. both codes were back. #$%^&$%^^%^ !! Put the gas in and drove home. Checked again. And the codes were gone but the EVAP was still not ready.

So.. I will do another drive cycle tomorrow.... and see. Does anybody know exactly HOW MANY full drive cycles are needed for the EVAP monitor to be ready?

 

[TullyMars]

An update for anybody who might be interested. After trying to get rid of the two codes for a couple of days my Code Reader is now not functioning properly. Foxwell NT200. Zero live support. I made the mistake of trying to update the firmware to make sure IT WAS WORKING RIGHT. But instead.. I screwed it up. I hate to buy another one but you really need one if you are going to work on these cars.

Well my codes came back.... P0455 and P263a. So, I tested the purge valve solenoid and it could not hold a vacuum. So even though it is only 10 months / 1000 miles old it appears to have failed. So, I went out and bought from the FLAPS a new BWD one (Made in USA). Twice as much as the cheapo Chinese one that got online at about 40 bucks. But they say it has a Limited Lifetime warranty...what ever that means.

Installed it and cleared the codes... Did a Drive Cycle this morning and no Codes. Also still have 3 monitors "Not Ready/Incomplete. So I will do another drive cycle tonight and one in the morning and see if we can get this thing ready. What a pain.

 

[TullyMars]

An update for anybody who might be interested. After trying to get rid of the two codes for a couple of days my Code Reader is now not functioning properly. Foxwell NT200. Zero live support. I made the mistake of trying to update the firmware to make sure IT WAS WORKING RIGHT. But instead.. I screwed it up. I hate to buy another one but you really need one if you are going to work on these cars.

Well my codes came back.... P0455 and P263a. So, I tested the purge valve solenoid and it could not hold a vacuum. So even though it is only 10 months / 1000 miles old it appears to have failed. So, I went out and bought from the FLAPS a new BVD one. Twice as much as the cheapo Chinese one that got online at about 40 bucks. But they say it has a Limited Lifetime warranty...what ever that means.

 

[TullyMars]

^+1. The original AC Delco purge valve on your '13 was a Bosch made in Mexico one, lol! Did you get a BWD (Borg-Warner) or BVD? BWD is a good brand, haven't heard of BVD.

Yeah.. I mis typed. It is BWD not BVD. I lived in Baja for a few years and had some friends who worked in the Maquiladoras. Generally these plants are managed with US Engineers and managers using US Machine tools etc. So, I would definitely choose an Assembled in Mexico item over a made in China item.

P0455 gone. Doing drive cycles to get ready.. Still have a P263a popping up.. but reader says no codes and the Check Engine light is not on. Although it does come on momentarily upon acceleration.

Guess I am going have to take it in to a shop. Grrrr...

 

[TullyMars]

Final Report. My Impala PASSED Emissions test today. So, since I replaced the EVAP Purge Valve and cleared the codes, I did FIVE full Drive Cycles according to the GM criteria posted here earlier and it did appear that all my monitors were ready. No Check Engine Lights. Took it in first thing this morning and Hallelujah..... Passed.