2000 Chrysler Cirrus Check Engine Light Help!!!!

Hello! I have a 2000 Chrysler Cirrus and it has been a very good reliable car. I recently had the check engine light come on so I went to autozone and had a free readout. This is what came back:

Troubleshooting P1494
OEM Brand: Chrysler

Definition :

Evap Leak Detection pump pressure switch condition

Explination:

ECM detected the leak detection pump switch did not change after the solenoid was energized

Probably Causes:

1. Leak detection pump defective
2. open or shorted circuit condion
3. solenoid defective

This is driving me crazy because my car still drives fine and its holiday time and im broke! I really dont want my car to turn into a heap. My husband unplugged the battery cables and reset the light but it came back on three days after. So we know there is a problem. We took it to the shop and they wont accept anyone elses readouts and want us to shell out a ton for a diagnostic. Any ideas on what the heck could be causing this? Like I said the car is driving fine, it has always cut out once and a while when I try to accelerate.. but other than that no change. Thanks so much!!

Vanessa

 

The problem you are describing is in the part of the car emission system that collects gas vapors from the fuel tank while sitting and burns the vapors in the engine while running instead of releasing them to the atmosphere.

Relax a little because this probably isn't going to cause your car to quit on you. What the check engine light is telling you is that the system that handles the gas tank vapors isn't working properly. We're not talking fire or anything like that, the computer has just detected that the vapors aren't flowing through the hoses properly or something like that.

In your situation, why not wait till after the holidays and save a little cash back up and take it in and have it fixed. And, no, shops don't like to take the word of other mechanics, etc. They've gotten burned too many times that way.

 

Also, that's OBD-II and won't reset with battery cable removal; has to be done with a scan tool or reader. You might try stopping by an AutoZone and let them read the codes (it's free & presumeably they'll come up with the code you already have). Then have them reset it; there's an off chance it won't come back and was just a glitch. If it does need attention, as Formula said, relax and get it looked at after the holidays. Find a good independent garage that doesn't charge an arm and a leg for running the diagnostics; they're out there.

BTW, here's some deep reading on your (possible) problem:

http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl010h.htm

Although it addresses a Jeep problem, it applies to your vehicle as well (Chrysler product).

 

I'm not sure if the code might apply to a bad fuel tank cap. I had a 2000 Stratus with a similar code (something with "small leak detected") and a new cap from Pep Boys fixed it for $7.
Someone may know if the code you have might be due to a bad cap or not.

 

Yeah, I started to mention that, too, only I don't think this is the code that usually shows up for a faulty gas cap. On the other hand, for under $10, might be worth a shot.

 

This code has nothing to do with a bad fuel cap. This code refers to a problem with the Leak Detection Pump, lines, or circuitry.
Following is a Technical Service Bulletin that describes a common mistake of mis-diagnosing and replacing the LDP prematurely. I suggest you take it to a dealer when you have the extra cash. They will test the circuit and the pump as well as look for anything else that is out of place or worn.
Hope this helps ya,
Billy


During evaporative system diagnosis, Leak Detection Pumps have mistakenly been
replaced. A thorough inspection for pinched, kinked, or disconnected supply vacuum lines
(as currently listed in the Powertrain Diagnostic Procedures) is a critical step in diagnosing
DTC P1494 (LDP SW OR MECHANICAL FAULT). Additionally, the other evaporative leak
faults (DTC P0442 - SMALL LEAK, P0455 - LARGE LEAK, and P0456 - VERY SMALL
LEAK) should have the supply vacuum lines examined for pinches or kinks prior to any
LDP component replacement.
The supply vacuum lines should be checked from the engine compartment all the way to
the fuel tank, including the LDP and purge system.
NOTE: VERIFY ALL RELATED SUPPLY VACUUM LINE ROUTINGS FOR
PINCHES, KINKS, OR DISCONNECTION'S BEFORE REPLACING LDP
SYSTEM COMPONENTS.

 

Hello I wanted to come back in here and thank you all for the wonderful answers to my problem. I took my car to a mechanic today and had them do a diagnostic. Actually found a good mechanic who only charged me $50.00 and they checked out my car for about 3 hours!! That is an awesome deal. They ran a diagnostic on the p1494 code and also another one p1495 that came up. They tested the leak detection pump, solenoid circuit and found they were functioning just fine. So they cleared that code. Said they found another code of p1495 and the evap system is also functioning correctly. So they reset that too. Hopefully the light will not come back on. If it does at least I have finally found a good mechanic. The mechanic did tell me that my car needs a tune-up and a new timing belt soon. Those are extremely expensive though so have to start saving up. $480for the timing belt and 370 for the tune-up. OUCH! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Vanessa

 

You don't say how many miles are on it, Vanessa, but if you are anywhere NEAR 100,000 miles get the timing belt done AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The tune up can wait; all that's costing you is a little extra fuel. A broken timing belt, on the other hand, will not only leave you stranded when you least expect it, but will cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of $1500+ to fix. You have what is technically referred to as an "interference "engine". Mechanic's slang is "valve-bender".

More info here:

http://www.gates.com/downloads/downl...older=brochure

Go to "Free running or interference engine?"

 

Just to clarify, the Gates site lists three possible engines in the 2000 Cirrus; 2.0L SOHC, 2.4L DOHC, & 2.5L V-6. The 2.0L and 2.5L are listed as interference; the 2.4L is not. Also the 2.5L V-6 has a 60,000 mi recommended replacement.

 

Yea I will have that replaced after the holidays. He said it needs to be replaced early due to me living in Arizona and the heat is really tough on the belts. So that will come first. Should have the $480 after the holidays. My car has 80,000 miles on it. So its time for a new one. My car has been smoking and smelling strange lately. The mechanic said the radiator fluid cap was leaking. So hopefully I will replace that and the smell will go away. He also said whoever changed our oil last time spilled some on the engine so maybe that is causing it to smoke. Well im off to go dream about a maintenance free car ha ha.. Have a very Merry Christmas!

Vanessa

 

So today the check engine light came back on! I think im going to take it back and this time request they check the vacuume lines? I read an article from Chrysler that said a good portion of the time the code p1494 came up it was not the leak detection pump at all it was something to do with kinked or disconnected vacuume lines. So here I go again back to the mechanic.