P0441 and P0455 codes

TexasA&M

New member
Wife was driving yesterday and the check engine light came on, along with the TSC and VSC lights. Checked the codes, and it's showing a P0441 and P0455. I reset them, but they come back on instantly. Checked the gas cap and it's on tight (reset the codes after checking as well). Inspected less than a month ago and everything passed (emissions-wise).

Can I troubleshoot this thing without hooking it up to a computer? Where should I start looking? Any chance this could be covered under the emissions warranty?

2005 4Runner V8 4WD Sport Edition with 55k miles on it.
 
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I had the same codes (with check engine and TCS dash lights) a couple of months ago on my 2007 4runner.. My private mechanic checked them out then and guessed that I must have not put the gas cap on tight. He cleared them and I've run fine until yesterday. They came back again. Autozone read the codes - 0441 and 0455 - so I just made a service appointment for next week.

Meanwhile, I filled up with gas, checked the gas cap, and wanted to try clearing the codes (to see if they come back or not). Autozone (in NJ) will not clear them (they say they aren't allowed to).

Two knowledgeable people also told me not to disconnect the battery because some other engine computer will lose memory of the fuel mixture and the car will run rough. And one other person advised to pull the EFI fuse, but that is not listed on my fuse box panel. So, I'm stuck, too.....
 
Not sure why, but my code reader wasn't actually clearing the codes (even though it said it was). I disconnected the battery overnight and the engine lights are gone... for now. The gas cap was loose when I first checked it, so I am hoping that is the issue. Now that the computer has been reset, I guess it's a waiting game to see if the codes come back.

You can disconnect the battery without any worries... if the computer did lost memory on fuel mixture (I don't think it does), it will relearn it. Otherwise, what would happen every time you had a dead battery?
 
I may wait one more time to see what my mechanic says.

There are some other threads on this forum that talk about some minor annoyances if you disconnect your battery. Like having to drive thru several "drive cycles" - whatever that means - for up to a couple of hundred miles before the emissions data has enough history to pass state inspection. And also having to reset windows and rear wipers (besides the usual radio and clock resets). Wonder if you noticed those in your case?

See:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/probl...window-roll-down-feature-stopped-working.html

Or maybe I'll spend $100 for one of those OBD-II code readers (that can reset, too). Esp if the mechanic just resets it and tells me again to be careful of tightening the gas cap each time I fill up....after I pay him another $50 on top of the $50 I paid him two months ago for the same advice...

Maybe I'm secretly hoping that some sort of Evap sensor is bad...but then I'll pay even more for that. These sensors and codes are a pain in the butt.

Thx!
 
I've never noticed any drivability issues after disconnecting the battery, but I am sure that the computer does have to relearn a few things. I did have to reset the radio, clock and windows, but those are each a 10 second thing. I've only used the rear wiper a handful of times in the past 5 years, so I don't know if something on it needs to be reset or not. I'll let ya'll know when/if the lights come back on.....
 
Did you ever figure this out? Since I've plugged in my SGII, those two codes have appeared 3 times. Never noticed any driving issues, but it's just a little surprising to find all of my dash lights on after starting my car.
 
May be fixed ....

I've had these same two codes appearing in my 2007 4Runner. I tried tightening the gas cap and clearing the codes. But, they would just come back in about a couple of days. Finally called the dealer and picked up a new gas cap. When I installed it, the codes were showing as "pending" and the dash had not lit up yet. After installing, the pending status went away and has not come back. It's been about 2.5 days now with no codes. If this doesn't fix it, I will look at replacing the VSV valve for the emissions. Hopefully, it's not the charcoal canister as some sites have been pointing to. That's about a grand to replace it you can't find a used one!
 
This problem has reared its ugly head again. I bought a new gas cap and the lights went out after a day or two. The next time I got gas though, they came back. They usually go off after a half tank or so, but they always come back when I get gas.

Any ideas? What should I replace next to fix this problem?
 
From what I've found, the next item to check and/or replace is the VSV valve between the charcoal canister and the intake manifold. It runs about $85 from the dealer. That will be my next step if the codes come back. After that, I'm afraid it will have to go to the shop.
 
Anyone know how to check the VSV valve? I will gladly spend the $85 if that's what fixes it, but I'd rather not just throw money at it (already did that with the cap!).

Thanks!

- Steve
 
Anyone know how to check the VSV valve? I will gladly spend the $85 if that's what fixes it, but I'd rather not just throw money at it (already did that with the cap!).

Thanks!

- Steve
 
A typical Toyota vsv consists of two wires (pos & neg), and two outlets. Apply power to the wires and you should hear a click. This click is the little solenoid and the valve will either open or close. Suck/blow into one of the ports, apply power and see if the state changes.
 
You guys have any luck figuring this out? Mine keeps coming on and I keep clearing the code daily...all this emissions crap is so damned annoying...

I figure I will start with the gas cap, then the VSV, and then the Charcoal Canister if needed.


Edit to Add: I think I have fixed my issue, I checked the whole fuel system and everything looked good that I could reach, including the VSV. I put a new gas cap on and the error has not come up again.
 
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You guys have any luck figuring this out? Mine keeps coming on and I keep clearing the code daily...all this emissions crap is so damned annoying...

I figure I will start with the gas cap, then the VSV, and then the Charcoal Canister if needed.


Edit to Add: I think I have fixed my issue, I checked the whole fuel system and everything looked good that I could reach, including the VSV. I put a new gas cap on and the error has not come up again.

Could anyone tell me where the VSV valve is located and what it looks like?
 
Look for a component with 2 vacuum hoses and a connection with 2 wires, if Toyota still uses something similar to my example.

Not sure this help you locate it, this was on my 1999 Prism(Corolla) there is on component id underneath in the rear by the canister, and one under the hood. To test the rear one you could hook up a 9v battery and listen for a click on the Prism.

I replaced the rear one and cleared the check engine, found on eBay for ~$40. Fastener was rusted on to the point I just used plastic ties to attach the new one on the old one and connected everything. Previously had changed the one under the hood with a junkyard find but that didn't make a difference.

Here's a couple of links that may help if the system Toyota uses is still the same;

https://www.motor.com/magazine-summary/foreign-service-january-2006/
https://www.motor.com/magazinepdfs/012006_08.pdf

I was just reading about this in the Corolla forum, my winter beater is a 2005 Matrix so I don't subject the 4Runner to it.
 
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2014 4Runner Limited

Ok, so I'm having issues. My 2014 4Runner is throwing P0441 and P0455 codes. Changed Gas cap. New purge Control valve. Inspected all hoses and lines. Still throwing codes. Where do I go from here?
 
Oddly enough, I just got my fuel pump replaced in my 2019 T4R under the Toyota recall...two days later I am having this combination of codes (P0441 and P0455) being thrown (CEL and TRAC OFF lights on the dash).

Cleared the codes, they came back on the following day. I have cleared again and re-tightened the gas cap just to see if this was the cause, but haven't driven enough since to be sure.

I asked the dealer about changing out the fuel pump and having these codes pop up right after this service, but they insist changing the fuel pump couldn't have cause the codes to show up.

Makes sense that the codes are fuel system related that it could cause them to show up when opening the fuel system up?

Anyways, if they come back, I guess I'll try a new gas cap and go from there...don't really want to pay a diagnostic fee to the dealer since I know what codes are being thrown already.





ETA: After arguing with the service manager about how they wanted to run a smoke test ($240 + charge me for diagnostics since they couldn't find a problem) after they were unable to find the source of the leak, and me annoying the shit out of them to be sure they checked everything that was worked on when swapping the fuel pump out...

...they looked at "one last thing to check" (according to the service manager) and found out that when installing the new pump they tore an o-ring.

Replaced this and have been w/o any lights for the past two weeks.
 
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This happened to me, it turns out it was the smog filter. Can be pretty expensive to replace if you go that route, or you can get a simple bypass kit from a member here (mrfox or something with fox in the name IIRC) super easy to install and comes with these metal plates to install if the valves are stuck open. I lost one of the plates before I could install but it appears to still work. The codes randomly will come on now and then but I think is due to my gas cap which just pulls off if not turned just enough but not too much but you can clear the codes and be on your way
 

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