P0454 OBD-II Trouble Code: Evaporative Emission Control System Pressure Sensor Intermittent

P0454 code definition

When the P0454 Trouble Code appears, it indicates that there is an issue with the evaporative emission control system pressure sensor intermittent.

What the P0454 code means

If this code is present in your vehicle, it means that the evaporation control system is not working correctly. The overall EVAP system contains a number of different parts including the fuel lines, the gas cap, purge valve, charcoal canister, flow sensors, system pressure, wiring, connectors, fuel tank, fuel vapor hoses, and the vacuum lines. This means that the issue could be caused due to a number of different problems.

What causes the P0454 code?

The following are some of the most common causes for the P0454 code.

• Faulty fuel cap
• Improperly installed fuel cap.
• Faulty purge control solenoid.
• Clogged charcoal canister
• Broken charcoal canister
• Broken or cracked vacuum
• Broken or cracked fuel vapor hoses
• Faulty pressure or flow sensor.
• A bad powertrain control module is a possible cause, but it is very rare.

What are the symptoms of the P0454 code?

There will not likely be any noticeable performance difference in the vehicle, and many drivers do not know they have a problem until the Check Engine light comes on. Even then, they won’t be able to tell what’s wrong with the vehicle. When the P0454 code appears, it is common for other trouble codes related to the evaporative emissions control system to show up as well.

How does a mechanic diagnose the P0454 code?

A mechanic will want to gather information from the onboard computer on the vehicle. The data the computer can provide them with the information they need to perform a proper diagnosis and then to complete the repairs. They will use an OBD-II scanner, which connects to the computer and gathers the data. The mechanic will also reset the codes and then test the vehicle to see if the codes come back. In some cases, especially with older vehicles that have a lot of miles on them, there could be false alarms when a code appears. The mechanic wants to make sure it is a real problem before they try to repair the vehicle.

Common mistakes when diagnosing the P0454 code

One of the common problems when diagnosing and repairing the P0454 code is replacing the evaporative emission control system when there are other issues at play. Often, dealing with a vacuum leak, or making sure that the fuel cap is on properly is all the mechanic needs to do.

How serious is the P0454 code?

Since drivers will not know there is an issue with the vehicle based on the way it performs, this is not generally a very serious problem. The biggest problem when this code appears is that the Check Engine light comes on and stays on. However, this does not mean that you should ignore this type of problem. If the mechanic finds the code, it’s always best to have them repair it as soon as possible.

What repairs can fix the P0454 code?

Once the mechanic has started to narrow down the location of the problem, they can start to make repairs. The following are some of the repairs that can be made to help fix the P0454 code:

• Replace the fuel cap.
• Replace the purge control solenoid.
• Check/replace the charcoal canister.
• Check/replace the fuel vapor hoses.
• Check/replace the vacuum.

Additional comments for consideration regarding the P0454 code

Even though you might not notice any difference in the performance of the vehicle, you never want to let a code go unattended for long. Take the time to bring the vehicle to a mechanic who can inspect it and who can determine the problem. It’s always better to fix even the minor problems as soon as you can so you don’t have even more problems to contend with in the future.

Need help with a P0454 code?

YourMechanic offers certified mobile mechanics who will come to your home or office to diagnose and repair your vehicle. Get a quote and book an appointment online or speak to a service advisor at 1-800-701-6230.