Severity: Moderate
Drivable, but it can cause more damage or poor economy. Get it checked within days.
What P0496 means
Purge flow when none was commanded. Usually a purge valve stuck open, which pulls fuel vapor into the engine.
Symptoms
- Hard start after refueling
- Rough idle
- Possible lean/rich codes
Common causes
Most likely first
- 1Purge valve stuck open
How we diagnose it
- Pinch the purge line and see if the idle smooths out
- Vacuum test the valve
Every vehicle sets codes under its own conditions. We check the factory diagnostic steps and service bulletins for your VIN, so the repair targets the actual cause.