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P2420 OBD Error Code: Problem & Solutions

OBD Code P2420 - Evaporative Emission System Switching Valve Control Circuit High

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A failed OBD-II Code Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is stated as an Evaporative Emission System Switching Valve Control Circuit High.The Leak Detection Pump is a component of the Evaporative Emissions System. Following with when the vehicle was in a sitting position for some hours, this pump will come on and produce a vacuum within the EVAP system. The engine computer (PCM) performs this assessment as the vehicle is on off mode. If the PCM is unable to view the Leak Detection Pump trigger as commanded, or is unable to view a vacuum produced in the EVAP System, the PCM will be setting code P2420.

Learn More About OBD Error Code P2420

The error code P2420 signals that the Engine Control Module (ECM) has found a function failure within the switching control circuit of the EVAP control system located in the engine. The EVAP system is comprised of several components associated to the intake, fuel, and exhaust as part of the engine system. Multiple systems consist of a purge valve opening and closing at particular time slots to outlet fuel mists out of the fuel tank and entering in the intake manifold.


What causes this problem with the Evaporative Emission System Switching Valve Control Circuit High?


  • A faulty switching valve/purge valve
  • A Split or damaged fuel and vacuum lines
  • A plug in the EVAP system
  • A defective Engine Control Module
  • An insecure gas cap

Replace/Repair These Parts To Fix OBD Code P2420

  1. Powertrain Control Module - Irregular engine behavior could determine a bad or failed PCM. A failed computer might cause a vehicle to stall unexpectedly or fail to start. If the PCM is faced with any problems, it might resist the timing and fuel placements of the engine that might badly affect the vehicle as it is generating. A failed PCM causes a vehicle to face a decrease in fuel efficiency, power, and acceleration. A failed PCM could be dealing with a vehicle that fails to get started or faces issues in restarting. If the PCM fails completely, the vehicle stays dealing with a loss of engine power control, so it might fail to start or face problems as when it’s running as a result. The engine might still be cranking, but have no crucial inputs that come from the computer, so it is susceptible of not starting at all.
  2. Emission Switching Valve - A worn or damaged engine exhaust valve is often the result symptoms such as rough idling, backfiring, decreased power and reduced gas mileage. In certain situations, this error can also lead to a complete engine failure, so it is critical to have it observed by a mechanic right away. An absolute valve failure can lead to many critical errors and result in a dramatic series of harmful reactions. In major situations, the error starts with a damaged or scorched valve. Singed valves are the result of an incorrect seal positioned between the valve and valve seat, which enables a few of the intensely hot burning gasses to release around the valve. While the gas bypasses the valve, it starts to singe the valve edges because of the ultimate temperatures. As the engine exhaust valve begins to get rammed open, it’s not only unable to lead to the valve into a burning condition, but might also result in the valve to break if the piston strikes it. A breaking and burning valve is two major frequent results of a failing valve. Moreover, the valves might also end up bending by a colliding impact between the valve and piston. The valve stem might also start to wear out on elevated mileage vehicles.
  3. EVAP System – A Check Engine Light that comes on when you are driving is a major symptom of an EVAP leak. A subtle fuel smell might be detectable too, but it does not occur in all vehicles. If your Check Engine Light is indeed coming on, and your gas tank up just got filled, detect the gas cap. A gas cap that is not being closed correctly is another major symptom of an EVAP leak warning or the Check Engine Light. If the cap is not tightened to a full or entirely closed, the Check Engine Light might turn on. In advance to bringing your vehicle to the mechanic, detect your gas cap to ensure that it is situated on the tank proper and closed tightly all the way. If the gas cap is on properly, there might be a more crucial problem, for instance a leak found in the hose system. Any other problems might be a defective vent O-ring seal, faulty leak detection pump, faulty purge valve, or another slight leak inside the EVAP system. Fuel mists escape from the vehicle at any moment the tank holds gasoline. So if you do find a leak, in spite you may not be driving the vehicle, those mists are contaminating the air all day long. Uncontrolled emissions at his exposition are roughly 20% of the polluted air created by vehicles. If your Check Engine Light does turn on and you surmise a leak inside your EVAP system, it is a great idea to call up a mechanic take a look at your vehicle. It is challenging to detect EVAP codes and the mechanic has to use upgraded problem shooting strategies to find out where the leak is located, including how critical the leak is.
  4. Purge Control Solenoid – A rough idle is a major symptom that may result in a defective purge control solenoid. In this scenario, you will see the car is running inaccurately as it stops or drives at low speeds. If the canister purge valve has failed and is sticking open, it will produce a vacuum leak that is susceptible of affecting the speed and quality of an engine idle. A broken or damaged purge solenoid or any of the hoses attached to it can also result in a vacuum leak. So resolving the problem needs to be sent forward as early as possible, as it might result in your engine to stall entirely. Above all else, in a rough idle, a vehicle that has a failing EVAP canister purge valve will show indications of bad engine operation. The engine might feel as if it’s running feeble and will not process enough power for speeding up. Speeding up your drive will feel as if you are pressing down on the pedal and moving at a slower pass. The interrupted burning process is the result of a failing purge solenoid that will lead to slow speeding that needs to be sent forward for immediate repairs. A bad vapor canister purge solenoid is another major symptom that makes it challenging to start the car. As mentioned above, if a vacuum leak is created as an outcome of any error associated with the canister purge solenoid that might result in the vehicle to face challenges with starting dependably. A vacuum leak will enable unmeasured, external air to access the engine, which can interfere with the air-fuel ratio and result in operation errors by disrupting the internal burning process. Ultimately, the engine might reject to start completely. Bad gas mileage is also signifies a failing canister purge valve. The fuel mists in your car that is normally used for burning will rather wind up vented in past the EVAP canister. Rather than reaching the burning chamber, fuel is getting scorched before it gets involved in the burning process. In this case, your car will not be using fuel effectively, but rather it will use up gasoline.
  5. Purge Flow Sensor - The check engine light is the first sign of an error for your canister purge valve. Your car’s computer controls canister purge valve, which enables it to inspect its operation. If your car’s computer finds purging from the valve higher or lower than predicted, the check engine light will illuminate. If your canister purge valve is not opening correctly, it might harmfully affect your gas mileage. This happens when the vapors that your car normally uses to burn emissions will detect the EVAP canister and be allowed to escape into the environment as a result, which means that you will be losing a fragment of the fuel that is normally used in the burning process. If your canister purge valve is rammed open, whatsoever, it produces a vacuum leak that affects your engine unfavorably. To be brief, this will allow air to access the engine in an amount that your car’s computer usually does not expect. This will shift the car’s air to fuel ratio, and can result in rough idling, specifically when the car is feeling rough and bouncy as the engine runs, including difficulties in starting up. If there is a tandem in play, it is most susceptible that a canister valve is failing, or another component of the EVAP system.
  6. Engine Control Module - An Check Engine Light that illuminates is a major sign of an error related to the ECM. The Check Engine Light normally illuminates as the computer finds an error that involves any of its sensors or circuits. There are situations, whatsoever, where the ECM illuminates a Check Engine Light by mistake, or when no problem is current. Scanning the computer for error codes can assist in disclosing whether or not there is problem with the ECM, or anywhere else in the vehicle. Irregular engine behavior is another major symptom of a bad or failing ECM. A defective computer might result in the vehicle to erratically have problems such as stalling or misfires. The symptoms might come and go, and might not show any kind of pattern to their prevalence or vitality. Engine operation errors are another symptom of a possible issue related to the ECM. If the ECM has any problems, it might mislead the timing and fuel positions of the engine, which can badly affect operation. A defective ECM might result in the vehicle to be facing a decrease in fuel efficiency, power, and speed. A vehicle that fails to start or struggles to start is another major symptom or a bad or faltered ECM. If the ECM fails entirely, the vehicle will be left without engine command control, and will not be starting or running as an outcome. The engine might still be cranking, but it will be unable to start without the crucial inputs from the computer. A vast range of other problems can also cause this symptom, so it’s better to get an absolute diagnosis by an experienced mechanic to consistently find out the cause.

Symptoms Of OBD Error Code P2420

After learning all about the results that are underlying the problem, get ready to take a look at some frequent symptoms of this error. Rigorously study this division to further learn about this trouble code P2420.


Common Symptoms


  • There are normally no symptoms outside of an illuminated Check Engine Light are related to the P2420 error code:
  • Delay when speeding up
  • Too much exhaust leak
  • Rich or lean exhaust
  • If not clearing the DP, this will return the ECU to the Limp Home Mode until correcting the case

How To Correct P2420 Evaporative Emission System Switching Valve Control Circuit High

Repairing errors involving your car is more challenging than what it seems. You have to be intensely cautious and read these important points.


  • An exhaust after treatment fuel injector is usually staged right in the diesel particulate filter or catalytic converter and it is usually managed electronically by utilizing a committed exhaust after the treatment fuel injector controller is utilized in connection with the PCM.
  • If either of the reference voltage or ground circuits is opening, utilize the digital volt/ohm meter to detect for progression, disengaging all associated control modules from the circuit prior to detecting circuit resistance or controller breakage that might be evident, as well as resistance in all circuits.
  • When the reluctor ring bypasses the electromagnetic sensor, the 5-volt reference signal is accomplished with the projecting metal planes.
  • If the code is failing to come back instantly, you might have an irregular setting

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Easy Diagnosis Of Engine Error OBD Code P2420

If you are eager to quickly diagnose this error code P2420, then what you need to do is to read these points, which are described as follows:


  • A mechanic might start out with diagnosing the P2420 error code by first detecting to ensure the fuel cap is securely tight.
  • The mechanic will then pull out a diagram for the EVAP system of the vehicle, in turn.
  • Afterwards, the mechanic would situate all the components of the EVAP system and start to test them out for any traces of visible damage.

These components might come as:


  • Fuel course
  • Vacuum course
  • The charcoal canister
  • The purge valve
  • Any sensors applied to the EVAP system
  • Visible damages could show up as:
  • Leaks
  • Cracks
  • Settled Wiring

Common Mistakes When Diagnosing the P2420 Code


  • Failed Canister pump module
  • Leaking or limited EVAP hose
  • Failed Powertrain Control Module (PCM)
  • Wiring problem

Other Diagnostic Codes Related To OBD Code P2420

P2418 - Evaporative Emission System Switching Valve Control Circuit/Open

P2419 - Evaporative Emission System Switching Valve Control Circuit Low