P0443 on 2008-2023 Dodge Challenger: EVAP Purge Valve Circuit Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2008-2023 Dodge Challenger

The Dodge Challenger, across its V6 and V8 engines, commonly experiences this code due to the failure of the purge valve solenoid itself. The part is a frequent replacement item on many Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep products, including those with the 3.6L Pentastar and 5.7L/6.1L/6.4L HEMI engines. Unlike some complex EVAP issues, P0443 on a Challenger points with high probability to a simple component failure or a related wiring issue, making it a straightforward diagnosis. Forum users on Challengerforumz.com and Challengertalk.com frequently cite replacing the purge valve as the immediate and successful fix for this code.

Generation note: The 2008-2023 model years cover the entire third generation (LC) of the Dodge Challenger. This generation had a significant interior and exterior facelift in 2015. However, the function and general location of the EVAP purge valve on top of the engine remain consistent across pre-facelift (2008-2014) and post-facelift (2015-2023) models, as well as across different engine options (V6 and V8s). The part itself is easily accessible on all engine variants.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Check Engine Light is on
• Difficulty starting the engine, especially right after refueling
• Slightly rough or unstable idle
• Slight decrease in fuel economy
• Remote start feature may be disabled
• Possible faint fuel odor

Most Likely Causes

1. Failed EVAP Purge Solenoid/Valve 🔴 High Probability → Shop Vapor Canister This is a very common failure part across the Chrysler/Dodge lineup, including all Challenger engines. The internal coil of the solenoid can burn out, creating an open circuit (P0444), or short circuit (P0445), or the valve can become mechanically stuck open or closed.
   How to confirm: Disconnect the valve and test the resistance between the two electrical pins with a multimeter. A good valve will have a specific resistance (typically 15-30 ohms, but check service manual). An infinite reading (OL) indicates an open coil, and a zero reading indicates a short. You can also try to blow through the valve with it disconnected; if air passes, it is stuck open and faulty.
   Typical fix: Replace the EVAP purge solenoid/valve. It is typically mounted on the engine with one or two bolts and has two hoses and one electrical connector.
   Est. part cost: $25 - $80
2. Wiring or Connector Issue 🟡 Medium Probability The wiring harness in the engine bay is exposed to heat and vibration, which can lead to chafed or broken wires over time. The connector itself can also become corroded or the pins can loosen, causing an intermittent connection.
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the wiring going to the purge valve for any signs of damage, chafing, or melting. Disconnect the connector and check for corrosion or bent/loose pins. With the key on, engine off, use a multimeter to confirm one wire in the connector has battery voltage (approx. 12V). The other wire is the control wire, which the PCM pulses to ground to activate the solenoid.
   Typical fix: Repair the damaged section of wire or clean/replace the electrical connector. Ensure the harness is secured away from hot or moving parts.
   Est. part cost: $5 - $25
3. Blown Fuse ⚪ Low Probability
   How to confirm: Check the fuses related to the engine management or emissions systems. For 2014+ models, check fuses F31, F34, F35, and F36 in the front fuse box (engine bay) and potentially relay R63 in the front box and R29 in the rear fuse box (trunk). The owner's manual or a factory service manual will have the exact fuse layout for your specific year and model.
   Typical fix: Replace the blown fuse. If the fuse blows again immediately, it indicates a short circuit in the wiring that needs to be found and repaired.
   Est. part cost: $1 - $5

Rare But Worth Checking

• Faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM): → Shop Engine Control Module (ECM) This is very rare. The driver circuit inside the PCM that controls the purge solenoid can fail, but this should only be considered after the purge valve, wiring, and fuses have all been confirmed to be good.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read the code with an OBD-II scanner to confirm P0443 is present. Note any other codes like P0444 or P0445.
2. Check for blown fuses. On 2014+ models, inspect fuses F31, F34, F35, and F36 in the engine bay fuse box. Consult your owner's manual for the correct fuse for your year.
3. Locate the EVAP purge valve. It is on top of the engine, near the intake manifold, with two hoses and an electrical connector.
4. Inspect the electrical connector and nearby wiring for any visible damage, corrosion, or loose connections.
5. Test for power at the connector. With the ignition on (engine off), use a multimeter to check for battery voltage (around 12V) at one of the pins in the harness-side connector.
6. Test the valve's internal coil. Disconnect the connector and measure the resistance between the two pins on the valve itself. A reading of 'OL' (over limit/open) or near 0 ohms (short) means the valve is bad. A good valve should read between 15-30 ohms (verify spec for your specific part).
🎬 Watch: How to test the purge control circuit with a multimeter.
7. If voltage is present and the valve's resistance is within spec, the problem may be in the ground-side control wire going back to the PCM or, rarely, the PCM itself.
8. If the valve is confirmed faulty, replace it, clear the code, and drive the vehicle to see if the light returns.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• EVAP Purge Solenoid / Purge Valve (OEM #04891731AA (Common for 3.6L/5.7L), 4861963AA, 5035244AA. Always verify with VIN.) — This is the most common point of failure for the P0443 code on this vehicle.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, Bosch, Standard Motor Products (SMP), Dorman
  OEM price range: $50-$100
  Aftermarket price range: $25-$80

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0444 — P0444 indicates the purge control circuit is open. This can be triggered by the same faults as P0443, such as a broken wire or a failed (open) solenoid coil.
• P0445 — P0445 indicates the purge control circuit is shorted. This can be caused by a shorted wire or a shorted solenoid coil, which are related electrical failures.
• P0441 — P0441 indicates 'Incorrect Purge Flow'. If the P0443 circuit fault prevents the valve from opening or closing correctly, the PCM will detect the resulting incorrect flow rate and set P0441 as well.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• Emissions Recall UB4 was issued for some 2013-2016 Challengers for a faulty evaporative emissions canister that could not properly absorb fuel vapors. While this does not directly cause P0443, it is a related EVAP system issue worth noting for those model years.
• On some related Dodge/Chrysler vehicles, outdated PCM software has been known to falsely trigger P0443. While less documented for the Challenger specifically, it's worth checking for TSBs related to PCM updates if the valve and wiring test good.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• EVAP Purge Solenoid Coil Resistance — expected: 15 - 35 Ohms (Ω). Failure: A reading of infinity/OL (Open Loop) or near zero ohms indicates a failed coil.
• Voltage at Purge Solenoid Connector (Power Pin) — expected: Approximately 12V (Battery Voltage) with Key On, Engine Off.. Failure: No voltage indicates a problem with the power supply circuit, such as a blown fuse or bad relay.
• Voltage at Purge Solenoid Connector (Control Pin) — expected: This is a ground-side switched circuit. Voltage should be near battery voltage when the valve is commanded OFF and drop to near 0V when the PCM commands it ON (via a scan tool).. Failure: Voltage does not change when the valve is commanded ON/OFF, suggesting a wiring issue to the PCM or a faulty PCM driver.
• Continuity of Control and Return Wires to PCM — expected: Less than 5.0 Ohms (Ω) resistance.. Failure: Resistance higher than 5.0 Ohms indicates an open or high resistance in the wiring harness between the solenoid and the PCM.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• DRB III / WiTech (Dealer-level scan tool): Actuate EVAP Purge Solenoid / EVAP Purge Test — This bidirectional command allows the technician to manually turn the purge solenoid on and off. It's used to verify if the solenoid clicks (actuates) and to check for the corresponding voltage change on the control wire, confirming the PCM driver and wiring integrity.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• K52 (EVAP Purge Control Circuit) — This is the control wire that runs from a pin on the PCM harness connector to pin 2 of the EVAP purge solenoid connector.. An open or short to ground on this specific wire is a direct cause of P0443. Technicians test continuity and for shorts on this wire between the PCM and the solenoid.
• K70 (EVAP Purge Return Circuit) — This wire runs from a pin on the PCM harness connector to the EVAP purge solenoid. Its exact function can vary, but it's part of the monitored circuit.. A service manual diagnostic procedure for a Ram 1500 (with a similar system) involves checking this circuit for opens or shorts to ground.
• Purge Solenoid Power Supply — This wire runs from the fuse/relay box (Totally Integrated Power Module - TIPM) to pin 1 of the EVAP purge solenoid connector.. This wire supplies the 12V power to the solenoid. A break in this wire or a fault in the TIPM will prevent the solenoid from having power, triggering the circuit code.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• ChallengerTalk Forum User (2016 Dodge Challenger) — Check Engine Light with code P0443.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replaced the EVAP purge solenoid/valve twice with new parts.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The problem was an intermittent break in the wiring harness leading to the purge valve. The technician had to wiggle the harness while monitoring the circuit to find the fault, then repaired the broken wire.

OEM Part Supersession History

• Not specified, but 04891731AA is a long-standing number. → The part number 04891731AA is a widely used Mopar part for this application across many model years and engines, including Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler vehicles. — Standard production part.
  Heads up: While this part number is very common, always verify the correct part number for your specific vehicle's VIN before purchasing, as minor variations can exist.

Model Year Variations Within This Range

• 2014-2023: The fuse and relay layout for the EVAP system differs from earlier models. Post-2014 Challengers have specific fuses (F31, F34, F35, F36) and relays (R63, R29) in the front and rear fuse boxes that should be checked for this code.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Other Known Issues on This Vehicle

Issues unrelated to this code that are worth knowing about as an owner of this generation:

• HEMI Tick (Camshaft/Lifter Failure) 🔴 High — Common on 5.7L and 6.4L HEMI engines, particularly 2009-2016 models, but can affect all years. Often starts as a light tick and can progress to misfires and engine failure if untreated. (Ref: Multiple internal STAR cases exist, but no widespread recall. Lawsuits have been filed regarding this issue.)
• Uconnect 8.4" Screen Delamination 🟠 Medium — Very common on 2017+ models with the 8.4-inch touchscreen. The screen bubbles and separates, causing 'ghost touches' and loss of functionality. (Ref: No recall, but many owners have received out-of-warranty assistance from FCA/Stellantis on a case-by-case basis.)
• Cracked Oil Filter/Cooler Housing (3.6L Pentastar) 🔴 High — Extremely common on the 3.6L V6. The plastic housing, located in the engine valley, cracks from heat cycles, causing a major oil leak often misdiagnosed as a rear main seal leak. (Ref: No recall. Upgraded all-aluminum aftermarket parts are a popular, permanent fix.)
• Trunk Water Leak 🟡 Low — Reported across many model years. Water enters the trunk, often pooling in the spare tire well near the battery. Common causes include failed taillight seals, bad trunk weatherstripping, or unsealed body seams.
• Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) Failure 🔴 High → Shop Fuse Box — More common on earlier 2008-2014 models. A faulty TIPM can cause a wide range of bizarre electrical issues, including no-start conditions, fuel pump issues, and random activation of accessories. (Ref: Subject of a class-action lawsuit, but no universal recall was issued for the Challenger.)

Used vs. New Parts: Buying Guide for This Vehicle

When a used part is the smart pick: A used EVAP purge solenoid from a junkyard is a reasonable choice for this repair. It is an external, easily accessible, electro-mechanical part that is not subject to internal engine wear. Failure is typically electrical (coil burnout) and not related to mileage.

Donor-vehicle mileage cap: roughly under 80000 miles for the part to have meaningful remaining life.

What to inspect on the donor part:

• Ensure the plastic housing is not cracked or brittle.
• Check that the electrical connector pins are clean, straight, and free of corrosion.
• Verify the hose ports are not broken or clogged with debris.
• If possible, ask for a part from a vehicle that was in a collision, as this suggests the part was likely functional before the accident.

OEM-only on this vehicle (don't cheap out):

• Powertrain Control Module (PCM) - Due to the need for VIN-specific programming, a used PCM is often not a plug-and-play solution and requires specialized tools to adapt to the vehicle.

Aftermarket brands forum-validated for this vehicle:

• Bosch
• Standard Motor Products (SMP)
• Dorman

Brands owners have reported issues with on this vehicle:

• No-name, unbranded parts from online marketplaces have a higher reported failure rate according to forum discussions.

Real Owner Stories

Aggregated from forums and TSBs cited above. Mileages and costs reflect what owners reported in those sources.

Related OBD-II Codes

• P0444 — Indicates an open circuit in the EVAP purge solenoid control circuit; often occurs when the internal coil of the solenoid burns out.
• P0445 — Indicates a short circuit in the EVAP purge solenoid control circuit, which can be caused by a failed internal solenoid coil or damaged wiring.
• P0440 — A general EVAP system fault that may appear alongside P0443 if the purge valve is mechanically stuck or the system cannot maintain vacuum.

Frequently Asked Questions