Chrysler Town and Country, P0453: The Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor/Switch is Too High

The evaporative emission control system (EVAP), used by your Chrysler Town and Country, moves fuel vapors out of the fuel tank and filler neck and then sends them to engine for burning.  The fuel tank's pressure can rise to dangerous levels. P0453The engine light will turn on after the key is thrown.

Your Town and Country are safe if the sole trouble code you have is P0453.  The EVAP is responsible for transferring fuel vapor.  It doesn't matter if it does that, or not. This has no impact on how your engine works.  This code is not to be ignored.

The EVAP isn't always functioning.  It uses a  valve to open and close the system to release fuel vapor into the engine to be burned off.

It is the fuel tank pressure sensor that detects excessive pressure.  It measures the air pressure inside the tank and not the fuel pressure.  When it does, the P0453 signal is sent.  The fuel tank pressure sensor can be found on top of the fuel tank, fuel pump or fuel level sending device.

The opposite of this code is P0452, which is thrown whenever the system pressure is too low.

P0453 Symptoms:  Chrysler Town and Country

This code is usually not associated with any symptoms.  The check engine light will illuminate (that’s why you’re here).

You may only notice the fuel smell.  If the EVAP isn't working properly to remove the fuel vapor from the air, the system will look for other routes.

The causes

Below are the top causes of P0453.

• Charcoal canister Clogged vent valve
• Fuel tank pressure sensor damaged (sensor, or the wiring)
• Fuel tank damaged
• PCM/ECM (highly unlikely)

Diagnose P0453 with the Chrysler Town and Country

Diagnosing P0453 in your Town and Country can be challenging if you don’t have a scan tool that is capable of reading the fuel pressure sensor data or capable of commanding the vent valve to open and close.

How to Make Your Home a Better Place

• If you happen to notice the sound of air escaping when you take your Town and Country’s gas cap off, that is a telltale sign that the vent valve is bad, or the charcoal canister is bad(it’s pressure leaving the gas tank).  Once you have driven for some time, turn off the gas cap and go somewhere else.  It’s hard to notice the sound when you’re at a noisy gas station.
• Examine the wiring connecting to the fuel pressure sensor. If it is damaged or frayed, you should inspect it.  If it isn’t then the only way to really diagnose it is with a professional mechanic’s scanner.  This is difficult because you may need to remove the tank from your vehicle to be able to examine it.

How a mechanic will do it

• To determine if the sensor detects vacuum, a mechanic will take data from the fuel pressure sensor.
• You can also tell the vent valves to open or close.  This can be heard depending on which year and model of the vehicle.

A mechanic can inspect the wiring leading to the fuel pressure sensor if the fuel tank pressure is not within the specifications.  A mechanic will inspect the wiring leading to the fuel pressure sensor and replace it if that is found.

The charcoal canister must be replaced if the vent valve turns on and the pressure sensor works fine.  If the vent valve doesn’t come on, it will need replacement in order to clear P0453.

If all appears to be in order, it could indicate that the PCM may not work properly.

Chrysler Town and Country P0453

That’s pretty much it.  While there are only a couple of common things that’ll cause P0453, there it can be tough to diagnose it without the right equipment.  It’s not going to leave you stranded on the side of the road either.  You're going to fix your town and country!