Honda Odyssey P0496 OBDII Code Diagnosis

This is one of the most commonly encountered trouble codes for the Honda Odyssey Is the Code P0496. This is the code that you will receive from OBDII when you connect your Odyssey to an OBDII scanner.

Below, you’ll find the most common symptoms and ways to diagnose the P0496 in your Honda Odyssey. We wish you all the best!

Honda Odyssey P0496 Symptoms

The P0496 code on the Honda Odyssey is often accompanied with an irregular idle. In order to determine the right idle speed, your engine may rev up or down. This is often what happens right after you purchase gas. The gas station might also not be able to start it.

If you’re old enough to have driven a carbureted vehicle the old stomp the gas and crank the engine method does actually help start the car. The air fuel mixture is off.
 

Related: P0420 Honda Odyssey

Honda Odyssey P0496 Meaning

P0496 stands for a universal OBDII Trouble Code. The code can be used regardless of the make and model of your vehicle. Technically the code is:

High Purge Evaporative Emissions Systems

The EVAP system collects fuel vapor from your fuel tank, and then sends it to the intake of the engine to ignite the combustion process.

The Honda Odyssey computer will emit the OBDII P0496 code if it detects that the EVAP is not purging as it should.

Honda Odyssey P0496 Causes

Many things can lead to the Honda Odyssey P0496 error code. The most frequent problems that cause this code are listed below.

Vapor Canister Purge Valve– The most common culprit with the P0496 trouble code and the Honda Odyssey is going to be the vapor canister purge valve. When it goes bad, it typically causes issues with the vehicle’s idle speed. It is particularly true after filling up your vehicle.

It’s really easy to replace. You will need to locate and delete a few clips. The following YouTube video demonstrates how to fix the problem.

PCM– It is possible that the engines computer system itself has gone bad and is registering a P0496 when it shouldn’t be. This is not the place you should be starting.

The wiring– It is possible for shorts in the wiring harness leading to the Vapor Canister Purge Valve has gone bad. It is worth checking.

Fuel Cap– A bad fuel cap can cause the P0496 code to be thrown for sure. Often, you’ll get a message informing you that the fuel cap is off even when it is on. You may not get the message but it could save your Honda Odyssey a lot of time and money by replacing it and seeing if it changes.

Oil Tank Pressure Sensor– If the fuel tank pressure sensor has gone bad, it can cause all sorts of problems, including the P0496 code.

Here’s a good video on it:

We wish you all the best in diagnosing and fixing your Odyssey. This should help. Please feel free to add anything below.