P0496 Chevy Truck Tahoe: High Purge Emission System Evaporative Emissions

This is one of the most commonly encountered trouble codes for the Chevy Tahoe The Code P0496. This is the code that you will receive when you connect your Tahoe to an OBDII scaner.

Related: P0420 Chevy Truck Tahoe

Chevy Tahoe P0496 Symptoms

The Chevy Tahoe's P0496 code will frequently be associated with an irregular idle. To find the correct idle speed, the engine will increase and decrease in revs. This can often occur right after buying gas. Sometimes it might not even start at the station.

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.

Chevy Tahoe P0496 Meaning

The universal OBDII code P0496 can be used to diagnose trouble codes. It means that the code is universal and will be the same regardless of make or model. The code is technically:

High Purge Flow Evaporative Electromission System

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 Chevy Tahoe's computer will emit the OBDII P0496 code if it detects the EVAP system purging in an unintentional manner.

Chevy Tahoe P0496 Causes

The Chevrolet Tahoe can be affected by many factors, including the trouble code P0496. These are some of the more common issues that can cause the code to appear.

Vapor Canister Purge Valve– The most common culprit with the P0496 trouble code and the Chevy Tahoe is going to be the vapor canister purge valve. When it goes bad, it typically causes issues with the vehicle’s idle speed. This happens especially after the vehicle has been fueled up.

It’s really easy to replace. There are some clips you will need to identify and then remove. 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.

Connectivity– 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. It may be worth your time to change the fuel cap on your Chevy Tahoe and to see if it disappears.

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 finding out what's wrong with Tahoe. These are our hopes. Please feel free to add anything below.