P2421
EVAP Vent Valve Stuck Open
The evaporative emission system vent valve does not close on command. The ECU detects that the evap system cannot hold pressure or vacuum because the canister is permanently vented to atmosphere.
- Check engine light: Yes
- Emissions related: Yes
- Repair difficulty: easy
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Possible smell of fuel near tank or engine bay
- Failed emissions inspection
- Loose-cap warning may appear
Common causes
Ordered by how often each turns out to be the cause.
- Vent valve mechanically stuck openCommon
- Dust/debris preventing valve seatPossible
- Carbon or debris buildup preventing free movementLess likely
Parts involved
- EVAP Vent Valve
- EVAP Canister
P2421 is a generic OBD-II code defined by SAE J2012. Exact wording and diagnostic procedure vary by manufacturer and model. Code definitions are drawn from the public-domain OBDex dataset; the workshop notes are our own.