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What this purge solenoid fixes on your 2004–2012 GM truck

If your Colorado, Canyon, or Silverado 1500 throws P0442, P0455, or P0496, the purge solenoid is the first part to suspect. The Vapor Canister Purge Solenoid for 2004–2012 Chevrolet Colorado & Silverado replaces the failed valve and restores OEM-spec flow of 22–28 L/min at 12V.

Platform and engine coverage:

• GMT-355: 2004–2012 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon
• GMT-900: 2007–2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500
• Engines: 2.8L LK5, 2.9L LLV, 3.5L L52, 3.7L LLR, 5.3L LH8

All cab configurations and drive types are covered, and the valve cross-references GM OE numbers 12597567, 12597341, 20907779, and 25948082. For anything else the job calls for, start at the Auto & Motorcycle Parts one-stop shop.

Why it meets 2026 compliance thresholds

The valve is built to meet or exceed 2026 aftermarket compliance under SAE J2760 and ISO 16396. The body is PA66-GF30 reinforced composite — the same glass-fiber thermoplastic GM adopted for 2024–2026 OEM purge valve housings — rated for 150°C continuous operation.

Diagnostics work on both ends. It runs with SAE J1979-2 OBDonUDS protocols and CAN-bus 3.0 ready ECUs for 2026-model-year scan tools, while staying backward-compatible with legacy J1979 Mode $01–$09 services on your older truck.

Full specification table

Every value below comes from the validated spec sheet — nothing rounded.

Material and engineering deep-dive

Body: PA66-GF30, not legacy nylon-6

PA66-GF30 is 30% glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide 66. Per ISO 527 it reaches a tensile strength of 180 MPa; per ISO 75 its heat deflection temperature is 250°C. Original nylon-6 valves on these platforms warped with heat cycling and took the seal with them — this body stops that failure chain.

Diaphragm: fluorosilicone built for ethanol

The diaphragm is fluorosilicone (FVMQ) with an ethanol-resistant compound, certified to ASTM D2000 M4FK. It targets the degradation seen in E15–E85 fuel environments common in flex-fuel Silverado and Colorado variants. Economy valves use EPDM rubber, which permeates and swells in ethanol blends.

Coil, seat, and connections

Coil resistance is 25–35 Ω at 20°C, within ±3% of GM's original calibration range, so the ECU sees familiar current draw. The upgraded stainless steel 304 pintle seat resists the carbon and fuel varnish buildup that kills purge valves in high-mileage 2004–2012 trucks still in service.

• Ports: 5/8-inch barbed inlet, 3/8-inch outlet — OEM hose routing, no adapters
• Connector: two-pin USCAR EV6 oval, plating rated for 100 mating cycles
• PWM response: 8–500 Hz, matching legacy GM strategies and 2026 CAN FD 3.0 control

DTC mapping: which codes this valve clears

The core EVAP triad on these trucks is P0442, P0455, and P0496. Restoring the OEM-spec 22–28 L/min flow at 12V addresses all three at the source. Coverage extends across the P0440–P0499 range:

• P0442 — EVAP small leak, below 0.020"
• P0446 — vent control circuit
• P0449 — vent solenoid circuit
• P0451 — fuel tank pressure sensor range/performance
• P0455 — EVAP large leak, above 0.040"
• P0496 — EVAP flow during non-purge condition

On 2026 scan tools, the valve supports SAE J1979-2 Mode $06 TID/CID extended data for purge flow rationality diagnostics.

The symptom you will feel: hard start after refueling

A solenoid stuck open floods the intake manifold with raw vapor during refueling. The mixture goes rich enough to block ignition — crank, sputter, no start. That is the #1 confirmed failure pattern on 2004–2012 GM trucks with the 4.8L, 5.3L, and 3.7L engines, and it maps straight to P0496. Replace the valve, clear the codes, then run the drive cycle below.

The GM EVAP drive cycle after replacement

1. Keep fuel between 15% and 85% — the monitor inhibits outside that window.
2. Cold-soak for 8+ hours, with coolant and ambient temperature within 5°C.
3. Start the engine and idle in Park or Neutral for 2–3 minutes so the HO2S heaters stabilize.
4. Accelerate smoothly to 45–55 mph and hold steady throttle for 4–5 minutes — the purge flow test window.
5. Decelerate without braking to 20 mph, then return to cruising speed for the vacuum decay test.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 once. Expect the monitor to read Ready within 1–2 complete cold-start cycles.

More parts these same trucks usually need

High-mileage GMT-355 and GMT-900 trucks rarely need just one part. If the 5.3L is coming apart for deeper engine work, the ECCPP Full Gasket Set for 07-13 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Avalanche, Colorado 5.3 covers the sealing side of the job.

Driveline mounts wear out on the same platforms. The Transmission Mount for GMC Canyon, Chevrolet Colorado, Sierra 1500 and Silverado fits these trucks — worth checking while it is on the lift.

• For the steering and front-end side, read our guide to the Complete Front Rack and Pinion Tie Rods Sway Bars Set for Silverado Sierra Yukon XL 1500.

OEM cross-reference and certifications

Cross-reference numbers: 12597567, 12597341, 20907779, 25948082, 10386359 per the GM Parts Catalog. Projected service life is 10 years / 150,000 miles under EPA Useful Life Period parameters, backed by SAE J2760-validated accelerated aging data.

Certification coverage:

• EPA Tier 3 evaporative emission thresholds for light-duty trucks (2025–2026 effective window)
• CARB EO documentation available for California-registered vehicles
• EU Euro 6e evaporative requirements for exported vehicles
• ISO 16750-4 thermal validation: -40°C cold start to +150°C continuous, exceeding SAE J2760 Class 3 under-hood requirements

Frequently asked questions