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1998 Honda CR-V (Prizm) P0441, P0446, P0304, P0303, P0300, P0301: Misfire & EVAP Codes Explained

Model: 98 Prizm Fault Code: P0301 Posted: 2008-10-25 13:17

My 1998 Honda Prizm runs smoothly when cold-started in chilly weather, but the check engine light stays on. After driving about 2 miles, the vehicle begins to run poorly—rough idle and hesitation. Shutting it off and restarting helps temporarily, with normal operation for a few minutes before the issue returns. Notably, during these bad running conditions, the check engine light blinks. The onboard diagnostic system shows multiple codes: P0441 (Evaporative Emission System Malfunction), P0446 (EVAP Canister Vent Control Issue), and misfire codes P0304, P0303, P0300, P0301. I'm wondering if these codes are all related to a single underlying problem—such as ignition system failure or fuel delivery issues—or if they represent separate faults that need individual attention. The car has 123,000 miles and had new spark plugs installed last week with no improvement. No replacement spark plug wires have been done yet. I've noticed the performance degrades in warm weather, which suggests a temperature-related issue.

Related fault codes
P0301P0303P0304P0441P0446
Comments (7)
Anonymous 2008-10-25 13:26

The blinking check engine light indicates that the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) is detecting misfires. The P0441 and P0446 codes relate to the evaporative emission system, which typically do not directly affect engine performance. However, they may indicate a leak or faulty sensor in the EVAP system. To diagnose accurately, it's important to know the vehicle’s mileage and when the last tune-up was performed.

Anonymous 2008-10-25 14:36

My car has 123,000 miles. I replaced the spark plugs last week with new ones, but that didn’t resolve the issue. I haven’t installed new ignition wires yet. The vehicle starts and runs fine for a few minutes when it's cold outside, but as soon as temperatures rise, it begins to run poorly immediately after starting.

Anonymous 2008-10-25 15:05

The spark plug cap, rotor, and ignition wires are likely the next steps. Try replacing these components first—once the engine runs smoothly under normal conditions, you can then focus on diagnosing the EVAP-related codes.

Anonymous 2008-10-25 15:23

Thanks for the advice—I’ll schedule a full tune-up to address the ignition system before moving on to other diagnostics.

Anonymous 2008-10-28 23:07

Hey friend, what brand of spark plugs did you install initially? If they’re not the correct type—such as Delco, Denso, or NGK—the misfire could be caused by incompatible components. Using non-approved plugs may lead to poor combustion and intermittent misfires.

Anonymous 2008-10-29 21:43

I used Delco spark plugs. The new wires didn’t help either—misfires persist even after the plug replacement.

Anonymous 2008-11-03 21:00

Do you have access to a scan tool? I’d recommend monitoring live data while driving under both cold-start and warm conditions. Comparing engine parameters like misfire counts, fuel trims, and ignition timing during these different scenarios can provide deeper insight into what’s causing the issues—since diagnostic codes alone often don’t tell the full story.