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DTC/P0444·Volkswagen

P0444 on Volkswagen: Causes, Symptoms and Fix Cost

Quick Answer
Low SeveritySafe to drive (short-term)Volkswagen

P0444 on a Volkswagen means the engine control unit has detected an open circuit in the wiring or coil of the purge control valve, the solenoid that lets fuel vapour stored in the charcoal canister be drawn into the engine and burned. Because the valve stays closed without power, the car usually drives exactly as before and the check engine light is the only sign. It is a purely electrical fault: an unplugged or corroded connector, a broken wire, a blown fuse or a valve with a burnt-out coil. EU OBD rules require the electronic purge control on a petrol car to be monitored at least for circuit continuity, so purge valve circuit codes like this one can appear on EU-market petrol cars that never run a full EVAP leak test.

Connect any standard Bluetooth OBD2 adapter to your Volkswagen and Skanyx tells you what P0444 means on that engine, whether it is safe to keep driving, and what the fix should cost. Free on iPhone and Android.

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What does P0444 mean on a Volkswagen?

The Quick Answer above is the generic definition. What follows is the model-specific detail for the Volkswagen models that log P0444.

Volkswagen Golf

2005-2024

VW calls the purge valve N80, and VCDS reports this code on petrol Golfs as EVAP Purge Control Valve (N80): Circuit Open. The published fault guidance lists three causes, a blown fuse, a faulty N80 and faulty wiring or connections, and three checks to match: the fuses, an ohm test across the N80 terminals, and the wiring and connectors. An N80 that measures open-circuit is replaced as a unit.

What causes P0444 on a Volkswagen?

Beyond the generic causes listed on the main P0444 page, these are the patterns noted for Volkswagen models:

Volkswagen GolfN80 purge valve with an open coil
Volkswagen GolfBlown fuse or open wiring on the N80 circuit

How to diagnose P0444 on a Volkswagen with OBD2

Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0444:

  1. Read every stored code, the freeze frame and the readiness monitors. A generic OBD2 reader can do all of that, and on many cars it can also show the commanded purge value as live data. It cannot switch the purge valve on and off to test it; that needs a bidirectional or manufacturer-level scan tool
  2. Find the purge valve. On most cars it sits in the engine bay on or near the intake manifold, in the hose that runs from the charcoal canister to the intake. Check that its connector is plugged in and locked, and look for corroded, bent or pushed-back pins
  3. Unplug the valve and measure the resistance across its two terminals. An infinite or OL reading means the coil is open and the valve must be replaced; a reading within the manual's figure clears the valve itself
  4. With the ignition on, check for battery voltage at the power pin of the connector. No voltage points to a blown fuse or a break in the feed. If the fuse has blown, find the short before fitting a new one, or the new fuse will blow too
  5. Check the control wire from the valve connector to the ECU for continuity and for chafing along its route. On most cars the ECU switches the valve by pulsing this side of the circuit
  6. After the repair, clear the code and, if you have a bidirectional tool, command the valve on and off: it should click each time. Otherwise drive normally until the EVAP readiness monitor completes, which can take several drive cycles, and confirm the code does not return

How much does P0444 cost to fix on a Volkswagen? (EUR)

Estimated repair costs for P0444 in EUR, compiled across makes. Expect Volkswagen parts and labour towards the upper end of each range.

Repair Parts Cost Labor Cost Total Estimate DIY Difficulty
Reconnect, clean and reseat the purge valve connector €0–€10 €0–€40 €0–€50 Easy
Replace purge valve €25–€120 €40–€150 €65–€270 Moderate
Repair purge valve wiring, power feed or connector pins €10–€40 €60–€180 €70–€220 Moderate
Find the short and replace a blown fuse €1–€5 €0–€60 €1–€65 Moderate

Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.

These codes are often seen alongside P0444 or point to related issues, on any make:

P0440VolkswagenP0441VolkswagenP0442VolkswagenP0446VolkswagenP0455VolkswagenP0456VolkswagenP0496Volkswagen

Looking for the full P0444 reference (all makes, full diagnosis flow, complete repair cost matrix)?

See the main P0444 guide
Skanyx · Volkswagen

Diagnose P0444 on your Volkswagen

Your car logged P0444. Skanyx reads it on any standard Bluetooth OBD2 adapter, tells you whether it is safe to keep driving, and breaks down the likely repair so you know the number before a shop quotes you. Free on iPhone and Android, and you do not need to be a mechanic to read it.

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