GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Table 1: DTC P0446 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Vent System Performance

System Description

This DTC tests the evaporative emission (EVAP) system for a restricted or blocked EVAP vent path. The control module commands the EVAP canister purge solenoid Open and the EVAP canister vent solenoid Closed. This allows vacuum to be applied to the EVAP system. Once a calibrated vacuum level has been reached, the control module commands the EVAP canister purge solenoid Closed and the EVAP canister vent solenoid Open. The control module monitors the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor for a decrease in vacuum. If the vacuum does not decrease to near 0 inches H2O in a calibrated time, this DTC sets.

The following table illustrates the relationship between the ON and OFF states, and the Open or Closed states of the EVAP canister purge and vent valves.

Control Module Command

EVAP Canister Purge Solenoid

EVAP Canister Vent Solenoid

ON

Open

Closed

OFF

Closed

Open

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC.

DTC P0446 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Vent System Performance

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • DTCs P0101, P0102, P0103, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0128, P0221, P0222, P0223, P0451, P0452, P0453, P0496, P0560, P0562, and P0563 are not set.
    • The ignition 1 voltage is more than 10 volts.
    • The fuel system is operating in closed loop.
    • The engine is idling.
    • The volumetric efficiency is less than 35 percent.
    • The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 68 kPa.
    • The fuel level is between 15-85 percent.
    • The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is between 4-65°C (39-149°F).
    • The intake air temperature (IAT) is between 4-30°C (39-86°F).
    • The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) is less than 2 km/h (3 mph).

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The FTP is less than -1 inch H2O.
    • The engine control module (ECM) detects a large leak in the EVAP system.
    • The condition is present for more than 5 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 4 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

An intermittent condition could be caused by a damaged EVAP vent housing, a temporary blockage at the EVAP vent valve inlet or a pinched vent hose. A blockage in the vent system will also cause a poor fuel fill condition.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. The EVAP vent solenoid valve is located inside the EVAP canister. The EVAP canister must be removed from the vehicle, to access the EVAP vent solenoid valve. Once the EVAP solenoid vent valve has been removed from the EVAP canister, the electrical connector is re-connected. The vent solenoid valve is observed while being commanded ON and OFF with a scan tool.

DTC P0446 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Vent System Performance

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Evaporative Emissions Hose Routing Diagram

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-Engine Controls?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

Inspect the evaporative emission (EVAP) system for the following conditions:

    • A damaged EVAP vent valve
    • A damaged EVAP canister

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the purge line from the EVAP canister purge solenoid.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Observe the Fuel Tank Pressure sensor parameter with a scan tool.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure sensor parameter within the specified range?

-1 and +1 in H20

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 8

4

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the EVAP canister. Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Replacement .
  3. Remove the EVAP vent valve from the EVAP canister. Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Vent Solenoid Valve Replacement .
  4. With the EVAP canister removed from the vehicle, connect the EVAP vent valve electrical connector.
  5. Turn ON the ignition with the engine OFF.
  6. Important: 

       • The EVAP Vent Solenoid Command parameter may not change states when using the EVAP Vent Solenoid output control.
       • The DTCs may need to be cleared if the output control does not operate.

  7. Command the EVAP vent valve ON and OFF with a scan tool.

Does the EVAP vent valve open and close?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 6

5

  1. Remove the fresh air inlet cover from the EVAP canister.
  2. Inspect the fresh air inlet for a restriction or a blockage.
  3. Inspect the fresh air inlet filter for a restriction or a blockage.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 7

6

Replace the EVAP vent valve. Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Vent Solenoid Valve Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 9

--

7

Replace the EVAP canister. Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 9

--

8

Replace the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor. Refer to Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 9

--

9

Important: Do not exceed the specified value in this step. Exceeding the specified value may produce incorrect test results.

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Connect all disconnected components.
  3. Connect the J 41413-200 Evaporative Emissions System Tester (EEST) power supply clips to a known good 12-volt source.
  4. Install the J 41415-40 Fuel Tank Cap Adapter to the fuel fill pipe.
  5. Connect the J 41413-200 Nitrogen/Smoke Supply Hose to the J 41415-40 .
  6. Turn ON the ignition with the engine OFF.
  7. Important: 

       • The EVAP Vent Solenoid Command parameter may not change states when using the EVAP Vent Solenoid output control.
       • The DTCs may need to be cleared if the output control does not operate.

  8. Command the EVAP vent solenoid closed with a scan tool.
  9. Turn the nitrogen/smoke valve on the J 41413-200 control panel to NITROGEN.
  10. Use the remote switch to pressurize the EVAP system to the first specified value.
  11. Observe the Fuel Tank Pressure sensor parameter with a scan tool.
  12. Important: 

       • The EVAP Vent Solenoid Command parameter may not change states when using the EVAP Vent Solenoid output control.
       • The DTCs may need to be cleared if the output control does not operate.

  13. Command the EVAP vent solenoid open with a scan tool.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure sensor parameter less than the second parameter?

5 in H2O

1 in H2O

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 2

10

  1. Clear the DTCs with a scan tool.
  2. Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?

 

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

System OK