For 1990-2009 cars

### 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 valve Open and the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve 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 valve Closed and the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve 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 solenoid valves.

Control Module Command | EVAP Canister Purge Solenoid Valve | EVAP Canister Vent Solenoid Valve
--- | --- | ---
ON | Open | Closed
OFF | Closed | Open

### DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P0446 Evaporative Emissions (EVAP) Vent System Performance

### Conditions for Running the DTC

• | DTCs P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0121, P0125, P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0135, P0137, P0138, P0140, P0141, P0442, P0443, P0449, P0452, P0453, P0455, P0502, P0503, P1111, P1112, P1114, P1115, P1120 are not set.

• | The ignition voltage is between 10-18 volts.

• | The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 75 kPa.

• | The fuel level is between 15-85 percent.

• | The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is between 4-30°C (39-86°F).

• | The intake air temperature (IAT) is between 4-30°C (39-86°F).

• | The start up ECT and IAT are within 9°C (16°F) of each other.

• | DTC P0446 runs continuously once the above conditions are met.

### Conditions for Setting the DTC

The FTP is not within a calibrated amount for a calibrated period of time.

### 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 3 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 canister vent solenoid valve inlet, or a pinched vent hose. A blockage in the vent system will also cause a poor fuel fill problem.

• | An EVAP canister, vent hose or vent solenoid valve that has restricted flow may cause this DTC to set. Using purge solenoid valve command with a scan tool will allow vacuum to be applied to the system instead of pressure. With the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve open and the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve commanded to 100 percent, vacuum should not increase to more than 9 inches H2O.

• | For intermittent conditions, refer to Intermittent Conditions .

Step | Action | Values | Yes | No
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Schematic Reference: Evaporative Emissions Hose Routing Diagram
1 | Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle? | -- | Go to Step 2 | Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle
2 | Inspect the evaporative emission (EVAP) system for the following conditions:

• | A damaged EVAP canister vent solenoid valve--Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Vent Solenoid Valve Replacement .

• | A pinched EVAP vent hose

• | A damaged EVAP canister--Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Replacement .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 3

3 |

1. Turn OFF the ignition.
2. Disconnect the purge pipe at the EVAP service port.
3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Is the fuel tank pressure sensor parameter within the specified range?

-1 to +1 in H2O

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 8

4 | 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 the EVAP purge line.
3. Connect the J 41413-200 Evaporative Emissions System Tester (EEST) power supply clips to a known good 12-volt source.
4. Install the GE-41415-50 Interrupted Thread Fuel Tank Cap Adapter to the fuel fill pipe.
5. Connect the fuel fill cap to the GE-41415-50 .
6. Connect the J 41413-200 nitrogen/smoke supply hose to the GE-41415-50 .
7. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
8. Command the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve 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 in H2O with a scan tool.
12. Command the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve open with a scan tool.

Is the fuel tank pressure sensor parameter less than the second specified value?

5 in H2O

1 in H2O

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 5

5 | Disconnect the EVAP vent hose from the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve. Is the fuel tank pressure sensor parameter less than the specified value? | 1 in H2O | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 6
6 | Disconnect the EVAP vent hose from the EVAP canister. Is the fuel tank pressure sensor parameter less than the specified value? | 1 in H2O | Go to Step 7 | Go to Step 11
7 | Repair the pinched or restricted EVAP vent hose. Did you complete the repair? | -- | Go to Step 12 | --
8 | Test for poor connections at the harness connector of the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition? | -- | Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 9
9 | Replace the FTP sensor. Refer to Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | -- | Go to Step 12 | --
10 | Replace the EVAP vent solenoid valve. Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Vent Solenoid Valve Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | -- | Go to Step 12 | --
11 | Replace the EVAP canister. Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | -- | Go to Step 12 | --
12 |

1. Turn OFF the ignition.
2. Disconnect the purge line from the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve. Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Purge Solenoid Valve Replacement .
3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Is the fuel tank pressure sensor parameter within the specified range?

-1 to +1 in H2O

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 2

13 | 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. Reconnect all disconnected components.
3. Connect the J 41413-200 to the fuel fill pipe.
4. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
5. Command the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve closed with a scan tool.
6. Turn the nitrogen/smoke valve on the J 41413-200 control panel to NITROGEN.
7. Use the remote switch to pressurize the EVAP system to the first specified value.
8. Observe the fuel tank pressure sensor in H2O with a scan tool.
9. Command the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve open with a scan tool.

Is the fuel tank pressure sensor parameter less than the second specified value?

5 in H2O

1 in H2O

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 2

14 | Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool. Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed? | -- | Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle | System OK