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For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 2009 🢒 Lucerne 🢒 Driver Information and Entertainment 🢒 Cellular, Entertainment, and Navigation 🢒 DTC P0455

Diagnostic Instructions
    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptor

DTC P0455: Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Large Leak

Circuit/System Description

The engine control module (ECM) tests the evaporative emission (EVAP) system for a large leak or restrictions to the purge path in the EVAP system. When the enabling criteria has been met, the ECM commands the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve ON and the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve ON, allowing vacuum into the EVAP system. The ECM monitors the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor voltage to verify that the system is able to reach a predetermined level of vacuum within a set amount of time.

Conditions for Running the DTC
    • DTCs P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0120, P0125, P0442, P0443, P0446, P0449, P0452, P0453, P1111, P1112, P1114, P1115, P1516, P2101, P2119, P2120, P2125, P2135, P2138 are not set.
    • The engine is running.
    • The ignition voltage is between 10-18 volts.
    • The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 74 kPa.
    • The fuel level is between 15-85 percent.
    • The start-up engine coolant temperature (ECT) is less than 30°C (86°F).
    • The start-up intake air temperature (IAT) is less than 30°C (86°F).
    • The start-up ECT and IAT are within 8°C (14°F) of each other.
    • DTC P0455 runs once per cold start within 16 minutes of start-up.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The EVAP system is not able to achieve or maintain vacuum for up to 4 times during the diagnostic test.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTC P0455 is a Type B DTC.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

DTC P0455 is a Type B DTC.

Diagnostic Aids
    • Inspect for a loose, missing, damaged, or incorrect fuel fill cap.
    • Inspect for a damaged fuel filler neck seal surface.
    • A blockage or restriction in the EVAP purge solenoid valve, purge pipe, EVAP canister, or vapor pipe can cause this DTC to set.
    • The EVAP system can be filled with smoke more quickly and completely by opening the system opposite the end where the smoke is injected. For example, when injecting smoke at the service port, remove the fuel fill cap, or temporarily leave the vent open until smoke is observed, then close the system and continue testing. If using a fuel cap adapter at the filler neck, use the J 41413-VLV Fitting at the service port to allow the system to fill faster.
    • To help locate intermittent leaks using the J 41413-200 EEST , move all EVAP components while observing smoke with the J 41413-SPT Light .
    • Individual components can be isolated and tested using adapters in the J 41413-300 Plug Kit .
    • A condition may exist where a leak in the EVAP system only exists under a vacuum condition. This type of leak may be detected by using the scan tool Purge/Seal function to create a vacuum in the EVAP system, then observe the FTP parameter for vacuum decay.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

    •  Evaporative Emissions Hose Routing Diagram
    •  Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Special Tools

    • CH 48096 EVAP Service Access Port Tool
    • GE 41415-50 Fuel Tank Cap Adapter
    • J 41413-200 Evaporative Emission System Tester (EEST)
    • J 41413-300 EVAP Cap and Plug Kit
    • J 41413-311 EVAP Plug
    • J 41413-SPT High Intensity White Light
    • J 41413-VLV EVAP Service Port Vent Fitting

Circuit/System Testing

Note: 

   • Larger volume fuel tanks and/or those with lower fuel levels may require several minutes for the floating indicator to stabilize.
   • Refer to the J 41413-200 operation manual for detailed instructions.

  1. Connect the J 41413-200 EEST to the vehicle EVAP service port. For vehicles without a service port, disconnect the purge tube at the quick connector on the EVAP canister side of the purge solenoid valve and install the CH 48096 Port Tool .
  2. Seal the EVAP system and use the flow meter on the J 41413-200 EEST calibrated to 0.51 mm (0.02 in) to determine that there is no leak in the EVAP system.
    3. ⇒If a leak is detected, use the J 41413-200 EEST to apply smoke to the EVAP system at the service port until the leak is located.
  3. To test for a restriction, connect the J 41413-200 EEST nitrogen/smoke hose to the J 41413-SPT High Intensity White Light brass cone adapter. Disconnect the hose at the fuel cap end of the GE 41415-50 Fuel Tank Cap Adapter . Connect the J 41413-SPT High Intensity White Light to the disconnected hose on the GE 41415-50 Fuel Tank Cap Adapter . Install the GE 41415-50 Fuel Tank Cap Adapter filler neck end only to the vehicle.
  4. Allow the engine to idle.
  5. Use the Purge/Seal function to seal the system with a scan tool.
  6. Command the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve to 30 percent.
  7. The vacuum/pressure gage on the J 41413-200 EEST and the FTP parameter on the scan tool should both show vacuum.
    8. ⇒If the vacuum/pressure gage shows vacuum, but the FTP parameter does not show vacuum, replace the FTP sensor.
    ⇒If neither the FTP parameter nor the vacuum/pressure gage shows vacuum, repair the restriction in the purge path. Refer to Evaporative Emissions Hose Routing Diagram.
  8. Verify that the vacuum increases to the abort limit on the scan tool or more than 3.2 volts, and the value is closely similar between the scan tool and the vacuum/pressure gage on the J 41413-200 EEST .
    9. ⇒If the values are not similar or the voltage did not reach 3.2 volts, replace the FTP sensor.

Repair Instructions
    •  Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Replacement
    •  Evaporative Emission System Cleaning
    •  Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup, and programming