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For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2006 🢒 ION 🢒 Restraints 🢒 SIR 🢒 DTC P0446

DTC Descriptor

DTC P0446: Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Vent System Performance

Diagnostic Fault Information

Important: Always perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.

Circuit/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 inch H2O in a calibrated time, this DTC sets.

FTP Sensor Signal Voltage

Fuel Tank Pressure

Low, Approximately less than 1.5 V

Positive Pressure

High, Approximately more than 1.5 V

Negative Pressure/Vacuum

Conditions for Running the DTC
    • DTCs P0030, P0036, P0106, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0120, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0128, P0130, P0131, P0132, P0133, P0134, P0135, P0136, P0137, P0138, P0140, P0141, P0220, P0442, P0443, P0449, P0452, P0453, P0455, P0502, P0562, P0563, P0641, P0651, P1133, P1134 are not set.
    • 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 between 4-30°C (39-86°F).
    • The start-up ECT and IAT are within 8°C (14.4°F) of each other.
    • The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) is less than 137 km/h (85 mph).
    • The purge solenoid valve is enabled.
    • DTC P0446 runs once per trip when the above conditions have been met within 17 minutes of start-up.

Conditions for Setting the DTC
    • The FTP sensor is more than 8 inches H2O vacuum for 2 seconds during the 13 minute test.
        OR
    • The FTP is less than -2.5 inches H2O or more than +5 inches H2O for 3 seconds after a cold start ignition ON.
    • The fuel tank vacuum is greater than 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 a purge solenoid command with a scan tool will allow vacuum to be applied to the system instead of pressure. With the engine running, the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve open, and the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve commanded to 100 percent, the fuel tank vacuum should not increase to more than 8 inches H2O.
    • An EVAP canister filter that is restricted can cause this DTC to set. Refer to Evaporative Emission System Cleaning .
    • Disconnecting one component at a time while the EVAP system is under flow will help to pinpoint a restriction in the system.
    • Reviewing the Failure Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.
    • For intermittent conditions, refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections .

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

    •  Evaporative Emissions Hose Routing Diagram
    •  Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

    •  Engine Control Module Connector End Views
    •  Engine Controls Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

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

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Output Controls

Special Tools Required

    • GE-41415-50 Interrupted Thread Fuel Tank Cap Adapter
    • J 41413-200 (J 41413-100) Evaporative Emissions System Tester (EEST)

Circuit/System Verification

With the engine running, the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve open and the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve commanded to 100 percent, the fuel tank vacuum should not increase to more than 8 inches H2O.

Circuit/System Testing

Important: Refer to the J 41413-200 (J 41413-100) operation manual for detailed instructions.

  1. Inspect the EVAP vent system for a restriction.
  2. Inspect the FTP sensor signal voltage on the scan tool to be 1-2 volts with the system vented.
    3. ⇒If the FTP sensor signal voltage is above 3 volts, test the low reference circuit of the FTP sensor for a high resistance or an open.
  3. Test the low reference circuit of the FTP sensor for an open or for high resistance.
  4. With the GE-41415-50 , connect the J 41413-200 (J 41413-100) to the fuel filler neck.
  5. Start the engine.
  6. Allow the engine to idle.
  7. Use the Purge/Seal function to seal the system with a scan tool.
  8. Command the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve to 20 percent.
  9. Observe the vacuum/pressure gage on the J 41413-200 (J 41413-100) and the FTP parameter on the scan tool.
  10. 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 (J 41413-100).
    11. ⇒If the values are not similar or the voltage did not reach 3.2 volts, replace the FTP sensor.

Repair Instructions

Important: Always perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for engine control module (ECM) replacement, setup, and programming
    •  Evaporative Emission System Cleaning

Repair Verification

Important: 

   • 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 (J 41413-100) operation manual for detailed instructions.

With the engine running, the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve open and the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve commanded to 100 percent, the fuel tank vacuum should not increase to more than 8 inches H2O.