Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting CEL code help

Had the CEL this weekend, seems to be running fine, got the code scanned and it came up as this:

P0446 Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Circuit Malfunction

I searched the archives extensively and did not find this at all. Anybody have some suggestions?!

Tried to take it to the stealership today and their next available time wasn't until July 8th! Do you guys typically have that long to wait for servicing at your dealers?

HX18 DTC P0446 OR P1450: CHECK FOR VISUAL CAUSES OF EXCESSIVE FUEL TANK VACUUM

Continuous Memory Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0446 or P1450 indicates that Self-Test has detected the Evaporative Emission Control System has excessive fuel tank vacuum.

Possible causes:

-- EVAP canister purge outlet tube (EVAP canister purge valve to EVAP canister) blockages or kinks.

-- EVAP canister tube (fuel tank to EVAP canister) blockages or kinks.

-- Fuel vapor elbow on EVAP canister contaminated.

-- Restricted EVAP canister.

-- Canister vent (CV) solenoid stuck closed (partially or fully).

-- Plugged or contaminated CV solenoid filter.

-- EVAP canister purge valve stuck open.

-- Fuel filler cap stuck closed (no vacuum relief).

-- VREF circuit open in fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor.

-- Damaged FTP sensor.

NOTE:
If the EVAP canister-CV solenoid and fuel tank assemblies are not accessible to perform the following step, GO to the Powertrain/Engine Group, Evaporative Emissions Section in the Workshop Manual for removal procedures.

l Check for kinks or bends in the fuel vapor hoses/tubes (EVAP canister purge outlet tube and EVAP canister tube).

l Visually inspect EVAP canister inlet port, CV solenoid filter and canister vent hose assembly for contamination or debris.

l Check CV solenoid filter for blockage or contamination.

l Is a fault indicated?

Yes
REMOVE any contamination or debris around fuel vapor hoses/tubes and EVAP canister- CV solenoid assembly. REMOVE kinks or bends in EVAP canister purge outlet tube, EVAP canister tube and canister vent hose assembly. GO to �«HX19�».

No
GO to �«HX19�».


Dealer, schmealer... Our car hasn't seen a dealer except for recall and body (hail) work in over 5 years...


Steve

Wow, that's a great description, I sat down with the Chilton's and figured out what I am going to do. And as another note, this would explain the fuelling problem I had before. I posted last week that I couldn't fuel and assumed it was due to the flapper valve being stuck due to vapor pressure buildup, and that is exactly what that canister is supposed to do. Odd that the CEL would come on a week later tho, maybe the valve is stuck and the pressure got to the point of triggering the sensor.

As for taking it to the dealer...I just moved here to Gillette Wyoming last month and don't really know where else to go. Didn't even know they had places in the US that could read the code for free, so that was even new to me.

But thanks for the help, greatly appreciated as usual