faithanne19

Hey, I need a lot of help. I am a young girl who is DONE getting ripped off by all these mechanics and body shops. Ive been doing a lot of work my self-everything in the car runs amazing, she only has 78,500 miles on her except for one code that wont go away.
Code- P0446
OEM Brand-Domestic
Definition
EVAP (evaporative emission system) purge/vent solenoid circuit condition
Explanation
The solenoids and system wiring are monitored for opens or shorts
Probable cause
1. Pure or vent solenoids defective
2. Check connector and wiring
3. Fuel saturated vapor canister
4. Failed EVAP vent solenoid

I really need help LOCATING 1-4, Ive tried googling and youtubing it and just have no success. Also please tell me what I need to do to fix this and or these problems myself if thats possible.

No matter where I go they tell me something different, one time its $1100 the enxt its theres no problems we can find.....

PLEASE HELP ME SOMEBODY i dont have a dad or brothers (((((((((((((

parkers Z28

Welcome to camaroz28.com
There's a lot of guys on here who know there stuff ...unfortunately I'm not one of them
But I can give you some guidance to get there.....post your problems
In in a different section ( you have posted in new member section )
Try to pick an area that best fits your problems. ..you will have better chance of getting to one of the resident experts. ...
Do a search on here for shoebox and click on some of the links in his signature. ....
InJuneer may move this for you ... and shed some of his knowledge

JakeRobb

I've moved this to General 1967-2002 F-Body Tech.

There are a few people around here that ought to be able to help.

JakeRobb

(To avoid confusion, I’ve deleted the content of this post, which suggested that LT1-specific info from Shoebox's site might at least point her in the right direction.)

Injuneer

Unfortunately, 98-02 is a lot more complicated than that.

Appears you have the generic GM code definition, and that is not consistent with the actual P0446 code description in the factory service manual for the F-Body LS1 engine. I will caution that I do not have the 1999 factory manual, but I do have the 1998 and 2000 manuals, and they are identical with respect to this code.

P0446 = Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Vent System Performance

Rather than being a simple electrical issue on a solenoid circuit, it is a complicated test run by the PCM to determine the ability of the EVAP system to contain a specific vacuum level related to the EVAP system. The PCM runs a diagnostic that applies a predetermined level of vacuum to the EVAP system, then monitors the vacuum decay rate. The code sets if the decay rate is greater than a predetermined value. The code can also set if the vacuum present in the EVAP system is greater than a predetermined value.

The detailed analysis of the code logic tree indicates that the following could be the causes of this code:

- loose, missing or incorrect fuel fill cap (CHECK THIS FIRST ! ! ! )

- incorrectly routed or defective EVAP system vacuum and vapor lines

- stuck closed EVAP vent line

- restricted or blocked EVAP system hose

- restricted or stuck closed fuel tank rollover valve

- malfunctioning or damaged vapor canister

This makes the analysis and repair a bit more complicated.

The attachments below shoe the location of components, routing of the hoses and the electric circuitry. This is 1998. There may be minor differences for 1999.... I don't know.

NOTE - Working on the rest of the attachment pdf's. Will post shortly.

Injuneer

Purge Valve (solenoid) - Both the 1998 and 2000 manuals show the same location, driver side of engine, middle of the intake manifold.

Vent Valve (solenoid) - This valve is part of the charcoal canister. In 1998 the canister was located in the driver side rear fender well. In 2000 it is shown mounted to the fuel tank. I suspect is was moved when the fuel tank was changed from metal to plastic. Don't know which location for the 1999.

JakeRobb

Just to reiterate something Fred said: before you do anything else, make sure your gas cap is on securely. I didn't realize P0446 was that code!

BandDirector Blk98ZM6

It's not just a matter of making sure it's on securely, I'd start by replacing it with a new OEM gas cap...NOT an aftermarket cap. I haven't had this issue with my Z28, but I had an '04 Saturn that threw the EVAP code and an aftermarket cap would NOT fix it. Ended up going to the Saturn dealer (actually, the dealer that had bought all the local dealer's Saturn parts after they went under) to get the OEM replacement. Try an OEM (NOT oem equivalent) cap and see how that does...

Fatdog2

WOW.I just wanted to replace my gas cap on my 04 Vue because it was loose so I bought an aftermarket gas cap and it threw a light up on the dash.Put the original back on and no light.I'm oem here to.My02.

BandDirector Blk98ZM6

...off topic slightly, but there were even 2 OEM gas cap options on my '04 Vue...I had to look and see if I had a metal filler or plastic filler tube and that determined which OEM cap I needed!

Fatdog2

I didn't know this.Great info,thanks.