SPONSORED LINKS

Code PO446, Failed California Smog

Tiny
JAYNIE WHITTED
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 LEXUS ES 300
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 229,237 MILES
I failed functional check.
I failed Emissions Test.
I failed OBD System checks.
I failed no PPM.
MAX IS 424 and 711, mine is 1195 and 1498.
OBD Fault codes from smog check is PO446.

Anyone know anything that can help me with this?
SPONSORED LINKS
Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 AT 7:18 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

The code P0446 is due to faulty vent control for the Evaporative emission system. This is likely triggered the results to be out of the range.
This issue can be triggered due to a number of factors. It can be because of a wiring issue for the vent control, faulty pressure sensor, cracked hoses, bad charcoal canister etc.

The best way to figure out the issue is to take a step-by-step approach of looking at the possible causes.

I have attached the trouble shooting steps for the code P0446 below.
Go through this as it can help you pinpoint the issue.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/evap-system-code-repair
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 AT 10:26 PM
Tiny
JAYNIE WHITTED
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
What about the functional test failure?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 AT 4:30 PM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
The functional test on a smog test simply means that the technician will look for if the check engine light is illuminated. If it is illuminated or has other warning lights then the vehicle will fail the functional test.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 AT 5:33 PM
Tiny
JAYNIE WHITTED
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Okay, thanks. You cannot see the light must be burned out.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 AT 6:44 PM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Even if the light is burned out the scanner will pickup the active code. Which tells them the state of the functional test.
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 AT 8:13 PM
Tiny
JAYNIE WHITTED
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Okay, now I have some more questions. Here is the result of the scan that was done on my car:
MID $02 CID $01
MID $02 CID $0A
MID $02 CID $7F
MID $04 CID $3D
MID $05 CID $46
Do you know what any of this means?
I sure as heck do not.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 AT 8:48 PM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Those are just freeze frame data from the scanner. They can be triggered due to various reasons.
I have included the descriptions below.

MID $02 CID $01 : Monitor status since DTCs cleared
MID $02 CID $0A : Fuel pressure
MID $02 CID $7F : Engine run time
MID $04 CID $3D : Catalyst temperature B2-S1
MID $05 CID $46 : Ambient air temperature
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 AT 10:06 PM
Tiny
JAYNIE WHITTED
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thanks I am just trying not to get burned at mechanics thinking they can tell me any old thing.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 13th, 2022 AT 10:13 AM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Sure no problem.
Let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, January 13th, 2022 AT 11:26 AM
Tiny
JAYNIE WHITTED
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Okay, I have 1 more question I think. So, the OBD fault code was P0446 you already told me about that my question is if my smog check vir has all the things that failed or passed on it and it says vacuum lines sensors/switches passed andwiring to sensors passed, fuel evaporative controls passed, oxygen sensor passed, other emissions related components passed and everything else other than the OBD System checks passed. Can I not rule out a sensor or vacuum line or wiring to sensors in relation to the P0446 fault code? I am sorry if this is a stupid question I am just trying to understand.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 13th, 2022 AT 1:50 PM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
I think that is a valid question. And the answer is, it depends on their testing procedure for those items they said were good.
So, it is possible to rule out those given the test facility checked for those specifically.
From what I have seen, many times the issues are due to the sensor or bad wiring, as dirt and debris can get in the connector and make it not work properly.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, January 13th, 2022 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
JAYNIE WHITTED
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thanks a lot.
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 13th, 2022 AT 5:24 PM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
You are welcome.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 14th, 2022 AT 6:15 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related P0446 Content

Sponsored links