Ford Repair: ENGINE LIGHT, chiltons repair manual, emission control system

Question
Bob

Thank you for getting back to me, can you please tell me where these charcol canisters are located.  

Also, do you know what a canister vent solenoid is or the Engine Vent solenoid.  Someone told me this is what the problem is. Again, I dont want to change parts to find out the problem.  

I will go with the charcol canisters if this is the direction that I should go, but again I need the location -

Thanks for all of your help

Ken


Followup To
Question -
Bob

Hi, I hope you can help me, I own a 1998 Ford
contour. My check engine light is on. The trouble code is P0446.  I have been told that the problem is everying from an oxygen sensor to and engine
inline selenoid. I dont want to keep on changing
parts. There must be a common problem with 6 cylinder contours to make this code appear. I have already changed the gas cap.

Do you know what the main cause is for this trouble code or do you have any friends that would know -

Thanks

Ken
Answer -
Ken,
The code your getting po446 is the Evaporative Emission Control system vent control circuit malfunction. This means that one or both your charcol canisters is bad. They are normally located in the engine compartment, on the inside of the fender wall. They look like a coffee can, but they are black in color with vacume lines going to it. You should have the vehicle serviced at another garage. I dont blame you, changing parts are expensive. You can also reset the check engine lite,remove the positive battery cable for 5 minutes and re hook up. This will reset the lite, if the lite comes back on then you know what has to be changed. Thanks,, and hope this helps.. Sincerly Robert James..  

Answer
They both should be located in the engine comparment, located in the inside of the fender wall, either,, the right side or left. They are both black in color. If you cant find them, then a good Chiltons repair manual would help you also in your search. If you cant find it, then I will try to see what other help there is for you.. Thanks..