Ford Repair: CANISTER VENT SOLENOID, fuel filler cap, canister purge valve

Question
Dennis

Your my last hope, I have a 1998 FORD CONTOUR,
6 CYL. It has only 28,000 miles on it and the Check engine light comes on. The trouble code
is PO446. I have been told to replace the
Canister vent solenoid. Do you agree with this,
or is it something else. There is no listing for
a canister vent solenoid, or where its located.

Please help

thanks

Ken

Answer
Here are the first steps for this code. To say it is the vent solenoid without further tests is a bit of a strecth. I don't think I ever saw this code in 20 years with Ford.

Testing the EVAP system is a hard, time consuming and most times disappointing task. Many techs hate doing that type of work. Many of the test require special equipment.

This vent solenoid on your vehicle is on or near the right side of the fuel tank.


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.

Check for kinks or bends in the fuel vapor hoses/tubes (EVAP canister purge outlet tube and EVAP canister tube).
Visually inspect EVAP canister inlet port, CV solenoid filter and canister vent hose assembly for contamination or debris.
Check CV solenoid filter for blockage or contamination.
Is a fault indicated?
Yes  No  
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.