check engine light help
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 48
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From: tx
check engine light help
Is there any way my PO446 code could be related to my starting problem? Sometimes the check engine light goes off on its own and it seems to start okay then. I can't see how they are related but they seem to occur together for a while now.
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2002
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From: Georgia
P0446 is related to emission " Evaporative emission control system malfunction) and it's got to do with your charcoal canister or related item. This code can caused by a loose gas cap, loose evap hose or just a sensor malfunction. It's got nothing to do with your starting problem.
Lexus Test Driver
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From: il
Originally Posted by VVT-i
P0446 is related to emission " Evaporative emission control system malfunction) and it's got to do with your charcoal canister or related item. This code can caused by a loose gas cap, loose evap hose or just a sensor malfunction. It's got nothing to do with your starting problem.
To answer your questions and without getting into it too deep, yes-it is possible they are related. Could be many things with your evaporative system which could cause a variety of problems from stumbling, dying at idle, poor overall running, and difficulty starting under certain conditions. P0446 could also be a minor issue that triggered the code and is not the cause of your starting problem. Best bet is to do a under hood inspection of all of the small hoses from the intake system. If everything appears ok, then you need to look further into it such as gas cap, canister, valve,etc…..
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Arizona
First check for a green plastic cap loose in your evap system. Refer to the vacuum routing diagram sticker under the hood. This is your evap system test port. Don't overtighten, as the cap may crack. Just snug, there's a rubber seal inside. On mine, it's located just behind and to the car center of the air filter... inside left corner looking at the air filter container box. The cap is comparable in size to the grey A/C high and low test port caps..
The engine cover can be removed by unscrewing the "L" in it's center, and the 5mm allen nuts. Lift off the cover and carefully inspect your vacuum connections, comparing to the vacuum hose diagram sticker under the hood. Listen for the leak with the cover removed. I've found that gently breaking the hose edge loose prior to twisting the hose on it's nipple minimizes nipple breakage. But, the plastic may be brittle, so don't mess with them unless you hear a leak. The Vacuum Control Valves (VCV) are costly.
The engine cover can be removed by unscrewing the "L" in it's center, and the 5mm allen nuts. Lift off the cover and carefully inspect your vacuum connections, comparing to the vacuum hose diagram sticker under the hood. Listen for the leak with the cover removed. I've found that gently breaking the hose edge loose prior to twisting the hose on it's nipple minimizes nipple breakage. But, the plastic may be brittle, so don't mess with them unless you hear a leak. The Vacuum Control Valves (VCV) are costly.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2002
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From: Georgia
Originally Posted by koolaidman
replace the canaster
Oh, BTW, I looked up on his profile before I've posted my first reply.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: il
Originally Posted by VVT-i
Just replace the canister..huh???. What about those VSV on top of the intake, cracked hose or loose evap hose by the air filter housing.?
Oh, BTW, I looked up on his profile before I've posted my first reply.
Oh, BTW, I looked up on his profile before I've posted my first reply.
Originally Posted by sexilexi
Okay, now it won't start at all and the starter is making a loud pop every time I try to crank it.
Smell anything under the hood? Battery charged? Load test? Battery cables to starter ok?
Any funny noises from starter before?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: tx
The battery is brand new. Cables look okay as far as I can tell. The starter pops pretty loud just once when I try to start it. In the past when it had trouble starting it might have made a slight single click, but it always started after a few tries.
Well at this time without the car in front of me all I can go off of is your posts.
But first thing I would do is check the battery (regardless if it is new-could be drained). or put it in another car to ensure it starts up the car fine. Once that is out of the equation and you are sure the starter is making the noise, then I would suspect the starter. Diagnostics is a process of elimination and dismissing items because they are new ,etc. may prolong with process.
if you suspect the starter you can have it bench tested at an Kragen or Autozone.
Should be fairly easy to get to in your car.
But first thing I would do is check the battery (regardless if it is new-could be drained). or put it in another car to ensure it starts up the car fine. Once that is out of the equation and you are sure the starter is making the noise, then I would suspect the starter. Diagnostics is a process of elimination and dismissing items because they are new ,etc. may prolong with process.
if you suspect the starter you can have it bench tested at an Kragen or Autozone.
Should be fairly easy to get to in your car.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 48
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From: tx
Thanks, I'm pretty sure it's not the battery because I also tried to jump start it with one of those portable battery jump things and nothing changed. I'm going to use a voltmeter to the starter and see if its getting any juice.