P0446 on Pontiac
Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Circuit
P0446 on Pontiac vehicles indicates evaporative emission control system vent control circuit. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Pontiac model — most commonly on Vibe. This emissions code points to a problem in the evaporative emission (EVAP) system's vent control circuit, which manages the vent valve that lets the charcoal canister breathe and seals it during leak tests. The EVAP system captures fuel vapors from the tank to keep them out of the atmosphere, and the vent valve must open and close on command for the system to work and self-test. The code sets when the engine computer detects an electrical or performance fault with this vent valve or its circuit. It usually causes only a check engine light with no driveability change, but it does prevent proper EVAP leak monitoring. Typical repair costs on Pontiac range from $100 to $700, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0446
- •Faulty EVAP vent control valve (solenoid)
- •Wiring or connector fault in the vent valve circuit
- •Vent valve clogged with dirt, debris, or spider webs
- •Damaged or corroded vent valve connector
- •Blocked or pinched vent hose or filter
- •Faulty charcoal canister assembly
- •Faulty engine control module driver circuit
P0446 on Pontiac by Model
Pontiac Vibe(1 issue)
- EVAP System Faults — Charcoal Canister and Vent VSV Failure (P0440/P0441/P0446)2003-2010
The Toyota-designed EVAP system used across the Vibe range is prone to the vacuum switching valve (VSV) on the charcoal canister sticking from dirt and weather exposure, and to the canister itself failing or becoming saturated, often after repeated fuel-tank topping-off. The result is the persistent check-engine-light trio P0440/P0441/P0446 (sometimes P0442), refueling problems where the pump nozzle clicks off repeatedly, and an automatic emissions-test failure in inspection states. This is one of the most common ownership complaints across GenVibe and Toyota Corolla/Matrix communities.
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What does P0446 mean on Pontiac?▼
P0446 stands for "Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Circuit." This emissions code points to a problem in the evaporative emission (EVAP) system's vent control circuit, which manages the vent valve that lets the charcoal canister breathe and seals it during leak tests. The EVAP system captures fuel vapors from the tank to keep them out of the atmosphere, and the vent valve must open and close on command for the system to work and self-test. The code sets when the engine computer detects an electrical or performance fault with this vent valve or its circuit. It usually causes only a check engine light with no driveability change, but it does prevent proper EVAP leak monitoring. On Pontiac specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P0446 on Pontiac vehicles?▼
Common causes on Pontiac: Faulty EVAP vent control valve (solenoid), Wiring or connector fault in the vent valve circuit, Vent valve clogged with dirt, debris, or spider webs, Damaged or corroded vent valve connector, Blocked or pinched vent hose or filter. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0446 on a Pontiac?▼
Repair costs on Pontiac range from $100 to $700, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Pontiac models have P0446 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0446 on 1 Pontiac model: Vibe.