Getting code p0446

Just came on today. Went and got the code checked at auto zone. Only code shown is p0446. It says replace the charcoal cannister. Anyone got any experience with this? Looked up some online videos but it appears my 2004 tacoma looks different under the hood then 2002s in the video. Can't even really tell where the charcoal cannister is located.

 

What is "it"?

 

Most common cause of P0446 in an 04 Tacoma is purge selnoid valve located on driver side engine compartment at top of wheel well. The vacuum switching valve is an easy fix.

 

And change your brake fluid it's freeking filthy

 

Canister is under the truck, usually close to the fuel tank.
Possibility of it being bad is low UNLESS you overfill the tank or have had a major fuel system issue.

check the lines and vac plugs first. All good, proceed with the cheapest part first.

 

Your charcoal canister is on top of your gas tank. Not the easiest to replace. Bed will have to be removed or the tank dropped. Easier to remove the bed - at least that is what I recall from other posts.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-replacing-the-charcoal-canister.387775/

May not necessarily be your charcoal canister. Rule everything out first.

 

Anyway to know for sure? With some kind of test?

 

Learned from a guy on here that a lot of the black crap actually floats its way up to the reservoir. So even if you don't want to do a flush, which you definitely should, but even to turkey blaster out the reservoir and refill it with clean new stuff is better than nothing

 

Hold up. P0446 doesn't say 'replace the charcoal canister'. It says this:
P0446 Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Circuit Malfunction. The code P0446 is set when the engine computer recognizes a fault or restriction at the vent control part of the Evaporative emission control system

 

That's just what auto zones computer said under the code.

 

I have some ss brake lines I've been waiting to put on. Haha. Have new brake fluid ready to go. I swear lol.

 

They never are that simple. None of the codes are specifically - "this is it!". OP needs to do some investigation and rule out as much as possible. The link I added, that OP even mentions working to rule out but in his case, it did end up being the charcoal canister. Link again (https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-replacing-the-charcoal-canister.387775/)

 

Okay, I'm glad to read this after your original post. Drive me nuts when folks get told a certain DTC means to just replace something. None of the DTCs say to replace something. They report a symptom or condition that's been detected outside of the norm, so to speak.
So yeah, you're on track with the wanting to test. The FSM shows how to test the VSV. apply vacuum to a port while giving the solenoid 12V and seeing if the valve opens or closes or something like that. There is probably a post covering the testing of this DTC already as well. I'll take a peek and see if I find a good one real quick

 

The purge selnoid can be tested with a 9volt battery but often work intermittently in actual service. It's a $36 part on Amazon. The gas cap seal and filler neck sealing surface are #2 common cause of EVAP codes.

 

Perfecto. Funny how the universe balances everything out

 

Can the purge valve make loud, like real LOUD click type noises?

 

Your username BTW

 

Yes but the clicking doesn't mean it is allowing proper EVAP flow.

 

They just want to sell you the most expensive parts possible. Preying on panic from the dreaded check engine light.

 

Toyota 25860-75230 Vapor Canister Purge Solenoid

$54 TOYOTA 25860-75230 Vapor Canister Purge Solenoid

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KTKF86W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IIDlEbXXFZ7JZ

$83? Seem about right?