Camry Charcoal Canister and VSV Valve

[THarms]

Does anyone know where these are located? Are they in the engine compartment or near the gas tank?

[mustang67408]

It is in the rear of the vehicle above the rear crossmember.
Here is a pic of location.

[THarms]

Thxs for the picture... I'm getting an OBD error P046. Replaced the gas cap and have reset the computer numerous times but usually within a day or so the check engine light comes back on. Finally took it to the dealer last week. They replaced the gas cap, reset the computer and tried to charge my $100.... I told them I had already replaced the gas cap and that wasn't the cause. They then did some sort of pressure (or vacuum?) test on the fuel system. It apparently passed the test. They took the car for a drive (~10-miles) and could not get the light to come back on. They said it could be the VSV and/or the charcoal canister, but there is not a procedure for testing them, they just have to replace them and see if it fixes it... Replacement cost (incl labor) would be ~$800+ . Naturally, the light came back on as I was driving it home (~20-miles). Now to top it off, I'm really mad as they have done something to the on-board computer and I cannot read it or reset it with my handheld OBD reader.... at first I thought it was a problem with my reader (low batteries?) but plugged it into my other 2 toyota's and it worked fine.

So my questions to the forum are: Are there testing procedures for checking the Vapor Pressure Sensor, VSV and Charcoal Trap?? Or is the service manager telling me the truth, that basically its just trial and error (and a whole lot of labor $$). If it is the Charcoal Trap, does the gas tank have to come out in order to replace it?? Looks like a tight fit if it doesn't...

[mustang67408]

I am assuming your Solara is a V-6.
There is a TSB for you 99 solara pertaining to the code p0446.
See attatchment.
There is a procedure in the manual for testing all this evaporative stuff. Some dealerships just really make me mad!! Toyota has a special service tool for this (Evap Pressure tester).
The cost to replace the Vac control valve in the TSB should be no more than 1 hour labor + the cost of the part.
If you can use pliers and read, then I suggest you buy the Vacuum control Valve, and follow the instructions in the ATTACHMENT I HAVE PROVIDED. This usually takes care of the problem. It is easy to tell when you have the toyota scan tool, and know what your looking for. The canister sometimes is the problem also. But P0446 by itself is NEVER a gas cap.
In order to change the charcoal canister, you just have to remove the muffler, unbolt the canister and it slides right out, again no more than 1 hr labor charge.
#2 attatchment is another TSB, if there was more than 1 code (p0446)
If there were 3 codes (p0440/p0441/p0446) then this TSB would apply.
Again, no more than 1 hr labor to change the Vapor ressure Sensor in TSB#2
Hope this helps
Let me know
Victor

[THarms]

Great Stuff!! Just what I needed to know...

I'm only getting the P0446 code, so will procede with the first TSB. I'll bet that fixes it.

[mustang67408]

please keep us informed,
Thanx

[THarms]

Ordered the Vacuum Control Valve today from another toyota dealership that I typical mailorder parts from. Cost: $17.98

TSB shows a replacement time of 0.2hrs... even if it takes me an hour (or two), I will still be much better off than anywhere near where the dealer was quoting... will let you know if it works once the part arrives later this week.

[pondyyuan]

Hi,

I am new to this forum. I owned a 2000 Camry CE and only 42K on it. Last week, the check engine light was on. I checked the error code: P0446. I took it to the dealer. I was told the problem was the leaking charcoal canister and costed me $400. However, there is one TSB: EG013-03 related with this problem. Is that for charcoal canister or something else? I also searched the internet. It seemed the bad charcoal canister is a common problem for Camry. Is that possible I could get some refund from Toyota because of that?

Moderator Notation - Threads merged due to similar topics for better exposure. If you have any questions please let me know.

Peid

[mustang67408]

Originally Posted by pondyyuan

Hi,

I am new to this forum. I owned a 2000 Camry CE and only 42K on it. Last week, the check engine light was on. I checked the error code: P0446. I took it to the dealer. I was told the problem was the leaking charcoal canister and costed me $400. However, there is one TSB: EG013-03 related with this problem. Is that for charcoal canister or something else? I also searched the internet. It seemed the bad charcoal canister is a common problem for Camry. Is that possible I could get some refund from Toyota because of that?

Moderator Notation - Threads merged due to similar topics for better exposure. If you have any questions please let me know.

Peid

Yes the CCV valve the TSB refers to is part of the Canister system.
CCV= closed canister valve. They stick closed most of ther time, and dont perform their job by DUTY CYCLING. (on/off/on/off ect.......)Causing the check engine light.
It is possible that the canister was leaking, but hard to tell from where i sit (sorry). If the light comes back on and the same code appears, take it back to them and show them the TSB.

[pondyyuan]

Thank you for the answer. I was a little confused. Is the CCV a part of Charcoal canister? In another word, if the dealer changed charcoal canister, did CCV also be changed?

[THarms]

Correct me if I'm wrong here Mustang.... but according to the TSB's, if just code P0446 reads out then it is most likely just the VCV (Vacuum Control Valve). If there is code P0446 plus another code, then it is more likely a defective CCV or a plugged carbon canister.

An update on mine... I finally received the correct VCV part in the mail today (dealership sent the wrong part the first time... even though I had read them off the exact part number I needed ). But my wife did not get home from work until late so haven't had a chance to install it yet.

Question: now since my car was at the dealership a few weeks ago, my handheld ODB reader will not work on this car, even though it still works just fine on all my other Toyota's. Any ideas what the dealership may have done to it?

[tundrabrad]

This is also a problem with the 2004 Camry 4cyl. We had a problem right out of the gate with a new car. The problem was traced (after 3 trips to the dealer) to a deformed hose in the charcoal cannister assembly that is now covered by a TSB for cannister assembly replacement.

They will always tell you it's the gas cap first!

Brad

[mustang67408]

Originally Posted by THarms

Correct me if I'm wrong here Mustang.... but according to the TSB's, if just code P0446 reads out then it is most likely just the VCV (Vacuum Control Valve). If there is code P0446 plus another code, then it is more likely a defective CCV or a plugged carbon canister.
This depends on the vehicle and year/make/model.The 99 Solara and the 2000 Camry have different evap systems.1 tsb does not relate to the other or vice/verse.
Question: now since my car was at the dealership a few weeks ago, my handheld OBD reader will not work on this car, even though it still works just fine on all my other Toyota's. Any ideas what the dealership may have done to it?]NO i sure don't, sorry.

TSB EG013-03 (not for 99 solaras)
It is confusing the way it reads. but the CCV and the VSV are 1 in the same, in the TSB EG013-03
They list the part #'s of the CCV(VSV's). The only difference is the make /model/yr and engine. That is why there are 2 operation codes.1 is for V-6 and certain new 4cyls & 1 is for old 4 cyl (5s-fe Camry).
PONDY:
The CCV(VSV) is located on the air cleaner box. It shows it in the TSB.
THARMS:
Your VSV goes at the back of the car on the canister itself.
You need to have the scan tool to test each compnent in the "ACTIVE TEST MODE". The TSB(eg013) just tells you there is a problem with the CCV(VSV) and that it should be looked at first. Code P0446 by itself or in any combination with P0440 and /or P0441 could also be the CCV (VSV).
Once a know good CCV(VSV) is in place then the rest of the system can be checked. (It is a very long drawn out proccess)
Depending on the year and make of the vehicle, each one has it own quirks about what triggers what code.
I dont care about the WAY it is supposed to work. I know the WAY it does work. Just cause it says it is supposed to work a certain way on paper, doesnt mean it does in the real world cituation.
There was a Highlander with a P0446. CCV(VSV) was new, Canister was new.
Ecu was new (all swapped from a know good vehicle). Toyota tester showed NO leaks(vapor pressure sensor) and all wiring ohmed checked =ok.
Guess what was wrong? GIVE UP: There was an aftermarket amp SCREWED to the rear floor. 2 screws went thru the fuel tank. When the amp was cool the screws sealed, when the amp got warm/hot the screws leaked. Soto me every car is its own special case, and the TSB's and reference materials are only guide lines.
Sorry for being long winded.

[THarms]

Installed the VCV this first thing this morning (took me about 20-min... sure isn't much room to to get your hands in there to work with the rear axle alway in the way!). Had to reset the computer by disconnecting the battery cable. Have now put about 20-miles on the car since and still no light Keeping my fingers crossed that this solved the problem!! Will keep you updated.

[mustang67408]

got my fingers , toes and ears crossed for you