GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2005 🢒 Bonneville 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 3.8L (L36 and L67) 🢒 DTC P0455

System Description

The control module tests the evaporative emission (EVAP) system for a large leak. The control module monitors the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor signal to determine the EVAP system vacuum level. When the conditions for running are met, the control module commands the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve OPEN and the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve CLOSED . This allows engine vacuum to enter the EVAP system. At a calibrated time, or vacuum level, the control module commands the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve closed, sealing the system, and monitors the FTP sensor input in order to determine the EVAP system vacuum level. If the system is unable to achieve the calibrated vacuum level, or the vacuum level decreases too rapidly, this DTC sets.

The following table illustrates the relationship between the ON and OFF states, and the OPEN or CLOSED states of the EVAP canister purge and solenoid vent valves.

Control Module Command

EVAP Canister Purge Solenoid Valve

EVAP Canister Vent Solenoid Valve

ON

Open

Closed

OFF

Closed

Open

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC P0455 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Large Leak

Conditions for Running the DTC
    • DTCs P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0121, P0122, P0123, P0125 if applicable, P0443, P0446, P0449, P0452, P0453, P0496, P0502, P1106, P1107, P1111, P1112, P1114, P1115, P1121, P1122 are not set.
    • The engine is running.
    • The ignition voltage is between 10-18 volts.
    • The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 74 kPa.
    • The fuel level is between 15-85 percent.
    • The start-up engine coolant temperature (ECT) is less than 30°C (86°F).
    • The intake air temperature (IAT) is between 4-30°C (39-86°F).
    • The start-up ECT and IAT are within 9°C (16°F) of each other.
    • The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) is less than 121 km/h (75 mph).

Conditions For Setting the DTC

The EVAP system is not able to achieve or maintain vacuum during the diagnostic test.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
    • The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
    • The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after the first time the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
    • A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
    • A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
    • Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids
    • To help locate intermittent leaks, use the J 41413-200 Evaporative Emission System Tester (EEST) to introduce smoke into the EVAP system. Move all EVAP components while observing smoke with the J 41413-SPT High Intensity White Light.
    • A temporary blockage in the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve, purge pipe, or EVAP canister could cause an intermittent condition. Inspect and repair any restriction in the EVAP system.
    • To improve the visibility of the smoke exiting the EVAP system, observe the suspected leak area from different angles with the J 41413-SPT .
    • Reviewing the Failure Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.
    • For intermittent conditions, refer to Intermittent Conditions .

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step verifies that a failure condition is active.

    2.

  2. Introducing smoke in 15-second intervals may allow smaller leak areas to be more noticeable. When the system is less pressurized, the smoke will sometimes escape in a more condensed manner.

  3. This step verifies proper operation of the FTP sensor.

    4.

  4. A normal operating FTP sensor should increase above 5 inches of H2O and stop between 6-7 inches of H2O.

    5.

  5. This step tests the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve vacuum source between the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve and the intake manifold for restrictions or blockages.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Evaporative Emissions Hose Routing Diagram

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

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Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information

2

  1. Inspect the evaporative emission (EVAP) system for the following conditions:
    2. • Loose, missing, or damaged service port schrader valve
    • Loose, incorrect, missing, or damaged fuel fill cap
    • A damaged EVAP canister purge solenoid valve
  2. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  3. Inspect the EVAP system for the following conditions:
    4. • Disconnected, improperly routed, kinked, or damaged EVAP pipes and hoses
    • A damaged EVAP canister vent solenoid or EVAP canister

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 3

3

Important: Larger volume fuel tanks and/or those with lower fuel levels may require several minutes for the floating indicator to stabilize.

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Connect the J 41413-200 Evaporative Emission System Tester (EEST) power supply clips to a known good 12-volt source.
  3. Turn the nitrogen/smoke valve to nitrogen.
  4. Connect the nitrogen/smoke hose to the 0.5 mm (0.2 in) test orifice on the bottom-front of the J 41413-200 .
  5. Use the remote switch to activate the J 41413-200 .
  6. Align the red flag on the flow meter with the floating indicator. Use the remote switch to de-activate the J 41413-200 .
  7. Install the J 41415-40 Fuel Tank Cap Adapter to the fuel fill pipe.
  8. Install the fuel fill cap to the J 41415-40 .
  9. Remove the nitrogen/smoke hose from the test orifice and install the hose onto the J 41415-40 .
  10. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  11. Command the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve closed with a scan tool.
  12. Use the remote switch to introduce nitrogen and fill the EVAP system until the floating indicator stabilizes.
  13. Compare the flow meter's stable floating indicator position to the red flag.

Is the floating indicator below the red flag?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 4

4

Important: Ensure that the vehicle underbody temperature is similar to the ambient temperature and allow the surrounding air to stabilize before starting the diagnostic procedure. System flow will be less with higher temperatures.

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Connect the J 41413-200 power supply clips to a known good 12-volt source.
  3. Install the J 41415-40 to the fuel fill pipe.
  4. Connect the fuel fill cap to the J 41415-40 .
  5. Connect the J 41413-200 nitrogen/smoke supply hose to the J 41415-40 .
  6. Turn ON the ignition with the engine OFF.
  7. Command the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve closed with a scan tool.
  8. Turn the nitrogen/smoke valve on the J 41413-200 control panel to SMOKE.
  9. Introduce smoke into the EVAP system with the remote switch.
  10. Open the EVAP service port with the J 41413-VLV EVAP Service Port Vent Fitting.
  11. Remove the J 41413-VLV once smoke is observed.
  12. Continue to introduce smoke into the EVAP system for an additional 60 seconds.
  13. Inspect the entire EVAP system for exiting smoke with the J 41413-SPT High Intensity White Light.
  14. Continue to introduce smoke at 15-second intervals until the leak source has been located.

Did you locate and repair a leak source?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 5

5
  1. Disconnect the J 41415-40 from the fuel fill pipe.
  2. Install the fuel fill cap to the fuel fill pipe.
  3. Connect the J 41413-200 nitrogen/smoke supply hose to the EVAP service port.
  4. Introduce smoke into the EVAP system with the remote switch.
  5. Inspect the entire EVAP system for exiting smoke with the J 41413-SPT .
  6. Continue to introduce smoke at 15-second intervals until the leak source has been located.

Did you locate and repair a leak source?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Stop introducing smoke with the remote switch.
  2. Install the J 41415-40 to the fuel fill pipe.
  3. Connect the J 41413-200 nitrogen/smoke supply hose to the J 41415-40 .
  4. Connect the vehicle fuel fill cap to the J 41415-40 .
  5. Command the EVAP canister vent solenoid valve open with a scan tool.
  6. Compare the Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor parameter with a scan tool to theJ 41413-200 pressure/vacuum gage.

Is the difference between the 2 gages less than the specified value?

1 in H2O

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 15

7

  1. Seal the EVAP system using the EVAP Purge/Seal function with a scan tool.
  2. Turn the nitrogen/smoke valve on the J 41413-200 control panel to NITROGEN.
  3. Use the J 41413-200 to pressurize the EVAP system to the first specified value.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor parameter more than the second specified value?

10 in H2O

5 in H2O

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 15

8
  1. Stop introducing nitrogen into the EVAP system with the remote switch.
  2. Increase the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve to 100 percent.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure sensor parameter less than the specified value?

1 in H2O

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 11

9

  1. Connect the nitrogen/smoke hose to the EVAP service port.
  2. Remove the J 41415-40 .
  3. Install the fuel fill cap to the fuel fill pipe.
  4. Start the engine.
  5. Allow the engine to idle.
  6. Use the purge/seal function to seal the system, with a scan tool.
  7. Command the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve to 30 percent.
  8. Observe the vacuum/pressure gage on the J 41413-200 and the FTP parameter on the scan tool.
  9. Allow the vacuum to increase on the gage of the J 41413-200 until it reaches approximately 16 inches H2O.
  10. Use the purge/seal function to seal the system with a scan tool.

Is the FTP parameter on a scan tool within the specified value of the vacuum/pressure gage on the J 41413-200 until the vacuum reached the abort limit on a scan tool?

1 in H2O

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 15

10

Did the FTP parameter on a scan tool display more than the specified value?

3.2 V

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 20

11

Disconnect the EVAP purge vacuum source from the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure sensor parameter less than the specified value?

1 in H2O

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 12

12

Disconnect the EVAP purge pipe from the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure sensor parameter less than the specified value?

1 in H2O

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 13

13

Disconnect the EVAP purge pipe at the EVAP canister.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure sensor parameter less than the specified value?

1 in H2O

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 14

14

Disconnect the EVAP vapor pipe at the EVAP canister.

Is the Fuel Tank Pressure sensor parameter less than the specified value?

1 in H2O

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 18

15

Test for an intermittent and for a poor connection at the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 16

16

Test the low reference circuit of the FTP sensor for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 20

17

Repair the pinched or obstructed EVAP purge solenoid valve vacuum source.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 23

--

18

Repair the pinched or obstructed EVAP vapor pipe.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 23

--

19

Repair the restriction in the EVAP purge pipe.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 23

--

20

Replace the FTP sensor. Refer to Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

--

21

Replace the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve. Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Purge Solenoid Valve Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

--

22

Replace the EVAP canister. Refer to Evaporative Emission Canister Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

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23

Perform the Service Bay Test. Refer to Service Bay Test .

Does the scan tool indicate that the Service Bay Test passed?

--

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 3

24

Observe the Capture Info with a scan tool.

Are there any DTCs that have not been diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle in Vehicle DTC Information

System OK