2001 Tahoe Blinking Check Engine Light?

[Justin509]

I'll see if I can bring it to a muffler shop and see what they say.. I ended up going to Portland zoo and then canby for the weekend.

 

[Diggerdan11]

I'll see if I can bring it to a muffler shop and see what they say.. I ended up going to Portland zoo and then canby for the weekend.

Sweet I have always liked the Portland zoo. Haven't been there in a while though

 

[Justin509]

Still having the same problem

 

[SunlitComet]

What was that hole in your throttle butterfly? And have you had any luck with getting a cylinder misfire history?

 

[Justin509]

Im not sure what the hole is..And still no cylinder misfire history! This is gonna drive me crazy.. And is sucking gas fast! Its worse now.... When I hold it steady a 3krpm it bucks/pulses not sure how to say it. Like brum........brum.......brum.....brum holding it at 3k steady lol

 

[SunlitComet]

Unless someone proves me wrong that hole should not be there. And I think it needs to be addressed. Did you make it to an exhaust shop for a check-out or no?

 

[Justin509]

Not yet... Im gonna try and get it in tomorrow

 

[Justin509]

Ok so I have a p0446 code. Could this cause the Tahoe to run like this? I have no power what so ever. 3/4 throttle and just barley goes. Wot and it shifts down and will rev high but no power.

 

[SunlitComet]

here is a whole tech article on it:

Vehicle » Powertrain Management » Computers and Control Systems » Testing and Inspection » Diagnostic Trouble Code Tests and Associated Procedures » P Code Charts » P0446

Notes P0446

Circuit Description
The VCM monitors the performance of the EVAP system by applying a predetermined level of vacuum to the EVAP system and monitors the vacuum decay rate. The VCM sets this DTC if the vacuum decay rate is greater than a predetermined value. The VCM monitors the amount of vacuum and the amount of pressure in the EVAP system by monitoring the Fuel Tank Pressure sensor. For this DTC the VCM turns ON both the EVAP Purge Valve and the EVAP Vent Valve when the Conditions for Running the DTC are met. This applies an engine vacuum to a closed EVAP system. The VCM turns OFF both the EVAP Purge Valve and the EVAP Vent Valve when the system reaches a correct amount of vacuum. The EVAP system should quickly RELEASE the vacuum in the EVAP system with the EVAP Purge Valve OFF and the EVAP Vent Valve OFF (open). This test indicates a blocked or restricted EVAP Vent Valve or path if the EVAP system fails to release the vacuum quickly enough.

Conditions for Running the DTC

• No active MAP sensor DTCs
• No active TP sensor DTCs
• No active VS sensor DTCs
• No active O2 sensor DTCs
• No active ECT sensor DTCs
• No active IAT sensor DTCs
• DTC P0125 not active
• The fuel level is greater that 12.5% but less than 87%
• The system voltage is between 10 and 17 volts
• The ECT is between 4°C and 30°C (39°F to 86°F)
• The IAT is between 4°C and 30°C (39°F to 86°F)
• The cold start temperature difference (ECT minus IAT) is less than 1.5°C when the IAT is greater than the ECT or 8°C when the ECT is greater than the IAT
• The BARO is greater than 72 kPa
• The change in fuel tank vacuum is less than 0.6 in. of H2O, or the change in fuel level is less than 8%
• The fuel tank vacuum level remains above a calibrated value for a specified number of seconds

Conditions for Setting the DTC
The VCM fails to detect a drop in the EVAP system vacuum over a calibrated number of seconds with the vent solenoid open.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

• The VCM illuminates the MIL during the first key cycle in which the DTC sets.
• The VCM stores the conditions that were present when the DTC sets as a Freeze Frame and Fail Records data.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

• The Control Module turns OFF the MIL after 3 consecutive drive trips when the test has Run and Passed.
• A history DTC will clear if no fault conditions have been detected for 40 warm-up cycles (coolant temperature has risen 22°C (40°F) from the start-up coolant temperature and the Engine Coolant Temperature is more than 70°C (158°F) during the same ignition cycle).
• Use the scan tool Clear Information function.

 

[SunlitComet]

Diagnostic Aids

Important: An accurate indication of fuel level is required for the VCM to properly Pass or Fail this DTC. Always diagnose fuel level sensor DTCs before performing this DTCs diagnostic table. Always check for fuel level sensor DTCs stored in History.

Check for the following conditions:

• A loose, missing, damaged, incorrect or improperly installed fuel cap
• Missing or damaged O-rings at EVAP canister fuel vapor and purge line fittings
• A cracked or punctured EVAP canister
• Incorrectly routed or defective EVAP system vacuum and vapor lines
• A damaged or disconnected EVAP purge line, vent hose or fuel tank vapor line
• A stuck closed EVAP Vent Valve
• A restricted or stuck closed fuel tank rollover valve
• A poor connection at the VCM: Inspect the harness connectors for the following conditions:
• Backed out terminals
• Improper mating
• Broken locks
• Improperly formed or damaged terminals
• poor terminal to wire connection
• A damaged harness: Inspect the wiring harness to the EVAP vent solenoid, EVAP purge solenoid and the fuel tank pressure sensor for an intermittent, open or short circuit
• A kinked, pinched or plugged EVAP purge, or fuel tank vapor line. Verify that the lines are not restricted

Reviewing the Fail 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.

Test Description
Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table.

1. If the vacuum stored in the EVAP system is quickly released then an intermittent system restriction or failure of the EVAP Vent Valve or the EVAP Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor may have occurred.
2. Checking the vapor canister and the EVAP Vent Valve for restriction.

1. An EVAP Pressure sensor that does not correctly respond to pressure (or vacuum) will cause this DTC to set. The EVAP Pressure Sensor monitors a range from 7.5 in. H2O of pressure to -17.5 in. H2O of pressure (vacuum). In order to test the EVAP Pressure sensor for pressure response SEAL the system with the scan tool and use the EVAP pressure/purge diagnostic cart to apply pressure to the system. Compare the pressure gauge (in. H2O) on the diagnostic cart to the EVAP Pressure sensor reading on the scan tool.

---------- Post added at 03:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:05 PM ----------

bullets number 1-2-1 for chart above are actually 4-5-9

---------- Post added at 03:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:09 PM ----------

This generally is the warning for a loose gas cap.

 

[Justin509]

I got the cats checked and guess what?

 

[SunlitComet]

They were not there?

---------- Post added at 05:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:52 PM ----------

Plugged?
Blown out?

Absolutely Fabulous!

 

[Justin509]

The passenger side is completly clogged! So im guessing that that is the reasone why its running like it is and sucking so much gas?
Can I just pull them and put stright pipe??

 

[SunlitComet]

That will fail a smog test piss your computer off and is generally illegal. Get your self a Direct bolt-on magnaflow hi-flow cats if. About $600.

---------- Post added at 05:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:29 PM ----------

And should be 50 state compliant.

 

[Justin509]

Will this work?
http://www.theautopartsshop.com/Sea...nt=Catalytic Converter&utm_campaign=chevrolet

 

[SunlitComet]

YES! direct bolt on 50 state legal as well. your o2 sensors just transfer over although I would recommend replacement pf them all if they are all original. If nothing else is wrong you would pass a smog with flying colors an get power back to normal if not a little better.

 

[Justin509]

So before I ordered the new cats I pulled the clogged one out just to make sure that was it and it runs great now! Amazing how that caused it to run so bad.. So now Im going to order the new cats. Im going to change both because I can see the other one going bad. Thanks for all the help....

 

[SunlitComet]

Actually when you order the direct bolt you don't have a choice you get the whole assembly I pictured above. And of course it is the smart thing to do.

Post some pics of the cats. Would like to see how bad they are. I am guessing there are burned shut from running a rich mixture down them.

---------- Post added at 08:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:29 PM ----------

Also I would still recommend some one with the same engine chime in here. I could be wrong, but a open hole in the throttle plate just does not sound right and maybe along with old o2 sensors maybe be causing this mess for you I mean the TB, WOW.

It is like someone drilled a hole to get the engine to run faster for a high electric load or something.

 

[Spikeymikey]

Same here

So my 03 Tahoe started the flashing CEL for the first time anytime I went above 65 on the freeway. Guess I should start with going to autozone to test it?

 

[SunlitComet]

You are getting a active misfire the scanner will help determine where and why.