I tested my purge vent today by applying a 9v battery to it. It clicked and I was able to suck and blow air through it. When the power was removed I could no longer blow through it. I also tested the electrical harness with a voltmeter and I got 12.4v with the car in the 'on' position.

Are these acceptable test to determine if the purege vent valve/solenoid is working correctly? I really don't have any mechanic tools so I do what I can with what I have.

Thanks.

What code are you getting? From there we can look up the procedure for diagnosing it and go through the various tests. There are many write ups in Techinfo for that very purpose.

p0446 - I know this has to do with the vent valve more than the purge valve, but after taking apart and cleaning the vent valve and the vent canister with the fabric filter from the rear wheel area, it didn't clear the code. I tested that solenoid by just applying voltage to it and I did hear it click and was happy with the sound. I didn't blow into it though or try to suck and hold a vacuum. Thats why I just decided to test the purge vent - It was easy enough to get to.

Would I be throwing the p0446 code if there is a hole in the vent hose going from the charcoal canister to the vent canister? I would think it would be a different code.

Either you have to manually clear the code or allow several "start-run" cycles for the code to clear itself.
But here is Dan'* Techinfo article on your particular code

P0446

The battery was disconnected when I was checking things. When it was reconnected the SES light was not on. Does this mean the code had been cleared or do I have to hook up the diagnostic tool to clear it. The light came back on after 25 miles of driving.

Thanks.

What year is it?

2001 gt

That code should clear with the batter disconnected. If it came back on then you still have a problem. EVAP codes can be a major pain. You could have a damaged O ring, or other leak in the system. Check the gas cap, check all the vacuum lines from the tank to the engine. The canister could be clogged. Your test of the purge valve will be fine. All you did was go threw it'* motions. The valve is either open, or closed. And you had it do both. You also test the harness and confirmed voltage. So that'* all good. So move on to the next area. Your lines.

This is a hard one to diagnose without an Evap Emission System Tester and a scan tool. The gas cap is likely not the cause because for you to kick the code you did, the PCM would have to rule out a P0442 which is a small evap leak.