Problem With Check Engine Light

[Mtn8er]

Well for some reason my check engine light came on just out of the blue about 2 days ago. I went to autozone today to have them pin point where the problem is and his little scanner said there was a problem in the fuel vacum line? I'm pretty sure that's what he meant? Anyways I wasn't exactly sure what he was talking about other than he said "your fuel tank is pressurized and almost 99% of the time your gas cap goes bad which messes with the pressure in the gas tank." He said he's 99% positive it's my gas cap but if it's not there's some sort of leak in a vacum line. Is this true or common? My gas cap went bad just for the hell of it? BTW I haven't bought any gas until today, so today was the first time the gas cap has been off.

 

[shamaal]

Actually it is true. the most common fix is a loose gas cap reseating it usually fixes it. Other possible causes, less likely are vaccum line problems, purge cannister and the various parts in between.

Reseat cap, clear codes by disconnecting battery cable, and let us know if there's still a problem. Next recommendation would be to check your vacuum lines going to the purge cannister, purge cannister solenoid or replace gascap.

There should be an emmission sticker next to your hood latch showing the vacuum connections.

Any chance you have the code #?

 

[Mtn8er]

Actually it is true. the most common fix is a loose gas cap reseating it usually fixes it. Other possible causes, less likely are vaccum line problems, purge cannister and the various parts in between.

Reseat cap, clear codes by disconnecting battery cable, and let us know if there's still a problem. Next recommendation would be to check your vacuum lines going to the purge cannister, purge cannister solenoid or replace gascap.

There should be an emmission sticker next to your hood latch showing the vacuum connections.

Any chance you have the code #?

Code # for what? Is there a code # on the emmission sticker? I'll reset the gas cap tomorrow and unplug my battery to clear the code to see if that works. I just find it odd that your gas cap can go bad just like that? It happened 2 days ago and I haven't gotten gas for over a week until today, so my gas cap hasn't been touched when the light came on.

 

[Turdle]

Mike
Check the vacuum lines on the driver side of engine, there is a valve(evap) in the front driver wheel well--behind the headlight.It has a green and a black plastic plug--check these for cracks.

Yes-get the code pulled again and write it down

 

[shamaal]

Sorry I wasn't clear. The scanner gets a code from the vehicle that the Autozone guy translated into the diagnosis. If you have that code it helps the resident experts here to confirm the diagnosis.

Regarding the timing; sh*t happens.

 

[Mtn8er]

Mike
Check the vacuum lines on the driver side of engine, there is a valve(evap) in the front driver wheel well--behind the headlight.It has a green and a black plastic plug--check these for cracks.

Yes-get the code pulled again and write it down

Alright, I'll look at it tomorrow. I did kind of notice one thing, we have had LOTS of rain here the past week so sewers are flooding and there's huge pudles everywhere. I did go through a couple deep puddles (at no choice ) pretty fast causing a pretty big splash. Well I noticed my check engine light was on the next morning. Could this have anything to do with it? It doesn't really have anything to do with my gas cap though?

 

[Mtn8er]

Good news!! I reset my gas cap and unplugged my battery for about a minute today, hooked it back up and started it and my check engine light is now off! I don't get it though because my gas cap was securely on there. Maybe the night before my light went on, one of those puddles I went through got something wet? a sensor maybe? All it took was removing my battery cable to reset everything and now it's fixed. Well thank's for all your guy's help, much appreciated.

 

[Turdle]

If it comes back, be sure to update this please.

 

[Mtn8er]

If it comes back, be sure to update this please.

Will do