Check Engine Light - Gas Cap question

Check Engine Light (CEL) came on while driving. I said to myself, not another O2 sensor. Anyway, had to fill up with gas, lo and behold the gas cap was gone. If it was me, since I fill up full every 2 weeks, it took 2 weeks for the CEL to come on. Hence 4 questions,

Is the CEL caused by the removed gas cap?

If the gas cap was stolen, how long before the CEL to come up?

Bought a OEM gas cap for C$7 instead of C$24 from the dealer. Is that a good idea?

How long before the CEL turns off?

Thanks

Reply to
Kapal Mo
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Not sure, but I would think if no gas cap would cause the light to come on. It would happen shortly after the cap was removed. Maybe the next day. In my area, The Auto Zone chain stores will scan a car for free. They can also reset your light, if the cap truely has caused the problem. Is the aftermarket cap any good, hard to tell?

Reply to
Greg Buchar

Haynes manual describes in detail how to get the malfunction codes that light up the CEL, and also how to reset the CEL. There is app 50 different codes all together. If you wait a couple of days, the CEl might go off by itself, now that the cap is back on.

Reply to
Daniel

I have read many times in the past in this newsgroup that gas cap removal or just not fully tightened gas cap can cause the diagnostic routine in the computer to turn on the engine light in the front panel.

Not sure but try going through the procedure to turn the engine light off and if it does not come on again should be good indication that it is ok.

You need to go through a procedure to turn off the engine light. There is an access panel underneath the driver side that you need to get to and turn some screws to turn it off. For full description of the howto, go to:

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Reply to
Thepthai Tabtieng

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