Tighten Fuel Cap Warning Light Stays On

[4Truku]

I just had my truck in the dealer for this exact issue.

About 100 miles and a couple of days into a fuel tank, the Check Fuel Cap message came on. I always tighten my cap a few clicks, but it was on when I started the truck. I got out and checked it (It was tight) and got back in and pressed the reset button on the dash and it was gone.....until I got about 5 miles down the road. This went on for three days. I made an appoinment for it and sure enough, the morning I take it in to the dealer, the message light was gone. The checked it out reset the internal computer and told me I had to make sure the cap was tight (which I always do). They also said it takes several startups and shutdowns for the computer check and reset. "Even if the cap was tightened, it may take a day or two to clear"

[jmstr]

I thought I fixed it by pressing the RESET button...but its back on, I'm reseting daily... This warning has been going for about 3 weeks.

Time to call the dealer.

[Divotfixer]

I got this message right after a trip to the dealer to fix some cracked interior trim. I always tighten the cap and am the only one who fills it. It goes away with a RESET push, but comes back each time you start the engine.

After 4 days and 3 tanks of gas (road trip) it was still there. Took the RL in for an oil change and had them reset the message while it was there.

Does anyone know where the cap sensor is? Is it user serviceable (ie, does it get dirty and need to be cleaned?)???

[ROTORRAY]

You can keep resetting this thing until the cows come home. After having the dealer reset it three times he finally replaced, on the recommendation of Honda, the CANISTER VENT SHUT VALVE (reportedly near the fuel tank) and, voilla!, problem solved. Was done under warranty, so it just costs you a little time. Don't fool with it any longer. Take it in and get it fixed!

[HondaTech]

Originally Posted by Divotfixer

I got this message right after a trip to the dealer to fix some cracked interior trim. I always tighten the cap and am the only one who fills it. It goes away with a RESET push, but comes back each time you start the engine.

After 4 days and 3 tanks of gas (road trip) it was still there. Took the RL in for an oil change and had them reset the message while it was there.

Does anyone know where the cap sensor is? Is it user serviceable (ie, does it get dirty and need to be cleaned?)???

There is no sensor for the fuel cap. The evaporative emissions system runs a self test every now and then to make sure fuel vapor is not being leaked out into the atmosphere. Fuel vapor - the gas smell you know so well - is actually unburned hydrocarbons, an unwanted and restricted emission gas. The evap system consists of various valves and solenoids as well as a vapor canister, the fuel tank pressure sensor and the fuel tank. The idea is that the fumes from the gas are introduced into the intake manifold to be burned, rather than going free into the atmosphere. The vehicle will run it's tests when certain enable criteria have been met. It opens and closes the valves and solenoids and monitors fuel tank pressure sensor voltage. By monitoring the pressure changes, it tell if the evap system is leaking... or letting fumes out when they should be sealed in. It uses the rate of leakage - expressed to the ecm/pcm as a voltage change over time, to determine the size of the leak. The ecm/pcm then uses logic to determine what to do - set a DTC and a "check engine" light.... or simply warn the driver that the fuel cap might be loose. When you re-tighten the cap... the message will stay on. It will remain on until the evap system undergoes another self check. This could take a few starts, or it could take a week. It depends on how the vehicle is driven. If all you have is a check fuel cap message, tighten the cap and wait for it to go away. It will go away when the system runs its next self check. If, when the system self checks, it finds there is STILL a leak... instead of resetting the Check fuel cap message... it will store a DTC and the MIL will illuminate. (MIL = malfunction indicator lamp) Then it is time to head to your local friendly Honda dealer and get it checked out.



HT

[nole1972]

The Check Fuel Cap warning came on last week. Removed the cap and re-tightened it. The warning message cleared itself today after approx 7 days.

[jackping]

I just went through it as well. It cleared after 6 days. I am going to mention it to the dealer anyway.

[xridgelinex]

My experience is it usually happens to a RL owner when there are drastic temperature fluctuations. Most experience this during the winter months as the temp. can drop greatly during the day/evening, hence changing the pressure of any gases in the system.

As the days get hotter, and you find yourself filling up the tank with very "cold" gasoline" there is a tendency for the same thing to happen.

[jj's ridge]

Originally Posted by HondaTech

There is no sensor for the fuel cap. The evaporative emissions system runs a self test every now and then to make sure fuel vapor is not being leaked out into the atmosphere. Fuel vapor - the gas smell you know so well - is actually unburned hydrocarbons, an unwanted and restricted emission gas. The evap system consists of various valves and solenoids as well as a vapor canister, the fuel tank pressure sensor and the fuel tank. The idea is that the fumes from the gas are introduced into the intake manifold to be burned, rather than going free into the atmosphere. The vehicle will run it's tests when certain enable criteria have been met. It opens and closes the valves and solenoids and monitors fuel tank pressure sensor voltage. By monitoring the pressure changes, it tell if the evap system is leaking... or letting fumes out when they should be sealed in. It uses the rate of leakage - expressed to the ecm/pcm as a voltage change over time, to determine the size of the leak. The ecm/pcm then uses logic to determine what to do - set a DTC and a "check engine" light.... or simply warn the driver that the fuel cap might be loose. When you re-tighten the cap... the message will stay on. It will remain on until the evap system undergoes another self check. This could take a few starts, or it could take a week. It depends on how the vehicle is driven. If all you have is a check fuel cap message, tighten the cap and wait for it to go away. It will go away when the system runs its next self check. If, when the system self checks, it finds there is STILL a leak... instead of resetting the Check fuel cap message... it will store a DTC and the MIL will illuminate. (MIL = malfunction indicator lamp) Then it is time to head to your local friendly Honda dealer and get it checked out.



HT

Thank you for that explanation! Makes sense to me! I'll give mine time to "heal" itself!
Nice to have someone like you around to keep us all a little more "grounded"!

[mrowen]

Originally Posted by amp5516

I a RTL with just over 900 miles, after starting it a second time today, the TIGHTEN FUEL CAP warning light came on, now this after driving the truck for a half a tank of fuel. So I tighten the cap and still the warning comes on, also I'm aware that you have the screw the cap until it clicks a couple of times every time you fill up, I have had this issue with a 99 Durango. Does anyone have any experience with this problem

Same thing happened with me. Dealer says that it takes 30 starts to clear the warning message. No explanation why, but your vehicle is fine. It hasn't happened since for me (about 1500 miles later).