I'd talk to the service manager, or better still email him so you have a record, and tell him the 'check fuel cap' warning is not acceptable. Then propose that you take the truck to another dealership or an independent shop to correct the problem and have them reimburse you for all cost.
Not another "Check Fuel Cap" thread...
Hi everyone! So, strange situation. I feel like the stealership is being super shady...
So, I bought a used 2011 Ridgeline RTL about a month ago. Loving the truck so far, I made the dealership fix a few minor things a week after I bought it. However, the "check fuel cap" light has been coming on since I bought it.
Every day, sometimes a few times a day. I can press the "Select" button, and it goes away for a while, but comes right back.
I looked to google first for a solution. The general consensus was to replace the gas cap, or to try to screw it on tighter. Like 15 clicks. I made the dealership replace the cap, and I make sure its on there VERY tight.
It's still happening.
I have taken it back again, and they did every "Evap test" that they can do, and they said that there is nothing mechanically wrong with it. The code is showing loose gas cap, but they verified that it's on there tight enough. They said its going to be an intermittent problem, and basically, that I just have to deal with it.
The only solution would be to just start throwing parts at it to try to fix what ever is causing the fault.
They also said, that I would have to pay for that out of pocket as there is no mechanical fault.
What else can I try?
So, I bought a used 2011 Ridgeline RTL about a month ago. Loving the truck so far, I made the dealership fix a few minor things a week after I bought it. However, the "check fuel cap" light has been coming on since I bought it.
Every day, sometimes a few times a day. I can press the "Select" button, and it goes away for a while, but comes right back.
I looked to google first for a solution. The general consensus was to replace the gas cap, or to try to screw it on tighter. Like 15 clicks. I made the dealership replace the cap, and I make sure its on there VERY tight.
It's still happening.
I have taken it back again, and they did every "Evap test" that they can do, and they said that there is nothing mechanically wrong with it. The code is showing loose gas cap, but they verified that it's on there tight enough. They said its going to be an intermittent problem, and basically, that I just have to deal with it.
The only solution would be to just start throwing parts at it to try to fix what ever is causing the fault.
They also said, that I would have to pay for that out of pocket as there is no mechanical fault.
What else can I try?
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
I was talking to the service manager. Two of the actually.
And their "Lead tech" who has been working there for 25+ years and is all kinds of "Honda certified"...
They said no to any for of reimbursement, I forgot to mention that I told them I might go get a second opinion.
I may need to go yell at the used car manager. We purchased the truck 14Feb, and it's been in their shop for about 2 weeks of that time : \
And their "Lead tech" who has been working there for 25+ years and is all kinds of "Honda certified"...
They said no to any for of reimbursement, I forgot to mention that I told them I might go get a second opinion.
I may need to go yell at the used car manager. We purchased the truck 14Feb, and it's been in their shop for about 2 weeks of that time : \
Will the truck pass your state inspection with the check fuel cap light on? (just curious).
I drive very short trips less than 4 miles each and I get this message a few times a year. I found out that when I drive a trip of 10 miles or so, the message goes off the next startup. May be a coincedence, but for me it works.
If you drive short trips, try a longer trip and see if it resets next startup
If you drive short trips, try a longer trip and see if it resets next startup
My state doesn't do inspections. : \ At all.Will the truck pass your state inspection with the check fuel cap light on? (just curious).
My drive to work is 15 miles... : \I drive very short trips less than 4 miles each and I get this message a few times a year. I found out that when I drive a trip of 10 miles or so, the message goes off the next startup. May be a coincedence, but for me it works.
If you drive short trips, try a longer trip and see if it resets next startup
Wonder if you could try disconnecting your battery for a day or two, to be sure everything is completely reset. (be sure you have your radio code!)
I'll have to try that! It's not my daily driver, so I could unhook her for a couple days.Wonder if you could try disconnecting your battery for a day or two, to be sure everything is completely reset. (be sure you have your radio code!)
I'll need to find my radio code first though like you said. How does one obtain that info?
Dealership already tried that : \Maybe replace the fuel cap?
If you've got a warranty on the truck, they are on the hook. I believe that fuel cap is a federal emissions thing, so they can't dodge the fact that it is 'critical' (am I wrong on that?). You may have to threaten taking them to small claims court for the cost of getting it repaired somewhere else..... maybe THAT will motivate them.
This is not a "can't be fixed" issue, and it's not a superficial thing like cosmetics. They need to make it right.... try calling your state's consumer affairs office to see what they have to say about the dealer failing to repair a mandated federal emissions failure. What kind of warranty do you have anyway? The dealer shouldn't be concerned unless he's the underwriter.
Lastly, don't the emissions elements of our warranty have some ridiculously long coverage period??? (Speed?.... I think you know this one?)
This is not a "can't be fixed" issue, and it's not a superficial thing like cosmetics. They need to make it right.... try calling your state's consumer affairs office to see what they have to say about the dealer failing to repair a mandated federal emissions failure. What kind of warranty do you have anyway? The dealer shouldn't be concerned unless he's the underwriter.
Lastly, don't the emissions elements of our warranty have some ridiculously long coverage period??? (Speed?.... I think you know this one?)
So OP, how many miles do you have on her?
So S2005,
It sounds like you are out of luck with the original new car emissions warranty. But you never said what kind of warranty you got when you bought it.
Regardless, if you look under the list Speedlever posted, you'll see the list of components that could potentially be the source of this failure under "Evaporative & Refueling Emissions Control Systems". Personally, I would first suspect the lines/hoses or the emissions valves. Note also the components that are part of the fuel tank, including vapor control valve.
It wouldn't hurt to get a separate quote for lines & valves, just to know what you're looking at.
Alternately (back to the "get them to pay" topic), you COULD try to get the truck over there when you know it's going to be a cold night &m l leave it for them to check the following morning. Depending on how intermittent it is, you may get them to detect the fault with their test.
One more thing that bothers me is that the temporary codes that are stored indicates that there is a problem, and even if they WERE able to detect with their Evap test, I am certain it will not tell them which hose is leaking.... they are going to have to do that by trial & error anyway I suspect???
Bottom line, if they continue to refuse to address, you're probably stuck, depending again on what kind of warranty you got. The simple fact that you should have recurring incidents of temporary codes being thrown for this (take it in each time to document... those temp codes will clear as soon as the leak is gone again), should make your case that this is a real problem, intermittent or not. Good luck with this..... it would be better if the problem were worse .... at least then you'd get a failed Evap test.
I think I'd get the hoses swapped out if it is not too expensive.
It sounds like you are out of luck with the original new car emissions warranty. But you never said what kind of warranty you got when you bought it.
Regardless, if you look under the list Speedlever posted, you'll see the list of components that could potentially be the source of this failure under "Evaporative & Refueling Emissions Control Systems". Personally, I would first suspect the lines/hoses or the emissions valves. Note also the components that are part of the fuel tank, including vapor control valve.
It wouldn't hurt to get a separate quote for lines & valves, just to know what you're looking at.
Alternately (back to the "get them to pay" topic), you COULD try to get the truck over there when you know it's going to be a cold night &m l leave it for them to check the following morning. Depending on how intermittent it is, you may get them to detect the fault with their test.
One more thing that bothers me is that the temporary codes that are stored indicates that there is a problem, and even if they WERE able to detect with their Evap test, I am certain it will not tell them which hose is leaking.... they are going to have to do that by trial & error anyway I suspect???
Bottom line, if they continue to refuse to address, you're probably stuck, depending again on what kind of warranty you got. The simple fact that you should have recurring incidents of temporary codes being thrown for this (take it in each time to document... those temp codes will clear as soon as the leak is gone again), should make your case that this is a real problem, intermittent or not. Good luck with this..... it would be better if the problem were worse .... at least then you'd get a failed Evap test.
I think I'd get the hoses swapped out if it is not too expensive.
Sorry! I've been away for a few days.
She has 103,000 on the odometer : \
It came with a lifetime power train warranty
She has 103,000 on the odometer : \
It came with a lifetime power train warranty
If you're repeatedly having this message you have a slow leak in the EVAP system. Ask for a Honda rep to contact you and discuss the situation. Tell him your next step is a NHTSA complaint and a possible lemon law case (depending on your state) Stand your ground, make them provide you a replacement vehicle, and do not accept the vehicle as repaired without an extended warranty on this issue.
We bought it used "As Is/No Warranty"
It has a lifetime Powertrain, but that's it.
We dropped it off with them again, and the dealer said that because it isn't covered under warranty, and is an As Is used vehicle, that I'd have to pay like $500 for them to replace a few things that they think "might" fix it.
I live in Alabama, and don't know much about "Lemon Laws"
Are my hands tied?
It has a lifetime Powertrain, but that's it.
We dropped it off with them again, and the dealer said that because it isn't covered under warranty, and is an As Is used vehicle, that I'd have to pay like $500 for them to replace a few things that they think "might" fix it.
I live in Alabama, and don't know much about "Lemon Laws"
Are my hands tied?
Do what Csimo said.We bought it used "As Is/No Warranty"
It has a lifetime Powertrain, but that's it.
We dropped it off with them again, and the dealer said that because it isn't covered under warranty, and is an As Is used vehicle, that I'd have to pay like $500 for them to replace a few things that they think "might" fix it.
I live in Alabama, and don't know much about "Lemon Laws"
Are my hands tied?
I looked up my state's lemon law:
Also, how does one go about "Ask for a Honda rep to contact you and discuss the situation." Do I email corporate Honda of America?
Does that mean it has to fit all those criteria? It has been in 3 times for this same issue, but it's a 2011, so obviously not 2 years old or less.In Alabama, your car may qualify as a lemon if:
It is 2 years old or less (or has 24,000 miles or less).
It has had 3 attempts or more to repair the issue by the manufacturer, a manufacturer's agent or an authorized dealer for the same defect.
It has been out of service for at least 30 days and in the possession of the manufacturer, a manufacturer's agent, or an authorized dealer.
Also, how does one go about "Ask for a Honda rep to contact you and discuss the situation." Do I email corporate Honda of America?
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
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