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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2008 23:17:14 GMT -6
So today I was driving along when I saw the DIC message: Check gas cap. Pop up. I pulled over right away, checked the cap then went along driving. Now every time I start the car up, the message appears. It doesnt seem to come up while I"m driving, just when I start up every time. Any thoughts/suggestions??
I'm hoping it'll be as simple as replacing just the cap if it is such a problem. Thanks for the input guys!
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2008 8:06:47 GMT -6
So this morning, was no different. Started it up, "check gas cap" message appeared, I hit reset to get it to go away then drove into work. No message while driving. Stopped at the gas station, started it back up, message again but now the Check Engine light is on.
Help... is it just a sensor? Do I just need to replace the gas cap??
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Post by Aurora40 on May 19, 2008 8:20:21 GMT -6
Did you tighten the cap or just "check" it?
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Post by aarcuda on May 19, 2008 9:54:40 GMT -6
mine did the same thing. tighten the cap and then take it to autozone and have them read and clear the codes. mines been fine ever since
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2008 10:34:50 GMT -6
yes I've tighten, checked, removed re-tightened the cap etc. I orinally searched the forum for others with this problem and the search came up with nothing. Then after I posted this I found via wadding through the pages another post similar to mine. People are saying it might be the gas cap that needs repalcement. I'll take it to Autozone today during my lunch and see what it comes up with and get back with you guys. Thanks!
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Post by aurorabrain on May 19, 2008 11:26:49 GMT -6
Get the EXACT code number, we can better help you if you do.
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2008 19:42:01 GMT -6
OK, just got home from the gym and ran to Auto Zone to get the code.
It reads P0440
Possible causes:
-Defective or loose fuel cap
-EVAP cansiter or hose cracked-not connected
-Purge or vent solenoid defective
-Vacuum leak at engine.
Now a little history. Not sure it'll be important but want to give you as much info as possible. Its been hot around here the past weekend running in the high 90's low 100's so I've been blasting the A/C.
Also I recently (about a month or so ago) did Aurorabrain's fuel gage jump fix using the GM truck part to replace the worn fingers on my sensor. The job worked perfectly and have had no problems since.
Again the "Check gas cap" message popped up while driving Sunday, then after I checked it and hit "reset" on the DIC it only comes on when I first start the car. As of this morning it came on again (probably 5-6 time/trip) plus the check engine light comes on now.
Funny thing is when the guy at AZ plugged in the code reader, the message on the DIC popped up with BOTH "Check gas cap" & "Low Engine Coolant"
I also forgot to ask him to clear and reset the code, so should I be unplugging the battery tonight for few hours and let it reset??
Thanks for all the input guys, I'll check back here later.
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Post by webenergy on May 19, 2008 20:18:11 GMT -6
I have the exact same issue as you. I have a 2001 Aurora.
When it's warm out, I will get the "Check Gas Cap" periodically. When the weather is cool, it never comes up. So far the check engine light doesn't come up. When it did last summer, the code was the same P0440.
My mechanic told me it was the cannister that needed replacing. $300.00. I'm not convinced.
I was also told it's a common glitch with GM vehicles. My wife's Grand AM does it now and again too, same code. I clear the code, and it may come back a few months later.
I'll have to get it diagnosed and let them put smoke through the system. But, it takes money to do that.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2008 9:16:15 GMT -6
So I disconnected the battery last night while I slept to see if I could get the error code to clear. Upon hooking it back up and starting the car, I automatically got the "check gas cap" message and the Check Engine light was on so it didnt make a difference.
I also noticed while standing near the rear of the car last night talking with some friends that I would occasionally catch the smell of fuel so I'm really starting to think it is indeed the gas cap as the DIC was telling me. I guess today I'll go buy a new one, and see if that solves the problem. Hopefully that'll be the case.
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Post by aurorabrain on May 20, 2008 10:16:40 GMT -6
The smoke test is the best way to actually diagnose the problem, otherwise you're just throwing parts at it.
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2008 10:30:24 GMT -6
Well how much does a smoke test typically run?
A new gas cap is only $21.96. The way I look at it, thats a cheap way to hopefully fix it without having to go through the process of dealing with a shop. If that doesnt solve the problem then the smoke test would probably be the next step in figuring it out.
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Post by kbpickle on May 20, 2008 16:04:26 GMT -6
2001, 3.5, 122,000 miles. I had the "Check Gas Cap" message, too, last week. In my case the gas cap really was loose - almost just sitting on the filler pipe.
I tightened the cap, and then reset the DIC each time it came on, which was each time I started the car. After maybe 20 times over the next few days the message cleared. So, I'm assuming that the one instance of the loose cap required multiple resets to clear it. Is that the way it's supposed to work?
Ken
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2008 16:27:47 GMT -6
Well I ended up buying a replacement gas cap this afternoon ($22 from dealership, wasnt sure if it was a special design or not, hence dealership buy) since mine was not loose, but kept reporting error, plus Check Engine light was on and driving me nuts!!
I swapped them out, asked dealer to reset code for me and they told me they didnt have enough time and I'd have to make an appointment for sunday as they're booked and it would cost me $50...OH how I love the reminder of why people think dealerships are scum!! So I took it down to Autozone, took 30 seconds to plug it in, clear the codes, restarted the car and message + Check Engine light went away. Drove about 20 mins back to work without any problems. Looks like that was the culprit.
Now I can rest assured I shouldnt have a hefty expense to take care of this weekend, and instead enjoy my Birthday and buy myself some stereo equipment to beef up the interior sound!!
THANKS FOR ALL THE INPUT/HELP GUYS!!
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2008 8:18:16 GMT -6
TWO DAYS.... is all it lasted before the "Check Gas Cap" message popped back up. I also thought I caught a wiff of gas while exiting my car this morning. Guess I'll be taking it in for a smoke test now.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2008 17:10:51 GMT -6
I got the smoke test today and was pleasantly surprised to find out that the leak was at the seal on the fuel guage sensor canister (the job I had done previously to fix my jumping fuel guage) I was glad to hear its a cheap seal vs. an expensive part somewhere else on the vehicle. Bad news is that it has been "bleeding" fuel out all over the back of my car so I need to get it fixed ASAP!!
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Post by jason on May 29, 2008 20:13:57 GMT -6
Bad news is that it has been "bleeding" fuel out all over the back of my car so I need to get it fixed ASAP!! "ASAP" could be a fire hazard. |
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2008 22:11:33 GMT -6
Exactly! Thats why I'm taking my Jeep tommorow and letting the Aurora sit at home.
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2008 23:12:07 GMT -6
Well I replaced the seal this evening. Will follow up later to tell if it fixed the problem or not. It was not immidiate but that doesnt surprise me. Should take a few cycles before the sensor light clears up unless I go to Autozone to have them clear it tommorow.
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2008 14:08:45 GMT -6
So took the Aurora for a spin today after replacing the seal at the top of the gas sensor can, and after a little driving around the check engine light went away, and now the "check gas cap" message doesnt appear when i start it anymore. Seemed to take care of the problem. Total investment = $92 (22 for new gas cap, 50 for smoke test, & $20 for new seal) Thanks for all the input and help guys, and good looking out Aurorabrain for the recommendation to just take it to the smoke tester rather than throw parts at it! Hopefully this thread will help others in the future.
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Post by aarcuda on Jun 10, 2008 5:38:24 GMT -6
what exactly is a smoke test and how do you perform one?
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Post by onehunglow on Jun 19, 2008 17:19:09 GMT -6
I had the same problem ...(along with a periodic 'check engine light' that states "evap leak small") and it turns out that the filler pipe is rusted!! and bad enough that there is a pinhole leak in it which releases the vaccum that tries to build up....
but look at the filler pipe neck when you fill up with that precious gas ...if it appears rusted at top - it might mean it is below also ...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2008 17:59:40 GMT -6
Smoke test was done at a shop and I wasnt around to watch but as far as I know they just push smoke into the gas tank under pressure and look for leaks. Found smoke leaking from the seal at the sensor canister. Replaced the seal and fixed the problem.
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