Gas cap not closed, led to cel ?

[LcossE82]

I was on my way back from a soccer game, 10 minute drive, I got a cord gas cap signal. I figured I would wait until I got home. Then when I left again after closing the gas cap correctly I got a check engine light would this type of code go away with a couple miles on it, or would I have to clear it? Any help appreciated

[JimD]

Typically a gas cap code will clear itself after the car finds the necessary vacuum when it tests a time or two. But it may take multiple trips before it clears. What the code really tells you is that the car did not measure the desired vacuum. That could be the gas cap wasn't on right but it could also be another leak or the pump isn't working (there is a pump to try and pull the vacuum).

[LcossE82]

Originally Posted by JimD

Typically a gas cap code will clear itself after the car finds the necessary vacuum when it tests a time or two. But it may take multiple trips before it clears. What the code really tells you is that the car did not measure the desired vacuum. That could be the gas cap wasn't on right but it could also be another leak or the pump isn't working (there is a pump to try and pull the vacuum).

Than you for the wisdom behind that issue, it took a few days, but it soon passed and CEL has been wiped

[JimD]

You are certainly welcome. I got educated the hard way on this code. I used to have a Suzuki SUV, a Grand Vitara, that threw this code when it was new. My wife took it to the dealer a couple times for me but they kept lecturing her on putting the gas cap on. So the third trip I had to go myself. I had done a bit of internet research and heard about a smoke test for this system. I refused to leave without them doing the test. They did and found a non-functional pump. They did not have the part so I had to come back a fourth time but that fixed it and when I gave it to my son with 150K miles, all was still well.

My e88 has also been throwing this code for several years. It did not start it until it was out of warranty. So I looked up what the part costs but haven't decided to spend the time to replace it yet.

I hope my little history amuses somebody.

Jim