Engine Caution Light
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2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2
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From: Chester Virginia
Engine Caution Light
My engine cauation light comes on and stays on well after I turn off the car. I have checked everything but I now feel I must spend the hundred bucks to find out what the fault indicator tells me. Anything I should check first?
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Joined: Aug 2002
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Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Most places like NAPA and Autozone will read CEL codes for free, just bring the car by your local autoparts store and ask them if they'll read a code for you.
If it is on, and on solid (not flashing) it most likely has to do with your gas cap. The gas cap is part of a sealed evaporative emissions system. If the cap isn't on right and the system detects a leak as a result it can send one of a couple of messages. One will be "check gas cap" displayed on the DIC. The other, for a larger leak, will be to set the CEL (check engine light). The gas cap is the number one cause of the light.
Take off your gas cap and reseat it. Words of advice, let the gas cap tighten itself. When you put it on, do not press down on it, only turn it until it clicks but let the threads on the cap draw it down. You can also put some dielectric silicone lube on the gasket inside the cap.
If it won't seal tight when it clicks or if it will but just feels loose, you may need a new cap.
If it is on, and on solid (not flashing) it most likely has to do with your gas cap. The gas cap is part of a sealed evaporative emissions system. If the cap isn't on right and the system detects a leak as a result it can send one of a couple of messages. One will be "check gas cap" displayed on the DIC. The other, for a larger leak, will be to set the CEL (check engine light). The gas cap is the number one cause of the light.
Take off your gas cap and reseat it. Words of advice, let the gas cap tighten itself. When you put it on, do not press down on it, only turn it until it clicks but let the threads on the cap draw it down. You can also put some dielectric silicone lube on the gasket inside the cap.
If it won't seal tight when it clicks or if it will but just feels loose, you may need a new cap.
