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DIY Fix for "Loose Gas Cap" indicator aka code P0449 w/Pics
06-26-2016, 09:05 AM
#146
Advanced
Member Since: Jun 2011
Posts: 52
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Just did this on my 2008 A6 coupe. Part was under the car on the passenger side, just in front of the gas tank. There was more than enough room for my hands. My dad could also reach up there no problem. Just a note for FortMorgalAl, my car was throwing both P0449 and P0455 codes and the vent solenoid fixed the issue.
The rear tire does not have to be taken off if the car is lifted far enough with the proper jack and jack stands. Thank you JKBride and GOLD72 for the detailed part replacement steps.
The rear tire does not have to be taken off if the car is lifted far enough with the proper jack and jack stands. Thank you JKBride and GOLD72 for the detailed part replacement steps.
08-30-2016, 02:58 PM
#147
Race Director
Great writeup and pics, OP.
I tried to do this process, but one of the hose clamp ears was right against the solenoid mounting bracket, I could not get the hose or clamp to turn and I didn't have the space to get the pliers at the right angle either. My solenoid was not on the chassis bracket so I could move the solenoid around. I'm a home garage mechanic, different than the guys that do this for a living and have the proper tools.
Any idea what the dealer charges or is it covered under an extended emission warranty?
I tried to do this process, but one of the hose clamp ears was right against the solenoid mounting bracket, I could not get the hose or clamp to turn and I didn't have the space to get the pliers at the right angle either. My solenoid was not on the chassis bracket so I could move the solenoid around. I'm a home garage mechanic, different than the guys that do this for a living and have the proper tools.
Any idea what the dealer charges or is it covered under an extended emission warranty?
09-03-2016, 11:18 AM
#148
Advanced
I also got P0449 on my 06 A6. Came on heading to Corvettes at Carlisle. While there I asked the Chevy tech if he had any tricks. All he said is that you have to remove the right muffler. But others have done it with out removing the muffler. So I climbed under my car and took a look. There is plenty of room to get you had up there and remove the unit. I used slip joint pliers to move the clamp. The hose was stuck, so I used a panel clip removal pliers to get the hose off with a little help with WD40. The rest was simple.
01-15-2017, 02:32 PM
#149
Advanced
Driving down the road and you see "Check Gas Cap" warning come up on the Drivers Info Center (DIC)...take heart, it's an easy fix 
and does not take much time or money to repair yourself.
First, check your fuses and your gas cap. The cap should be on good and make sure it's secure. Tank up and drive your car for about 50 miles. If the code does not clear you should replace your gas cap. I purchased one from my local Chevrolet dealer for $22.
Secondly, if after tanking up and replacing your gas cap the warning does not clear, then it's time to use your trusty code reader and see if you can't read and clear the code. If you don't have one you can purchase them at your local parts store for about $50.
Plug it in the OBD adapter located under the driver’s side dash.
Follow your reader’s instructions and read the codes.
In my case I had a P0449 and a P0455. P0449 Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Valve/Solenoid Circuit Malfunction and P0455 Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (gross leak)
I tried resetting my codes, but they would come back within seconds. The next step is purchase a new Fuel Vent Solenoid from your local dealer. In my case it was about $25. GM also recommends an upgraded harness ($30)...but it was not needed, so I will return it.
The Fuel Vent Solenoid is located on the passenger side tank near it’s top and is easy to get to. I removed my rear tire, jacked up the car, placed jack stands and chocks (I'm super cautious under a car).
Once under the car this is what you will see, and I have my finger on the part:
Remove the Vent Hose (it runs to your emissions canister) using a pair of pliers. You can rotate the clamp if needed to access the dog ears to open the clamp.
Unplug the power connection
Slide the Vent Solenoid Assy of its bracket. Although it looks like it would slide towards the front of the car it does not. Simply lift the back of the assy high enough for the dog ear to clear the back of the bracket and slide toward the rear of the car. The pic below shows you how it mounts and the dog ear location.
Put the new Vent Solenoid Assy back on by placing it on the bracket and slide it towards the front of the car. You will hear it click in place. Plug the power plug back in and reconnect the hose.
Here is the new one installed.
Now plug your code reader back in and scan for codes. If they come up hit erase.
This is what you should now see on your code reader. No Codes and the DIC is clear with no check engine light or warnings.
From start to finish the repair took 20 mins. The cost of the parts, including gas cap was about $50 and if the harness is needed it's about $80. If you don't have a code reader add another $50. Only tool needed is a pair of pliers.
In all this is a simple repair and does not cost much in terms of time or money to do yourself.
I hope this helps,
John
and does not take much time or money to repair yourself.First, check your fuses and your gas cap. The cap should be on good and make sure it's secure. Tank up and drive your car for about 50 miles. If the code does not clear you should replace your gas cap. I purchased one from my local Chevrolet dealer for $22.
Secondly, if after tanking up and replacing your gas cap the warning does not clear, then it's time to use your trusty code reader and see if you can't read and clear the code. If you don't have one you can purchase them at your local parts store for about $50.
Plug it in the OBD adapter located under the driver’s side dash.
Follow your reader’s instructions and read the codes.
In my case I had a P0449 and a P0455. P0449 Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Valve/Solenoid Circuit Malfunction and P0455 Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (gross leak)
I tried resetting my codes, but they would come back within seconds. The next step is purchase a new Fuel Vent Solenoid from your local dealer. In my case it was about $25. GM also recommends an upgraded harness ($30)...but it was not needed, so I will return it.
The Fuel Vent Solenoid is located on the passenger side tank near it’s top and is easy to get to. I removed my rear tire, jacked up the car, placed jack stands and chocks (I'm super cautious under a car).
Once under the car this is what you will see, and I have my finger on the part:
Remove the Vent Hose (it runs to your emissions canister) using a pair of pliers. You can rotate the clamp if needed to access the dog ears to open the clamp.
Unplug the power connection
Slide the Vent Solenoid Assy of its bracket. Although it looks like it would slide towards the front of the car it does not. Simply lift the back of the assy high enough for the dog ear to clear the back of the bracket and slide toward the rear of the car. The pic below shows you how it mounts and the dog ear location.
Put the new Vent Solenoid Assy back on by placing it on the bracket and slide it towards the front of the car. You will hear it click in place. Plug the power plug back in and reconnect the hose.
Here is the new one installed.
Now plug your code reader back in and scan for codes. If they come up hit erase.
This is what you should now see on your code reader. No Codes and the DIC is clear with no check engine light or warnings.
From start to finish the repair took 20 mins. The cost of the parts, including gas cap was about $50 and if the harness is needed it's about $80. If you don't have a code reader add another $50. Only tool needed is a pair of pliers.
In all this is a simple repair and does not cost much in terms of time or money to do yourself.
I hope this helps,
John
2005 Coupe. I removed the rear passenger side tire and looked for the vent value as indicated. I can't find it. Am I looking at the correct side? Do I need to remove any wheel walls?
The following users liked this post:
LS WON (01-16-2017)
02-14-2017, 09:58 AM
#151
Intermediate
I hate to bump an old thread again but I figured it's better than posting a new one regarding the same subject. I have a 2006 A6 and I'm really having a hard time finding this vent solenoid. Everyone keeps saying it's on the rear passenger side. I removed the rear passenger wheel yesterday after jacking up the car, and still nothing. I took a flashlight to the entire area where the mufflers would be (both deleted) with no luck at all. What am I missing? Is it more toward the center of the car underneath than toward the rear? It's very difficult to tell where it is from the pictures. I didn't want to start pulling the wheel well plastic off just yet. I was going to have a look under the car again today.
02-14-2017, 02:59 PM
#152
Race Director
I hate to bump an old thread again but I figured it's better than posting a new one regarding the same subject. I have a 2006 A6 and I'm really having a hard time finding this vent solenoid. Everyone keeps saying it's on the rear passenger side. I removed the rear passenger wheel yesterday after jacking up the car, and still nothing. I took a flashlight to the entire area where the mufflers would be (both deleted) with no luck at all. What am I missing? Is it more toward the center of the car underneath than toward the rear? It's very difficult to tell where it is from the pictures. I didn't want to start pulling the wheel well plastic off just yet. I was going to have a look under the car again today.
02-14-2017, 03:09 PM
#153
Intermediate
I was actually able to locate it again looking in the correct area this time. I snapped some pictures for those who have A6 C6's. You don't have to remove anything, but it would make it easier if you dropped your right muffler and exhaust pipe. Mine are deleted, so it made it easier, but still a squeeze to get behind the piping to get at the clamp. I hope this helps for those who had trouble finding the solenoid such as myself.
The following 2 users liked this post by DSS-Customs:
High Altitude Vette (05-23-2017),
LS WON (02-15-2017)
02-14-2017, 03:10 PM
#154
Intermediate
04-20-2017, 04:05 PM
#157
Excellent write up and great pictures
Driving down the road and you see "Check Gas Cap" warning come up on the Drivers Info Center (DIC)...take heart, it's an easy fix and does not take much time or money to repair yourself.
First, check your fuses and your gas cap. The cap should be on good and make sure it's secure. Tank up and drive your car for about 50 miles. If the code does not clear you should replace your gas cap. I purchased one from my local Chevrolet dealer for $22.
Secondly, if after tanking up and replacing your gas cap the warning does not clear, then it's time to use your trusty code reader and see if you can't read and clear the code. If you don't have one you can purchase them at your local parts store for about $50.
Plug it in the OBD adapter located under the driver’s side dash.
Follow your reader’s instructions and read the codes.
In my case I had a P0449 and a P0455. P0449 Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Valve/Solenoid Circuit Malfunction and P0455 Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (gross leak)
I tried resetting my codes, but they would come back within seconds. The next step is purchase a new Fuel Vent Solenoid from your local dealer. In my case it was about $25. GM also recommends an upgraded harness ($30)...but it was not needed, so I will return it.
The Fuel Vent Solenoid is located on the passenger side tank near it’s top and is easy to get to. I removed my rear tire, jacked up the car, placed jack stands and chocks (I'm super cautious under a car).
Once under the car this is what you will see, and I have my finger on the part:
Remove the Vent Hose (it runs to your emissions canister) using a pair of pliers. You can rotate the clamp if needed to access the dog ears to open the clamp.
Unplug the power connection
Slide the Vent Solenoid Assy of its bracket. Although it looks like it would slide towards the front of the car it does not. Simply lift the back of the assy high enough for the dog ear to clear the back of the bracket and slide toward the rear of the car. The pic below shows you how it mounts and the dog ear location.
Put the new Vent Solenoid Assy back on by placing it on the bracket and slide it towards the front of the car. You will hear it click in place. Plug the power plug back in and reconnect the hose.
Here is the new one installed.
Now plug your code reader back in and scan for codes. If they come up hit erase.
This is what you should now see on your code reader. No Codes and the DIC is clear with no check engine light or warnings.
From start to finish the repair took 20 mins. The cost of the parts, including gas cap was about $50 and if the harness is needed it's about $80. If you don't have a code reader add another $50. Only tool needed is a pair of pliers.
In all this is a simple repair and does not cost much in terms of time or money to do yourself.
I hope this helps,
John
and does not take much time or money to repair yourself.First, check your fuses and your gas cap. The cap should be on good and make sure it's secure. Tank up and drive your car for about 50 miles. If the code does not clear you should replace your gas cap. I purchased one from my local Chevrolet dealer for $22.
Secondly, if after tanking up and replacing your gas cap the warning does not clear, then it's time to use your trusty code reader and see if you can't read and clear the code. If you don't have one you can purchase them at your local parts store for about $50.
Plug it in the OBD adapter located under the driver’s side dash.
Follow your reader’s instructions and read the codes.
In my case I had a P0449 and a P0455. P0449 Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Valve/Solenoid Circuit Malfunction and P0455 Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (gross leak)
I tried resetting my codes, but they would come back within seconds. The next step is purchase a new Fuel Vent Solenoid from your local dealer. In my case it was about $25. GM also recommends an upgraded harness ($30)...but it was not needed, so I will return it.
The Fuel Vent Solenoid is located on the passenger side tank near it’s top and is easy to get to. I removed my rear tire, jacked up the car, placed jack stands and chocks (I'm super cautious under a car).
Once under the car this is what you will see, and I have my finger on the part:
Remove the Vent Hose (it runs to your emissions canister) using a pair of pliers. You can rotate the clamp if needed to access the dog ears to open the clamp.
Unplug the power connection
Slide the Vent Solenoid Assy of its bracket. Although it looks like it would slide towards the front of the car it does not. Simply lift the back of the assy high enough for the dog ear to clear the back of the bracket and slide toward the rear of the car. The pic below shows you how it mounts and the dog ear location.
Put the new Vent Solenoid Assy back on by placing it on the bracket and slide it towards the front of the car. You will hear it click in place. Plug the power plug back in and reconnect the hose.
Here is the new one installed.
Now plug your code reader back in and scan for codes. If they come up hit erase.
This is what you should now see on your code reader. No Codes and the DIC is clear with no check engine light or warnings.
From start to finish the repair took 20 mins. The cost of the parts, including gas cap was about $50 and if the harness is needed it's about $80. If you don't have a code reader add another $50. Only tool needed is a pair of pliers.
In all this is a simple repair and does not cost much in terms of time or money to do yourself.
I hope this helps,
John
Jim
05-22-2017, 08:04 PM
#158
Melting Slicks
Good thread, had code, erased a few times to make sure not a fluke ordered on amazon, with correct plug for 2008 for 22 Bucks on prime.
Installed with nothing other then jacking car up and laying under it.
Installed with nothing other then jacking car up and laying under it.
06-08-2017, 06:15 PM
#160
Burning Brakes
thought all emissions equipment was covered under 10 year warranty? I just pulled the code on my neighbor and dealer told him his is not covered, it is an 07 (bought 12/07)