Already took it once to Autozone.
It is the evap emissions system..........gas cap loose.
Which is bullshit because the make the beast with two backser is tight.
I had them reset the system and I filled up Saturday afternoon.
make the beast with two backsing light came on AGAIN!
I am running 87 octane in it. Engine runs fine, no pinging, etc.
Think if I ran 89 octane that could change it?
any suggestions would be great, I am sick of goign to Autozone and looking like more of an idiot than I already am to have the guy go "you have a loose gas cap"
Here's some advice: Shove it off a cliff, and buy a Chevy, like I told you to in the beginning.
Take it in, bro. You obviously have an emissions problem (double-meaning intended).
Do you have a metric gascap or regular kind?
Quote from: Sinister on May 04, 2009, 11:41:46 AM
Do you have a metric gascap or regular kind?
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [clap] [clap] [clap]
I have an almost constant CEL due to evap problem. The fix told to me was a new cap because the little flapper thing that lets the tank pressurize but still vent extra pressure breaks on Dakotas apparently ~
JM
Yeah, +1 on the gas cap - I had mine tested at my last state inspection, and it would not hold pressure. That's not to say that the bastard didn't poke a hole in it before testing, but the new one was $10. You also might try "rebooting" your ECU by disconnecting your battery.
Quote from: ZLTFUL on May 04, 2009, 11:44:59 AM
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [clap] [clap] [clap]
Always a winner, that one. [thumbsup]
Is the resevoir for your blinker fluid low?
That could cause a rogue CEL.
^^ my stupid dodge neon would agree..
Take it to a real shop. The evap system has a leak somewhere. Auto Zone will just keep selling you caps until you are bankrupt because that is what the scan tool says. All the computer knows is there is no positive or negative pressure in the tank.
^^^^ +11111111
Jud,
There is about 10 different parts and more than 10 feet of lines that can go bad. Take it to a shop and get it pressure tested and have them put the smoke machine on it. You'll find the leak that way. [thumbsup]
I haven't replaced the cap yet.
If they are 10$, I will try that first.
But yeah, might end up taking it in if it continues.
Always a good plan, start at the least expensive possibility and work your way up...
First take off the gas cap and look at the seal underneath. Make sure it isn't cracked. 2nd, quit takin your car to autozone. Just because they have a scan tool to pull codes doesn't mean they can tell you what's wrong or diagnose a problem like an actual technician. Those guys are not mechanics in any sense of the word, they look up parts on a computer and usually suck at it. Third, if its not a faulty gas cap then take it to someone who has experience with that particular car. Preferably the Lexus dealer. Before you flame me let me explain. A general service shop may not have too much diagnostic experience with that particular car, a dealer will and it may be a common problem that the dealer sees often. This may in turn lead to the general service shop charging you diagnostic time that can push the repair bill higher than the dealers. If there is in fact an evaporative emissions leak as it sounds then there is a good chance the part will be dealer specific and you won't save any on parts or worse the general service shop may charge a mark up. This type of repair will probably require a smoke machine to diagnose and a general service shop may not own one, a dealer usually will. PM me if you would like to discuss.
Jon
I had a similar issue and it turned out to be the fittings into the evap can had rusted and cracked the case causing the leak.
The dealer fixed it right first shot. [thumbsup]
Quote from: trouble on May 04, 2009, 07:21:46 PM
I had a similar issue and it turned out to be the fittings into the evap can had rusted and cracked the case causing the leak.
The dealer fixed it right first shot. [thumbsup]
Just curious, what kind of car was this?
Quote from: Ducaholic on May 04, 2009, 07:35:58 PM
Just curious, what kind of car was this?
Nissan Pathfinder 2004
Thanks guys for all the good advice.
The oddest thing is when I started running 87 octane, the damn light came on.
Prior to that, I was running 89 and no issues.
I have no issue with getting the issue resolved, but it always happens about a day after I fill it up.
My mileage has not suffered as a result of this, so I don't think it is an O2 sensor, which is a common cause for that stupid light to come on. But again, nobody has mentioned that on here, so I am just speaking from experience on other vehicles.
I'd just prefer an easier solution as the Lexus Dealer charges 85$ just to run the diagnostic on it.
Check that blinker fluid, man.
Quote from: Sinister on May 04, 2009, 09:17:21 PM
Check that blinker fluid, man.
We can also talk about the mysterious light that is illuminated that tells me I have a rear brake light out too.
All are fully functional.
Quote from: cyrus buelton on May 04, 2009, 09:14:25 PM
Thanks guys for all the good advice.
The oddest thing is when I started running 87 octane, the damn light came on.
Prior to that, I was running 89 and no issues.
I have no issue with getting the issue resolved, but it always happens about a day after I fill it up.
My mileage has not suffered as a result of this, so I don't think it is an O2 sensor, which is a common cause for that stupid light to come on. But again, nobody has mentioned that on here, so I am just speaking from experience on other vehicles.
I'd just prefer an easier solution as the Lexus Dealer charges 85$ just to run the diagnostic on it.
There are quite a bit of different things that can cause a check engine light to come on. In your case it sounds like the evaporative emissions system. In that system there are a handful of things that can fail and cause the light to come on. The code that Autozone pulled just points a tech in the general direction. It is in no way saying "replace that part right there". This is where an experienced Lexus Technician comes into play. He has to decipher the code and start looking for problems. Whenever a code is stored, there are pages of data that get stored with it. It's going to be Japanese to that autozone guy and maybe rough spanish to the general service tech. Take it to the dealer where the techs there are familiar with the car and have most likely seen the problem.
If I was to take a shot in the dark I would say you have a fuel tank vent valve problem, or a carbon canister purge problem because you say the light comes on after you fill up. Both those systems need to be checked before an accurate diagnosis can be made. There is a reason the dealer charges you to diagnostic time vs autozone doing it for free.
Thanks Ducaholic for the advice.
I am going to get this resolved, but I am pretty busy the next several weeks.
Is this hurting my vehicle to drive with it on?
It shouldn't hurt the car at all.
The check engine light only comes on for Emissions Reasons. The only time you should actually worry is if the check engine light flashes which means it is misfiring but you would probably notice by it running like shit and shaking.
We used to send cars out with CELs all the time while we were waiting for parts. [thumbsup]
I figured it wasn't hurting anything, the owner's manual says if it is flashing (like you suggested) to take it in.
Got the check engine light on in the Jetta too. I think the coolant level monitoring sensor is bad or something ridiculously stupid like that.
make the beast with two backsing cars
Guess I should have bought a Chevy like Sinister said
Quote from: metallimonster on May 05, 2009, 06:42:46 AM
It shouldn't hurt the car at all.
The check engine light only comes on for Emissions Reasons. The only time you should actually worry is if the check engine light flashes which means it is misfiring but you would probably notice by it running like shit and shaking.
We used to send cars out with CELs all the time while we were waiting for parts. [thumbsup]
+1. If the light is not flashing your okay.
Could it be summer blend gas? My CEL comes on when I fill up at a certain filling station, but not when I go to more reputable petrol dealers. I use 87 across the board, but some stations always give me a CEL until the tank is empty and I refill at the Marathon down the street from home.
Quote from: cyrus buelton on May 05, 2009, 07:17:41 AM
Got the check engine light on in the Jetta too. I think the coolant level monitoring sensor is bad or something ridiculously stupid like that.
make the beast with two backsing cars
Guess I should have bought a Chevy like Sinister said
It's probably the coolant temp sensor. Those things are notorious for going bad. Makes the ECM think it is running colder than it is which richens the fuel mapping.
Quote from: metallimonster on May 05, 2009, 07:37:05 AM
It's probably the coolant temp sensor. Those things are notorious for going bad. Makes the ECM think it is running colder than it is which richens the fuel mapping.
Yup!
that's exactly what it is. The wife picked it up from the dealer after a servicing, so she remembered what it was.
Is that easy to change out?
Thanks Jay (metallimonster)!
Got all my "warning" lights to go off.
Not sure all would agree, but his advice has worked for 15 miles of driving through our email conversations.