Ford Explorer: Check Fuel Cap light

Hi Jim,

I had something similar happen on my '97 XLT a couple of years back.

At the time, the dealer asked me if I sometimes left the ignition in
the 'accessory' position while I was filling up (I do, as I often
leave the radio on to listen to while refueling.)

He claimed that there is a sensor to detect a vacuum leak in the fuel
tank, and that by leaving the ignition on (even in 'accessory') while
refueling could trigger this.

Not sure if this is a known issue, or whether the dealer was just
feeding me some lame excuse, but since then I've always left the
ignition completely off while refueling, and the condition has never
reappeared. Oh yeah, I seem to remember that the dealer corrected the
issue by replacing the fuel cap, which was about an $18 part. Again,
not sure why this would be needed, as it seems likely to me that the
sensor wouldn't be in the gas cap, but...

Hope this helps.
<Steve>


com (Jim Johnston) wrote in message news:<google.com>... 

On 12 Oct 2003 09:13:58 -0700, com (Jim Johnston)
wrote:
 


I believe it's just one of the many federal requirements for emission
control. If you don't have a cap you vent gas vapors. So they
require the computer test for that condition.

The sensor is not in the gas cap (don't know where that idea might
originate) but there are valves in the gas cap that are prone to leaking.

Additionally, for those states with emissions testing, there is a
requirement for emissions related codes to remain in history in order to
foil those that might try to usurp the testing regimen.

We must remember that cleaner air isn't a cash grab by anyone (though
cleaner air doesan't come cheap)...... it's a growing concern in many well
populated areas. Indeed, for those living in the Los Angeles basin, it is
all ready a major concern with other urban settings joining up fast.


--
Jim Warman
net

"Steve Reppucci" <com> wrote in message
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news:<google.com>... 

com (Jim Johnston) wrote in message news:<google.com>... 

The most common leak found in evaporative systems is a loose gas cap,
hence, Ford is trying to prevent (underline that) you from taking your
car to the service station by signaling you to tighten the gas cap and
fix it yourself. The more money Ford spends on warranty service the
less profit they make.

Ten drive cycles are not required to reset the light. If the MIL is
lit, it will take three drive cycles to turn it off. I believe the
check Fuel Cap light will turn off it one trip. Now here's the
catch...You must drive the car is a specific manner to meet all the
conditions necessary to run the evaportive leak check. Most of the
time our everyday driving conditions do not meet the required
conditions for the evaporative leak test. For example, it takes about
a month of driving my normal routine for the system to run an
evaporative leak check on my truck, and I take about four trips in a
day. Let's see, 4 times 30 equals 120 trips to turn off a Fuel Cap
light. However, if I knew what conditions were required to run the
test I could turn the light off in just one trip (i.e., cold start,
stable cruise at x mph for y seconds, etc.).

As you know, you can turn the light off by disconnecting the battery.
But, if the state you live in has a smog check program and they're
checking the computer system, you will probably fail the inspection if
you've recently disconnected your battery to clear fault information.

Tom

>Additionally, for those states with emissions testing, there is a 

Here in Chicago if you've got a newer car all they do for the emissions test is
plug into the diagnostic port. Much better than a couple years back when the
put your car on a dyno!

Anyone here from California? I'm led to believe that their's is one of the
most stringent programs to pass.


--
Jim Warman
net

"Sustang" <com> wrote in message
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to 
test is 
when the 

In article <D94kb.10936$qh7.408@edtnps84>,
Jim Warman <net> wrote: 

My 94 Explorer gets tested every other year. They use a dyno to test
with a sniffer in the exhaust pipe, and it's connected to the DMV
computer so the results are recorded immediately after the test. You
do get a copy of the results.


--
Mike Iglesias Email: acs.uci.edu
University of California, Irvine phone: 949-824-6926
Network & Academic Computing Services FAX: 949-824-2069

>Hope you aren't afraid to have your car on the dyno as the still do it 

It depends on the year of the car. If you have a newer car they just plug into
the OBD port. If it comes up ok your done.