I just started getting this message on Friday. It scrolled by in the odometer display after turning the key on and went away when I press select to change the display, but came back on everytime I restarted (also, if I press select enough times, it eventually cycles back to that message). I checked the cap and it was tight (I went several clicks to be sure). This morning, the message was gone. Anyone seen this or know what could be causing it? We have had lower than usual daytime temps over the last couple of days, so maybe that has something to do with it?

 

Did you have your window down or your door possibly open when refueling the car? That Gas cap light works off of sensors that detect gas fuemes. Since it has been colder out, gas fumes tend to be more potent, at least to my nose. This may have cause the light to come on. In most cars I have worked on, this light turns itself off when It no longer senses the problem. It doesn't throw a code in computer that has to be cleared or reset. If it doesn't come back on the I say your okay and that was the problem. If it does come back on and if what I described is not the problem them I don't know what else to tell you other than take it to the dealer. Good Luck!

 

Have you read page 68 of the Owner's Manual?

 

i don't think so, and the tank is 1/2 full, so it's been a while since the cap was off.

 

I remembered that part about re-opening and closing until the click, but I guess I missed the part about pressing and holding SEL/RESET to clear it. Mine eventually cleared on its own, I guess it got tired of waiting. It's still a mystery why it came on in the first place...

 

Well, That strange. I don't know what else would cause that. I hope that it doesn't come back on for you.

 

The cap might not been initially tight enough since the message eventually went away after tightening it. In my 99 Accord I had, I filled up, thought I had it tight enough. The (check engine) light didn't come on right away, but when it eventually did I was going crazy trying to figure out what was wrong. I was at around 103,000 ... so I was thinking O2 sensors among other things. Read the maual, tightened the cap and it took three full cold to full warm drives to make the light go out. I think your car was just notifying you that the cap wasn't 'perfectly' secure, and it is an emissions saavy car. You might have had it almost to a click, and then through some vibrations (RR crossings, potholes, rough road surface) it loosened slightly and that would cause the delayed reaction. You could always do an experiment and loosen the cap start the car, then tighten it and see if you get the same pattern.

That is a nice feature to TELL you what is wrong. Does anyone know if the HCH I does this as well, since it is also a matrix display?

 

It's actually a pressure sensor. You may, or may not notice, as it's almost silent, but a small unit generates pressure inside the fuel system. When the pressure falls, the sensor reports. It often takes several drives, and even a fresh tank of fuel to reset the sensor. There are no fume sensors in the vehicle.

If the sesor reports for more than a few days worth of driving, like Shaun mentioned, you may want to have it checked.

Chris.

 

Thanks for the info everyone. I usually try to go at least three clicks, but I don't remember if i actually did that this time. As ElanC pointed out, the manual states that you can clear/reset the message by holding down the SEL/RESET button for a few seconds.

 

I have had vehicles with both types of sensors. My truck actually has a pressure sensor and a vapor sensor. I had the vapor sensor replace in the truck. I wasn't actually sure if the HCH II had one or the other or both. Thanks for the info chris, I'll keep that in mind.