'Check Engine" light, generic "Gas Cap" code, need help

Hello all. '05 here with a 'Check Engine' light. Had it hooked up and coded, gave the generic 'Gas Cap' code (didn't write the code down, sorry). Unscrewed the cap, checked for breaks, put cap back on, had the light reset. Light is back on now. Guy said the code could be the gas cap, the seal, a small leak (somewhere, forget where he said it could be), or the sensor may be bad. Just looking for some general guidance on what I should do next. Is this typical?I'm thinking go buy a new cap and start from there? Dunno if there's some common thing I should check/replace that usually fixes this issue. Mechanical skill is only a 3/10, so I'm kinda in the dark here >.< Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

I would start with a new cap also. Of course that being said it could be a leak anywhere in the evap system.

 

mine always comes on 2003 tacoma. unhook the battery and it goes off, but eventually comes back on. dio test done. shows nothing wrong. my 2000 camry does the same

 

Could it be from over filling the tank?

 

Over filling the gas tank will dump raw liquid gasoline into the evaporator system and charcoal canister. This will destroy the charcoal canister and will throw an evap system code.

Short answer: Yes.

 

I had 2 gas caps both were Toyota caps go on me til I bought one from auto zone that was over a year ago and no check engine light since

 

You may want to look at your vacuum hoses, as they are 7 years old in a hot engine compartment. There should be a vinyl decal under the hood or near the radiator support that shows a routing of all your vacuum hoses and where they are under the hood. Check them over and feel them to see if they are hard or too soft or if they are cracked. This is most likely after looking at the gas cap. Good Luck.

 

Yikes! When I fill up, I FILL UP! 90% of the time I fill all the way to the port opening. I've had the truck since new, and other than the gas cap seal finally going bad a few months ago I've had zero problems or CEL codes. I guess I should just fill until the pump kicks off!

 

Yeah I knew it throw some code but wasnt sure which one.

 

Pump until it clicks off. at most just round off to even dollars after the first click off. Raw gas will screw up the charcoal canister. They run an average of $300.00 or more.

 

Take your truck to a shop and have them smoke test the EVAP system. this is the easiest way to find a leak. In the long run it would probably be cheaper than throwing parts at it.

 

Based on my income, I'm gong to start with a simple gas cap swap. Hopefully that will fix the issue. If the problem persists, I'll check the hoses and then have the evap/canister checked. My money is on either the cap or that canister, as I also fill up past the pump's "click". Won't be doing it anymore, that's for sure.

 

UPDATE: Bought a new fuel cap. Few days later, the Check Engine light went away by itself. All is well. Thanks again for the feedback everyone!

 

I have the same problem but I replaced my fuel cap with a cheap one from auto zone and the light is still on. It’s been about 2 weeks. Any suggestions thanks.

 

Get a better cap, like a factory one

 

Even a new cap can leak. Get a new OEM cap. Clean the cap before you use it, and every time you remove it. Also clean the inlet where the gas cap seats every time. You may think a sealed connection won't collect dirt. WRONG! Every time you get gas you'll be amazed how dirty it got. Plus your new cap will last twice as long.