CEL light question....

[demarpaint]

The other day my CEL came on in my 08 Jeep Liberty P0456 Evap Emissions System Small leak. It came on about 4000 miles ago with the same code. I had a feeling at the time I was possibly pumping a bit to much gas into the tank. Fast forward to today, I was doing some under hood checks, started it up, and the CEL came on, same code P0456. I haven't gassed up in about 2 weeks and I have 3/4 of a tank at the moment. The cap is secure.

I'm still new to the Scanner and I accidentally cleared the codes. The bad news is I'm due for a NYS inspection in December and my warranty is up the end of December as well. How many on/off cycles before the yellow light on my code reader goes out and indicates that the system is 100% again? It is flashing that testing isn't complete yet and giving a yellow light. The scanner is the Eqqus 3160. The dealer won't check for a CEL unless the light is on or there is a charge.

I was thinking of bring it to the dealer for the inspection and if it fails it's their problem because it's still under warranty. But I really would rather not deal with them at all.

TIA

 

[Bill in Utah]

Id prob say its a new cap time.

As far as how many cycles before the OBDII system is ready after clearing codes? Depends on the manufacture of the vehicle. I've seen it go from clearing to ready within a 20 mile drive to weeks. My GMC truck took at least 15 trips and couple hundred miles before going to ready.

My sisters Caravan threw a code and we replaced the gas cap after trying many times to get it to seat and once the new cap was on, cleared the code a 10 mile to the store and back, put the scanner on and it was ready.

Take care, Bill

 

[demarpaint]

Thanks Bill- I might just have to bite the bullet and bring it back to the dealer then. If it fails I'm screwed if I take it elsewhere. I guess I can price out a gas cap and see. Always last minute problems!

 

[OilNerd]

If it fails for not having enough monitors being ready, but passes the safety checks (tires, brakes, etc.), you'll get an automatic 10-day inspection extension with the failure report.

IIRC, you can only have one monitor not ready for your model year (2008).

 

[demarpaint]

Thanks for the info. I want to make one trip and be over and done with it. IIRC they'll charge me for a second inspection too. For $10 I'm going to toss a new gas cap on it, and drive the heck out of it and see if I get a green light in the next few days.

 

[Virtuoso]

I'd have to agree with Bill - it's probably just the gas gap.

 

[OilNerd]

I hope the new cap solves your problem. If you do get a fail, KEEP THE FAILURE REPORT. If you bring it back with the failure report within 30 days for a re-inspection, you'll only have to pay for the part of the inspection you failed, which is usually significantly less than the full fee (fee varies by region in NY).

I got gigged this year for my rear brake hoses (mildly weather-cracked), and only had to pay $9 or $10 the second time. Full fee is $21 here.

 

[demarpaint]

Well with the AAP online coupons a gas cap was less than $10, I bought one. The CEL is still out but the yellow light on the scanner is still on.

I/M monitor status HCA is grayed out, and EVA is blinking. I'm trying to figure out what that means. I've driven about 5 miles with the new gas cap, I put it on in AAP's lot and drove home.

As always thanks!

 

[OilNerd]

My best guesses: HCA grayed out - Heated Catalyst monitor (not supported by your vehicle). EVA - Evaporative emissions monitor (gas cap and fuel system) not ready.

 

[demarpaint]

That's what I thought. Hopefully it gets ready before the end of December. LOL

 

[Jim 5]

Why don't you drive it with the gas cap off to set the light again, then go back to the dealer with the issue?

Wouldn't this set your CEL triggering a free code check under warranty?

 

[demarpaint]

I never thought of that. I might just do it. The thought of dealing with them is sickening which is why I was asking here. I had a phone conversation a while back with them about a TSB and it left me with a sick feeling about dealing with them. If I still have a yellow light on my code scanner in a few days I might just trip the CEL by taking the gas cap off and running it. Thanks!

 

[ComfyShorts]

Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Why don't you drive it with the gas cap off to set the light again, then go back to the dealer with the issue?

Wouldn't this set your CEL triggering a free code check under warranty?


Because taking the gas cap off will set off a large evap leak code not a small one. Unless you get it juuuuust lose enough

...

 

[Vikas]

Since you can pass with one incomplete, just watch it until it it reaches that state and get it inspected from anywhere. For example, if EVAP is the last one to be completed and if that fails, you will get the CEL! This way you can get your sticker first and then you can fight with the dealer later.

- Vikas

 

[OilNerd]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Since you can pass with one incomplete, just watch it until it it reaches that state and get it inspected from anywhere. For example, if EVAP is the last one to be completed and if that fails, you will get the CEL! This way you can get your sticker first and then you can fight with the dealer later.

- Vikas


Good idea, Vikas. You can keep some EVAP monitors from running by keeping the tank near full.

 

[demarpaint]

Thanks guys. I have the new cap on, and a little under 3/4 of a tank of gas. I made an appointment with the dealer for Thursday, online, but I will probably cancel it. Then I can get the inspection early in December and if I fail take it back to the dealer before the warranty runs out at the end of the month. I'd rather burn the $20 then deal with those morons unless I have to. Their attitude was horrible when dealing with them for parts, or discussing service.

I have a feeling the cap was bad, hopefully I find out within the next few days.

 

[dwendt44]

If I'm not mistaken, the pollution system has an government imposed 80,000 mile warranty.

Back to the dealer.

 

[demarpaint]

3/36000 according to my dealer's servcie writer unless the Cat Converter is bad, and one other emissions part which is slipping my mind at the moment.