CEL went out on its own, why?

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demarpaint

demarpaint

Joined
Jul 3, 2005
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I had an issue with my 08 Jeep Liberty CEL coming on. I hooked it up to a code scanner and got code P0455 checked the gas cap and the light stayed on. I disconnected the battery, and the light went off for a little over 600 miles, and came on again. I left it alone this time and scheduled an appointment at the dealer, which I really want to avoid unless it is absolutely necessary.

Since the light came on I've driven 50 miles and it has now gone off, I did not gas up during that 50 mile period. Any idea what is going on here? This is my first car with this generation ECM so I'm new to this.

Funny thing is this: what triggered the CEL was the remote start, I hit the remote start the Jeep started and stalled. When I got into it to start it with the key the CEL was on. Again code P0455 no other codes. Once the Jeep stalls with the remote start the remote start will no longer start it, you must use the key. It runs just fine!!!

I'd rather not go back to the dealer, and as I mentioned this time the CEL went off on its own. Did it heal itself? LOL

As always thanks!
 
Depends on what triggered the CEL. I loose gas cap that is reset with turn itself off in X number & time it senses no pressure change. A system that triggers the light if a particular sensor is out of specs for XX running minutes and then for XX minutes of operation returns to normal within parameters and stays normal for XX time. Other more critical problems will not reset automatically.
 
It's probably the reverse. The CEL disabled the remote start. You don't want to start your car and have no oil pressure while you have your coffee do you? The remote start system isn't sophisticated enough to check codes, it just stops the engine if it senses a CEL. It takes a certain number of start cycles or time for the CEL to reset after the problem is corrected, so after you checked the gas cap took a while before the CEL reset itself. Code scanners come in handy don't they? My dealer wants a hundred bucks to tell me the code and I can get a scanner for fifty!
 
Thanks for the replies. Do you guys suggest I leave well enough alone for now? I'd rather not go back to the dealer.
 
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Thanks for the replies. Do you guys suggest I leave well enough alone for now? I'd rather not go back to the dealer.



I'd get it fixed. Is the vehicle still under warranty? Why do you hate going to the dealer so much?

Something seems to be wrong, I'd want to get it fixed.


Originally Posted By: Troy_Built
Id just be glad it went off.....


I wouldn't. I'd want to know what the issue is.
 
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Thanks for the replies. Do you guys suggest I leave well enough alone for now? I'd rather not go back to the dealer.
If the code you got is for the gas cap, save your money and carry on. Mine goes off about once a year. Probably a small piece of debris in the cap. If it's still under warranty and the dealer will check it for free then pay them a visit if it'll make you feel better.
 
Originally Posted By: marcre



I'd get it fixed. Is the vehicle still under warranty? Why do you hate going to the dealer so much?



These dealers in the NY area suck. If they say it is the gas cap they will bang me for 1 hours labor, warranty or not. Then I'm in for a fight I'll win, but who needs the grief? Then the upsell for a bunch of [censored] that doesn't have to be done, I'd rather not deal with it.

I worked in car dealerships, I know all the little tricks. The mom and pop store I bought my Jeep from was shut down by Chrysler, I would have to go to a dealership with a horrible reputation, take a day off and baby sit them. That in a nutshell is why I'd rather not go back. I have an appointment 2 weeks out, so I can see if the CEL stays off. If it comes on again or the remote start should trigger the CEL I'll have no choice. Again thanks for the replies.
 
im surprised at the comments of a gas cap CEL happening now and again... Ive never had one ever.
 
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
Originally Posted By: marcre



I'd get it fixed. Is the vehicle still under warranty? Why do you hate going to the dealer so much?



These dealers in the NY area suck. If they say it is the gas cap they will bang me for 1 hours labor, warranty or not. Then I'm in for a fight I'll win, but who needs the grief? Then the upsell for a bunch of [censored] that doesn't have to be done, I'd rather not deal with it.

I worked in car dealerships, I know all the little tricks. The mom and pop store I bought my Jeep from was shut down by Chrysler, I would have to go to a dealership with a horrible reputation, take a day off and baby sit them. That in a nutshell is why I'd rather not go back. I have an appointment 2 weeks out, so I can see if the CEL stays off. If it comes on again or the remote start should trigger the CEL I'll have no choice. Again thanks for the replies.


I hear you, but if it is something that comes back after warranty, then you're screwed.

I've taken my car in to get looked at a couple times under warranty and they never charge me. That sucks if they try and charge you.
 
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The code will still be stored even though the check engine light is out. I would take it to the dealer just so you can have a record of the fact that at one time it stored a code. Then, after your warranty is up, if the check engine light comes on with the same code you can say, "Hey, I already complained of this when it was under warranty and you guys didn't fix it, shouldn't that still be covered?"
 
Good point. I have the appointment for 5/19. I will have a chat about any possible costs with the service writer before hand. There are no maint items due, and upselling me is impossible so that is out of the loop.

The good news is the P0455 code (Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected) is emissions system and that is covered beyond the normal Jeep warranty anyway under Federal law IIRC.

Thanks!
 
See if the the code is still pending. I do hope that you finally purchased the scanner otherwise dealer *will* take you for a ride.

- Vikas
 
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
A loose gas cap is a common cause of this code, but it is not exclusive.
We don't know what is acting up on the system.


Exactly. From what I've heard from friends this dealership typically tightens the gas cap, clears the code and bangs you for an hours labor, then sends you packing. On the return visit, they do a smoke test "under warranty", but you're out the hours labor from the prior visit.

If I do go, I plan on telling them that the gas cap was tightened codes cleared, and the CEL came on again and went off. At leat this way I put them on notice.

I've been borrowing a code reader, I'm still short on cash. The thought of the visit to the dealership sickens me. Sorry guys!
 
CEL code P0455 Evap Emissions system, possible gas cap will get charged. My next door neighbor gassed up her new Rav 4. The CEL came on a day later. She went to the local Toyota dealer she bought it from and they banged her for $110 to check for codes and clear them. They informed her it was the gas cap that wasn't tightened properly and that is not covered by warranty. She owns a 2009 RAV 4 under warranty. Jeep Chrysler does the same thing here.

In my case I know the gas cap is on tight and I also know the code. As I mentioned above they have sent people away charging them to check and clear the P0455 code, blaming the gas cap not being tightened the typical 3 clicks. Then if the vehicle comes in a second time they smoke test for leaks. Problem is the customer is still out for the prior visit. Neat little money making trick. I try and avoid conflict when ever possible.
 
That sucks. My dealership doesn't pull that stuff.

I'd try and see if it is the gas cap or not. If it's not, I'd tell them that.
 
Thanks, unfortunately all I can do is pull a code. I can't smoke test it, or test the gas cap.

What I find odd is the CEL went off on its own, which makes the possibility of a leak in the EVAP Emission system less likely? And a gas cap issue more likely? I will take the gas cap off tomorrow and clean it and its mating surface as a precautionary measure.

I have about a week and a half to see what happens with this. I'm holding onto the appointment I made.
 
I had a strange occurance of a CEL that went out a while back....I added a bottle of Techron to my nearly empty gas tank (Beyond E), filled up 12 gallons as per the bottle directions.....went cruising around to work a couple days, normal driving....one day out of nowhere the CEL came on, I was going on my way to work, Advance is right around the corner where I work so I was gonna have them pull the code, but merging onto the highway I slammed on the throttle to merge into traffic, and off the CEL went :P

No idea what happened, likely the Techron cleaned up something, that flaked off and got stuck on the o2 sensor or something, went I slammed on the accelerator, it "cleaned it off" and off went the CEL? :) Since the CEL went off, I never thought to go get it read....so to this day I don't know exactly what triggered it :)
 
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