Check Engine Light on at 8K? - Honda Pilot

memojo · 08-28-2004, 10:28 AM

The Check Engine Light (not the Maintenance Required reminder) came on yesterday at just over 8,000 miles. I've been through this before with other cars, so I'm willing to give it three or four days to reset. The Pilot isn't behaving strangely -- no stalling, hesitation, etc. I removed the gas cap and put it back on with multiple clicks, too. But I was wondering: This happened about a day after I bought gas, and I remember the kid at the gas station topping off the tank to an extreme amount as he tried to reach a round number for the sale. Is it possible an over-fill would trigger the warning light?

john802 · 08-28-2004, 10:39 AM

IMO...a over-filled gas tank will not bring the check engine light, but a gas cap not installed properly would.

jay · 08-28-2004, 11:15 AM

I've never heard of an over-fill causing the check engine light to come on, but it's not a good thing for the emissions control system. IIRC, there's a charcoal cannister that can get screwed up from regular over-filling.

N_Jay · 08-28-2004, 11:57 AM

I have heard that overfilling can cause teh light to come on.

The expanation I heard is that liquid fuel can get into vent lines.
This can prevent the normal movement of vapor and turn on the light.

It makes sense to me, but since I don't top up, and in reality we rarely every know the exact cause of a random MIL, I can't say if it true of false.

PNW-Pilot · 08-30-2004, 11:53 AM

I can't speak for the pilot personally, as I don't overfill it.

But I've overfilled nearly 200 rental cars, it's a matter of habit, as I get gas in town to save money, and the extra gas get me to airport still on full. I've driven 10-30 miles regually on the tank after the fill and before drop off, I have yet to experience one check engine light.

YMMV

nolan65 · 08-30-2004, 12:16 PM

Unhook the positive batt. terminal and let it sit for 10 min. Then hook it back up. If the code has been cleared and there is no other fault. The check engine light will remain off.

John K · 08-30-2004, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nolan65
Unhook the positive batt. terminal and let it sit for 10 min. Then hook it back up. If the code has been cleared and there is no other fault. The check engine light will remain off.

If you do this make sure you have your Radio Code Handy as I'm sure you will lock the radio and have to set the Auto Window UP/DOWN feature again.

jay · 08-30-2004, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by John K

If you do this make sure you have your Radio Code Handy as I'm sure you will lock the radio and have to set the Auto Window UP/DOWN feature again.

And do the engine idle learn procedure again.

PilotOwner · 08-30-2004, 03:46 PM

Have you checked the gas cap? Make sure the gas cap is screwed in properly. Remove the gas cap and put it back on, tighten it until you hear 3-5 clicks.

memojo · 08-30-2004, 08:28 PM

I did the gas cap routine right out of the box (like I said, I've been through this before with other vehicles). Called the dealership today, too, and the service manager said it could take a week or more for the computer to reset, depending on the number of engine on/off cycles, lengths of trips, speed variations, etc. So I'm giving it a few more days, as long as nothing out of the ordinary shows up in terms of performance. But thanks for the how-to's of reseting the thing.

memojo · 08-31-2004, 07:38 PM

The light went off today, four days after it came on. I'm betting it was the overfilled gas tank. Thanks to all who offered advice.

08-28-2004, 10:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
memojo Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Portland, Maine, The Way Life Should Be Posts: 24 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Check Engine Light on at 8K? The Check Engine Light (not the Maintenance Required reminder) came on yesterday at just over 8,000 miles. I've been through this before with other cars, so I'm willing to give it three or four days to reset. The Pilot isn't behaving strangely -- no stalling, hesitation, etc. I removed the gas cap and put it back on with multiple clicks, too. But I was wondering: This happened about a day after I bought gas, and I remember the kid at the gas station topping off the tank to an extreme amount as he tried to reach a round number for the sale. Is it possible an over-fill would trigger the warning light? __________________ '04 Pilot EX Starlight Silver '02 Subaru Forester S

08-28-2004, 10:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
john802 Rip Tide Dude! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 3,054 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	IMO...a over-filled gas tank will not bring the check engine light, but a gas cap not installed properly would. __________________ 2003 Honda Pilot EX Starlight Silver* OEM Full Nose Mask \| Wheel Locks \| Cross Bars \| OEM Running Boards \| Chrome Accent - OEM Running Board \| Rear Splash Guard \| OEM '04 Horn \| Cloud-Rider Spectare Black Stainless Steel Grille Screen & Bumper Combo \| Thule Ski Rack #725 \| Thule Snowboard Carrier #575 \|OEM All Season Floor Mats \|OEM Cargo Tray \| Pilot Motorsports #PM555 Stainless Steel Exhaust Tips \| PowerStation Pro Portable Charger/Compressor/Emergency Light \| Tire Step Ladder \| Eurodezigns Blue Xenon H4 Bulbs & H3 Fog Light Bulbs \| Infinity Kappa Speakers \| Dynamat Original/Extreme \| Complete Set of 3M Protector \| 3M Metallic Tint \| Covercraft Noah Custom Cover \| Microtune #141X Antenna Amplifier \| Dashmat Dash Cover \| Full Size Spare Tire \| Broadway Napolex BW-86 Wide Inside Rear View Mirror \| Complete Sets of Dark Smoke WeatherTech WeatherFlectors \| Westin Black Rear Bumper Guard \| 3rd Brake Light Mod \| 6 Disc CD Changer \| ______________________________ The dawn of love would be the end of pleasure!

08-28-2004, 11:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
jay Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Manassas, VA Posts: 11,116 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've never heard of an over-fill causing the check engine light to come on, but it's not a good thing for the emissions control system. IIRC, there's a charcoal cannister that can get screwed up from regular over-filling. __________________ 2012 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited "When you get to the fork in the road, take it." --Yogi Berra

08-28-2004, 11:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
N_Jay Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, NW Burbs Posts: 13,550 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have heard that overfilling can cause teh light to come on. The expanation I heard is that liquid fuel can get into vent lines. This can prevent the normal movement of vapor and turn on the light. It makes sense to me, but since I don't top up, and in reality we rarely every know the exact cause of a random MIL, I can't say if it true of false. __________________ However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results. Sir Winston Churchill

08-30-2004, 11:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
PNW-Pilot Super Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 708 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I can't speak for the pilot personally, as I don't overfill it. But I've overfilled nearly 200 rental cars, it's a matter of habit, as I get gas in town to save money, and the extra gas get me to airport still on full. I've driven 10-30 miles regually on the tank after the fill and before drop off, I have yet to experience one check engine light. YMMV __________________ 06 'Rolla LE - Silver Streak Mica 06 Sienna XLE - Blue Mirage Metallic 04 Pilot SBP - Tow Package, Rear Muds, Fog Lights, Cargo Mat (Traded) Claire & Victoria - Double Trouble

08-30-2004, 12:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
nolan65 Never Say Die!!! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 110 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Unhook the positive batt. terminal and let it sit for 10 min. Then hook it back up. If the code has been cleared and there is no other fault. The check engine light will remain off.

08-30-2004, 03:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
PilotOwner Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 29 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Have you checked the gas cap? Make sure the gas cap is screwed in properly. Remove the gas cap and put it back on, tighten it until you hear 3-5 clicks.

08-30-2004, 08:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
memojo Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Portland, Maine, The Way Life Should Be Posts: 24 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I did the gas cap routine right out of the box (like I said, I've been through this before with other vehicles). Called the dealership today, too, and the service manager said it could take a week or more for the computer to reset, depending on the number of engine on/off cycles, lengths of trips, speed variations, etc. So I'm giving it a few more days, as long as nothing out of the ordinary shows up in terms of performance. But thanks for the how-to's of reseting the thing. __________________ '04 Pilot EX Starlight Silver '02 Subaru Forester S

08-31-2004, 07:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
memojo Junior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Portland, Maine, The Way Life Should Be Posts: 24 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The light went off today, four days after it came on. I'm betting it was the overfilled gas tank. Thanks to all who offered advice. __________________ '04 Pilot EX Starlight Silver '02 Subaru Forester S

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