[BubbleSparkxx]

According to my mechanic, the "check fuel cap" warning message will go away when the computer runs and passes its next test. This test will only occur when there is between 1/2 - 3/4 tank of gas, and the operating temperature is b/w 70-80 degrees, which is at least 10 degrees less than the external temperature.

Basically, the advice posted in this thread is accurate. It's an annoyance more than anything else, but its nothing to worry about unless you get the dreaded "check engine light". The "check fuel cap" message should go away by itself eventually. It did for me after 2 weeks.

 

[poconopilot40]

'Check Fuel Cap' flashed today

I have 2800 miles on my 2006. The 'check fuel cap' light flashed today and after resetting is still flashing upon starting the vehicle each time. This is the first time in nearly 100,000 miles and 2 Honda Pilots that I have ever had a problem with a Pilot. The cap has never been loose so this is a malfunction. I will not take it to a dealer as I refuse to let this people touch my truck. I'll keep an eye on things here and see if I can figure it out myself.

 

[ThePilotster]

Wife had this on her pilot.. to proud to ask me, she takes it to the dealer. They proceeded to tell her that she screwed the cap on at a wrong angle

 

[BubbleSparkxx]

I was pretty anxious too when I received the CHECK FUEL CAP message - it went on for almost 2 weeks and 2 fill ups. But the message did go away, just like my mechanic advised. As soon as the conditions are optimal (and baring any true issues) your message will clear as well. It has been several months and no such message has ever returned.

 

[texvegas]

This recently happed to me. I followed the directions in the owners manual to clear the message but it did not solve the problem. After about 2 weeks and 2 fillups the problem went away. Needless to say, I checked the gas cap several times, clicked it 4 clicks, and just waited for it to clear by itself. Not worth mentioning it to a dealer unless it never goes away.

 

[BigJimCalhoun]

We are getting that message now too.

 

[a2Pilot]

HA!

We got this error today for the first time. Good thread. Now we know we can ignore it for a few weeks.

The error WILL reset, but not by holding the reset button. Just push it for a few seconds and release. The display returns to normal.

 

[netman88]

Good Thread.

I guess I'll go try it now.

Mine gas cap light has been one for 5 days now.

 

[krhowl]

My wife has 2005 Pilot. The "Check fuel cap" warning light recently came on and so I tightened the cap 3 clicks and waited 3 days. The Warning Light stayed on. However, I did note that there was no MIL warning light in the DASH. I decided to buy a new gas cap because I figured the $21 was a pretty cheap fix for a "first step" to resolve this problem. Installed the new cap and waited 5 days. The "Check fuel cap" warning light was still coming up each time we tried to start the pilot. My wife pointed out that we could cycle through the odometer / outside temperature button and see the "Check fuel cap" warning anytime after the Pilot was started. It was not actually being reset each time we hit the odometer button - it was just being cycled "out of sight out of mind".

I too read the Pilot manual and noticed it stated that the MIL light goes out after 3 days. Our MIL light never came on in this instance! The manual does not say the "Check Fuel Cap" warning goes out after 3 days of normal driving, only the MIL light (maybe we are to assume this). I decided the two warnings should be "connected" so I LOOSENED by gas cap until it was just on the fuel neck, drove 1/10 of a mile and forced the MIL light to come ON because the gas cap was obviously loose (I figured this was no worse than forgetting to put it back on at the gas station). I went back to the fuel cap and then tightened it 3 clicks. The "Check fuel cap" warning light RESET and went out within a half mile of driving (cycled the odometer button and the "Check Fuel Cap" warning light was gone). Then I waited for 3 days of normal driving and the MIL light reset. We have had no problems now after 2 weeks of normal driving.

 

[akhenax]

I just did what krhowl said above and it worked.

1. Loosen the cap so that it rests on the fuel neck, and close the fuel door.
2. Drive around until the MIL appears (a squarish yellow/orange symbol) on the dash.
3. Stop the vehicle and turn it off. Tighten the fuel cap (4 turns).
4. Start the vehicle, and drive. Check Fuel Cap message will disappear (eventually).
5. MIL will stay on for about 3 days and go away after.

 

[plplplpl]

Check Fuel Cap

So I get this today. At first, I'm, "What now? What the :cursin:"

I check the gas cap, of course, and it's on nice and tight. Anyway, I'm usually pretty gas cap retentive. :nerd:

Start the Pilot up again, and the message is still there, so I cut the engine, remove the gas cap completely, then replace it, giving it my characteristically retentive 4 to 6 clicks. Start engine, message still there. For good measure, I repeat the procedure. Still "Check Fuel Cap."

Driving home, I see that I can clear the message by pushing the odometer reset button, but in fact I quickly realize I'm scrolling through the displays and it comes back to the message. :frown:

Once home, I check my good friend Piloteers.org and see it is (or used to be, at least) a pretty common snafu: annoying, somewhat random, and mostly unwarranted :bangh:, but ultimately usually harmless.

I make a note of the procedure(s) some in this and other threads on the topic have used to clear the message, and when I start up the Pilot again a few hours later, the message is just gone already. :smile:

Yes, but for how long? For those of you who have had it, is this something that keeps coming back, like a stray kitten you've fed a saucer of milk to, or herpes?

 

[bbbbbbb]

I did and there is what I learned..
1. Dont do 3 clicks do more than that...
2. The check engine lite clears after some time (its in the manual after how long)

mine is now obviously reset. no more light on dash. I simply disconnected negative battery cable for at least 25 minutes--------LIght hasnt came back on. My vehicle is a 2003 taurus single OHV v6 ------- ford taurus. The make and model, however, probably has nothing to do with it----------the technique is what obviously works!!!!