First CEL today! Advice?

[whitemp5seattle]

Got my first CEL today on the way to work! I started it up again at lunch and it's still there.

I'm at 29k miles, and the car is running perfectly fine. Haven't done any engine work or anything like that since putting in a K&N air filter for my CAI a few months ago.

Any suggestions on what it could be or what I should do? I don't have a code reader...maybe I should get one? Could it be some sort of "you're almost at 30k miles go get your car checked out and stuff" message? (scratch)

Thanks! (2thumbs)

 

[ChopstickHero]

go to autozone and borrow an obd-II reader, it's free to borrow. read the code and then diagnose it from there.

 

[whitemp5seattle]

just did a search and found that out...I guess I'll go check to Autozone later today after work! thanks!

 

[Matthew1785]

no no no... take ur car run it off a cliff then call ur ins and tell them u need a new one...

Bam problem solved no more CEL

 

[whitemp5seattle]

I don't know where any cliffs are around here... (dunno) I think I'll try autozone first

 

[Riken]

Did you check with autozone?

 

[aMaff]

Hey, did you get the code read yet? How about now? How about now?



(cricket)


Hey! Did you get it read yet?


Let us know. Is the car running any differently? Depending on how bad the problem is, the ECU may go into a 'survival' mode that is sluggish as hell, but generally will prevent anything from breaking further

 

[whitemp5seattle]

Just got back from Advance Autoparts...they didn't tell me the code number, but the code reader said "Evaporative Emissions Control - Large Leak"

They said to check my gas cap, which I did and it was secured tightly.

Here's what I'm thinking: I reset the CEL tomorrow, fill up on gas, and drive for a while. Maybe if for some reason my gas cap wasn't all the way on, then the CEL shouldn't return. If it does return then I know it's something bigger that I'll need to get checked out at a shop prolly...?

Any other things I should check? Checked the cold air intake connections and all is good...

 

[Kansei]

hmm would that code happen if one of the vacuum lines to the charcoal canister got disconnected?

 

[KronixKid22]

Charcoal? I thought our cars ran on gas???

 

[Witchdoktor]

Just got back from Advance Autoparts...they didn't tell me the code number, but the code reader said "Evaporative Emissions Control - Large Leak"

get the code number. you'll probably get better info here with the cel number than from an employee at advance.

 

[Matthew1785]

Just got back from Advance Autoparts...they didn't tell me the code number, but the code reader said "Evaporative Emissions Control - Large Leak"

They said to check my gas cap, which I did and it was secured tightly.

Here's what I'm thinking: I reset the CEL tomorrow, fill up on gas, and drive for a while. Maybe if for some reason my gas cap wasn't all the way on, then the CEL shouldn't return. If it does return then I know it's something bigger that I'll need to get checked out at a shop prolly...?

Any other things I should check? Checked the cold air intake connections and all is good...

autozone man, autozone

 

[bazooka joe]

get the code number. you'll probably get better info here with the cel number than from an employee at advance.

agreed!

 

[kudakev615]

the code for a gross evap leak is like a p400. i read that code all the time from old ladies that cant tighten the cap all the way.

 

[Protegebuddy]

Charcoal canister is #4 in the pic.

 

[Kansei]

Oh I was thinking the canister at the front of the car, under the hood.. isn't that one hooked up to the fuel rail eventually?

 

[Protegebuddy]

Right Here, Think the problem in in the Rear by the tank though.

 

[whitemp5seattle]

I'll take it to autozone tomorrow and get the code...the guy at Advance Autoparts didn't exactly seem like he knew what he was doing...

Thanks for all the help you guys!

 

[Kansei]

Yeah since autozone is just.. right next to the Police Dept in t-town, hard to miss.

that town has all sorts of auto parts stores.

 

[whitemp5seattle]

Ok got the code number.

P0455 - Evap Emissions Leak (Large)

I don't think it's the gas cap - that's a different code number supposedly. But I had the guy erase the code, filled up on gas, and made sure the gas cap was tight anyway...hopefully it doesn't come back?

any other ideas on what it could be?