The engine light came on because of a bad gas cap. I understand a car will not pass smog if the engine light remains lit. What's a quick AND inexpensive way to defeat the check engine light.

Many thanks, in advance, to the club and forum for a quick solution.

Kindly yours,

Eddie Low

 

Replace it. It costs less than your smog inspection fee (from what I see online).

*Forgot to add*

Your local dealer should have it readily available for sale in the parts department.

 

Agreed, I would just buy a new gas cap for dealer, because the light will annoy me. Technically, if your gas cap is not holding pressure, gas vapors leak into the atmosphere. Any trouble codes that will cause the engine light to come on will fail the CA smog test along with incomplete monitors. CA requires all emission monitors to be completed except the EVAP. So technically if you reset the light, drive the car to where all the monitors complete except the EVAP you should pass the OBD functional part of the smog test inspection.

 

whats even worse, if you gas cap is not airtight moisture from the air will get into your gas tank, condense, and mess up your fuel lines and injectors... once you replace the gas cap, make a couple 20 mile trips and light should go off

 

EVAP monitor should recheck itself between 1/4 and 3/4 tank FYI,. so make sure your fuel level is around half. Light will eventually go off.

 

What's a good gas cap? I bought one on Amazon and it had so many positive reviews but it was loose everytime I pump, but was tight when I filled it. Then I took out the seal and add it to my OEM cap but still the same thing...

 

Just go to the dealer. I got mine for 25$