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od6238

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Today (Monday 6-5-2006) my wife was driving our '04 EX Ody when the malfunction/engine indicator light (engine silhouette, in tachometer, lower left side) came on and stayed on. The Ody was in for 37,500 mi service last Friday (6-2-2006), and I bought gas the following Sunday, yesteday. The owner's manual warns of possible dire damage to the emission systems, possibly not covered by warranty, if the Ody continues to be driven. The owner's manual suggests tightening the fuel filler cap three clicks, and then waiting three days for the indicator light to go out - meanwhile is the vehicle being damaged? A call to a dealer (not the one I use - it was closed for the day) resulted in being told that it is a common problem, not to worry, drive gently, and the light should go out on its own, if not, bring in it for a check.

Anyone have this problem? What was the result?

The best,

Tony
 
#2 · (Edited)
There are probably hundreds of reasons why a check engine light will come on. Loose gas cap is an easy one to check which is why it is in the manual.

Typcailly, if it is a serious problem, the car will operate in a safe mode to avoid damage to the catalyst. So for example if the O2 sensor signal doesn't make sense, then the light will illuminate and the car will run on a default fuel mixture that is independant of O2 sensor signal.

If it is a really serious problem, the check engine light will flash continuosly and the car will run in 'limp' mode. That is the time when you should be concerned. You might be able to reset the limp mode by turning the car off and restarting - but don't go too much further without sorting the problem out properly.

Since it was never flashing, chances are you are doing no damage to your car while driving with the light on. If the problem clears itself, then the light will go off after a number of drive cycles - which is why the dealer said what they said.

Rather than guessing or waiting, you can have the codes read yourself. It is very easy to do. You can buy your own OBD II meter or, if you live in the US, your local Autozone will also read them for free with their meters. Whatever problem you find, I would try resetting it once and seeing if it comes back before trying to fix it.
 
#3 ·
I agree with what rtw_travel said. It's probably nothing too serious that would damage anything (for a short period). Most of the times that light does go on for emissions reasons and like rtw_travel said the engine goes into default fuel/air mix mode and you might see a decline in mpg. If left for months/years unfixed it could eventually damage the catalytic converter which cost ~$1000 OEM or ~$300 aftermarket to replace.:(

Try disconnecting the battery cable (negative is easiest to disconnect) for about a min. then reconnect. If it is a really serious problem then the light will come back on within a few mins of driving. ;)
 
#4 ·
Just had this same issue with my '99 Ody.

Changed the gas cap with a NAPA cap: problem resolved for about 3 weeks, then returned.

Had the error code cleared by an independent Honda repair shop who advised me to install a factory gas cap.

When I went to the Honda dealer Parts counter and asked for a gas cap the counter man's 1st question was if my Check engine light had come on.

Apparently a known issue based on his comments...
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Evidently the loose gas cap issue is fairly common if I choose to believe what the service people at five dealerships told me - drive the car for several days, and the computer will reset the indicator light. Some of the advice I was given included tightening the gas cap seven clicks (not three as per the owner's manual), taking the gas cap off and putting it back on several times a day. Anyway after four days I went to my favorite dealer - they checked and found the error code was p1456 - the loose gas cap. They also checked that the gas cap was sound (new is $35), and that there were no other fuel system problems. They charged me half the going rate of $80 per check. I feel somewhat better - I always click the gas cap three times now, and with five fuelings, the light has stayed off. Funny, thought, I fueled the Ody way over a hundred times without incident - and I don't recall being distracted at the problem fueling. If anything I tend to tighten the gas cap over three clicks.

This issue must be a money maker for the dealers - I was quoted up to $110 to check the computer code. Here again, the customer doesn't get fair value from modern technology - why not show the driver the error code on the dash, and why does a seemingly simple and cheap task (for the dealer) cost us so much?

The best,

Tony
 
#6 ·
This clicking gas cap thing is an EPA requirement, not something Honda thought up so their dealers could make money. You can get codes checked at Autozone for free. The new model Odys (05+) do have a separate warning light for a loose gas cap.
 
#7 ·
I had the "Tighten Gas Cap" indicator come on about two weeks ago on my 2006 Odyssey a few days after I had filled up. I'm pretty diligent about turning the cap at least 3 clicks and so I was surprised when it came on.

Last week, I went to the dealer who removed and replaced the gas cap adding that I drive around for at least 5 more days and see if the indicator would reset. Well, it didn't and so the dealer today had to reset the computer, which they did for free...this time...

The next time they said that a reset would cost $70. You'd figure that if the gas cap was replaced properly, the code would reset on it's own but that's not necessarily the case....:(
 
#8 ·
bigodyfan said:
I had the "Tighten Gas Cap" indicator come on about two weeks ago on my 2006 Odyssey a few days after I had filled up. I'm pretty diligent about turning the cap at least 3 clicks and so I was surprised when it came on...

The next time they said that a reset would cost $70. You'd figure that if the gas cap was replaced properly, the code would reset on it's own but that's not necessarily the case....:(
Click to expand...
You have an '06... Isn't it under warranty? Request they replace your gas cap now with a new one (and then ask to keep the old one!).;)
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Since my original post on the loose gas cap subject (which is a real minor pain), I have thought of a possible solution that might end further occurrences.

Design a gas cap with a flag indicator that shows green when the cap is sufficienily tight and which shows red when it is not. Leave the clicking sound as well for extra insurance.

While Honda is at it, they should add a lanyard to the gas cap to end leaving the cap behind.

This new cap should be installed on all new vehicles and refittable to older cars.

The best,

Tony
 
#11 ·
I have a 2002 and i checked my book and can't find how to reset this light. Do you have to disconnect the negative wire to battery? My light came on about two weeks ago and I filled up this past weekend - still on.
 
#12 ·
Habs11 said:
I have a 2002 and i checked my book and can't find how to reset this light. Do you have to disconnect the negative wire to battery?
Click to expand...
Yes if you disconnect either positive or negative side of the battery and leave it disconnected for about 30 secs. it will clear the computer and all codes stored in it.

tip: Instead of disconnecting the battery you can pull the "Main Aux" fuse located under the hood (on the passenger side) ;)
 
#13 ·
Make sure you have the radio code handy before doing this. And as the instructions to the dealer mechanics say, write down the radio presets. Then put them back in, especially if it's your wife's car. Less for her to bitc.....bring up.
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Egads:

My solution would involve a mechanical flag, without any electrical power being involved, that as the fuel system is pressurized, the correct pressure on the cap would move the flag into the green, and conversely insufficient pressure would show a red flag - full or partial. This way the state of the pressure on the fuel/gas cap is evident by visible inspection only, without having to question if the cap was turned so many clicks.

Lets hope that someone at Honda and the other auto firms are reading these posts.

Some years ago I mailed some thoughts to Honda's president, and didn't even receive the courtesy of a reply, despite me being a twenty something year Honda only car owner.

The best,

Tony
 
#15 ·
funfinder4 said:
Yes if you disconnect either positive or negative side of the battery and leave it disconnected for about 30 secs. it will clear the computer and all codes stored in it.

tip: Instead of disconnecting the battery you can pull the "Main Aux" fuse located under the hood (on the passenger side) ;)
Click to expand...
I want to reset the malfunction indicator light for my 2904 Ody after I tightened the gas cap. How do I locate the "Main Aux" fuse in the fuse box under the hood? I checked the owners manual and none of the fuses are labeled as Main Aux. Does this fuse go by any other name?
 
#16 ·
Pull Fuse #13 in the Passenger's Under-Dash Fuse/Relay Box to reset the PCM.
 
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