Check engine light on, what to do? EDIT: Now with engine code P1456. Edit: FIXED!!!

[Svnla]

Hi all,

Co worker has a 2001 Honda CRV with 120K miles and the yellow check engine light just on (solid yellow, not just blinking or on and off) this morning. The engine is still running fine, no rough running or sputtering or anything wrong. It never happend before.

I checked the gas cap to be sure it was tight, looked up on Google and not sure what to do next.

Any suggestions/advise? TIA.

Edit with update: We went to the local AutoZone and asked them to read it. The guy did it in a few minutes and he said it was P1456.

From the printout, it stated: emission control system, fuel system - probable causes - loose fuel cap, vapor canister saturated, fail vent, failed purge. I did look up on Google and so many suggestions, not sure which one is the right one for us.

Ok, shadetree mechanics, any suggestions or idea? We did tighten the gas cap very well again and just filled up the gas to 80%.

Update 2: Went to WalMart and got a Stant gas cap ($5 plus tax), replaced the old Honda gas cap with crack around the seal. The CEL was still on, went online and looked around. One of the poster from Honda Tech said let pull the fuse (back up radio) from the fusebox nears the battery for about 30 seconds. Did that, started the car, the CEL was gone. Happy.

Thanks everyone.

 

[gw186]

When the light comes on a code pops up and is stored in the computer.

Take it to a mechanic and have the code checked and whatever fixed. Or you can try auto stores, around here Autozone checks codes for free. Then you Google the code and see if it is something simple.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Have her take it to autozone/advance to read the codes (it's free) and post them up here.

Thank you so much for including year/make/model/mileage :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Vetterin]

And while she's waiting to take it to Autozone tell her not to worry about driving it because it's only an emission related problem and will not affect driving performance.

 

[Svnla]

Bump with new update in the op.

 

[HarryLui]

Your real options are:

1. Take it in and pay somebody to diagnosis it.

2. Ignore it and let it become and bigger problem down the road.

 

[1prophet]

This is from a Honda car forum, but it may apply in your case if you want understand how to diagnose P1456

http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2639636&page=2

 

[LTC8K6]

Replace the gas cap first.

 

[Svnla]

Bump with update.

 

[Ferzerp]

Bump with update.

Forcing a code reset doesn't mean you've actually fixed the problem. Anyone can make a check engine light turn off. The question is whether or not it will come back, so don't call it fixed yet.

BTW, if you'd fixed it, it would have gone off on its own after a while (something like 50 miles or so?)

So yeah, it may or may not be fixed.

 

[Svnla]

Forcing a code reset doesn't mean you've actually fixed the problem. Anyone can make a check engine light turn off. The question is whether or not it will come back, so don't call it fixed yet.

BTW, if you'd fixed it, it would have gone off on its own after a while (something like 50 miles or so?)

So yeah, it may or may not be fixed.

I think it is fixed (crossing fingers) because:

1. The code said fuel evaporate error.
2. Old gas cap with at least two visible cracks at the seal
3. The vehicle always ran well before (no rough running/sputtering/hesistation/ect) and it is still running fine now.
4. I just checked and it is still running fine after over 20 miles.

Crossing fingers and I will update the thread if the CEL with the same P1456 code is on again.

 

[mvbighead]

Your real options are:

1. Take it in and pay somebody to diagnosis it.

2. Ignore it and let it become and bigger problem down the road.

LOL.

What about 3?

3. Scan the code, google the code, and come with probable solutions?

Seriously, when you get a code on your vehicle, it's a blessing. A code generally gives you a pretty good idea on where to start. In the OP's case, the gas cap is a likely culprit. Buy a new one for less than $10 and see where that gets you, rather than give your mechanic $100 to say, the gas cap is bad, I installed a new one.

 

[LTC8K6]

The system can detect an insanely small leak in the evap system.

 

[sontakke]

And if the code comes back, get the OEM cap from the dealer before doing any other diagnosis.