Comments on: Check Engine Light On? Check Your Gas Cap

By: Dennis

Dennis — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:45:01 +0000

I am having the same issues as stated in this copy and paste from Jose, “Ok so maybe you guys might be able to help me, a light resembling the gas cap came on on my 2005 New Jetta and informed me to check my gas cap, so i did and it was on correctly, my cap is not a clicking type it just turns into position. The light went off but on the next day the MIL came on, i went to the gas station that day and had some problem turning the car on, after filling up it only turned on if i pressed the gas a little bit, the light remained on for 2 days and the problem at the gas station as well. Problem turning on only happened when putting gas, i had the car checked by my mechanic and he said it was about the gas cap so i think he turned the light off, 2 days pass and the light comes back on and the problem turning on after putting gas returns as well, after a drive the car makes a weird kind of banging sound on the bottom front and rear passenger side…”

By: janie

janie — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:43:31 +0000

Hi, I own a 2006 VW beetle. It runs perfect and I’ve had problems with the same light(check engine) to stay on after the service place recoded it. I tighted the cap and started it twice and no luck. Any ideas? Suggestions?

By: Tim b

Tim b — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 04:06:08 +0000

I am an owner of a 2009 vw jetta with a 2.5 and as of yesterday my check engine light has come on. I just recently stumbled upon this blog. I checked the gas cap in hopes that this would resolve the CEL warning but, no luck… Are there other factors that may cause this issue?

By: geo man

geo man — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 01:40:59 +0000

hey steev, you might be referring to the merkur(truly a piece of deutsch-crap). my vw jetta sportwagen is a diesel and i’m pretty sure the check engine light has to do with the exhaust system for us oil burners. the vehicle is still driveable and it’d be a shame to crush possibly the smartest car money can buy. i’m certain every other car known to humanity also needs fixing at some point, even yours. when you dig your wheels as much as i do, the fixin’ is worth every penny.

By: Kristin

Kristin — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 19:16:10 +0000

YES! Burning oil is NORMAL for VW’s. I’ve had two and had asked the dealership about it… and they said – COMPLETELY NORMAL. I have & Had no leaks, etc. It’s just a VW quirk. I’m not sure why Matt never checked, added oil in between services… BUT everyone I know who owns a VW says the same thing & they always keep oil in the trunk.

By: renesseme

renesseme — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:26:44 +0000

i do personaly have a question though. i just bought a 2008 jetta and im curious to see if anyone is having problems with thier gas cap seals ??? my gas cap lights keeps turning on (about 3 times in a month) and im tightening the cap till i hear 5 or 6 clicks… the dealership keep replacing minor parts and this is stil happening…

By: renesseme

renesseme — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:23:40 +0000

yes actualy it is common in all cars…. i owned a ford and a lexus (toyota) and honda and all of these brands can have this happen. when the oxygen mixes with the fuel and goes through the engine it triggers the light to come on.
in my lexus it triggered a brake light and a engine light at the same time and with the others just the check engine light… so relax and tighten that gas cap lol

By: jesse

jesse — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 15:48:39 +0000

I have a question,my check engine light came on a few days ago..I brought it to the dealer,he said my gas cap was loose wich it may have been considering I put gas in it the day before and wasn’t aware of “loose caps,engine light says wuddup!!” …ordeal. but I own a 01 jetta VR6 and will my engine light blink if it was something major? Just not aware if it does that with my particular car/cars in general (and I don’t want to find out) but just curious what should I do or look out for in that situation. Thanks.

By: Lindsey

Lindsey — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:12:16 +0000

Help!
For about a year now I’ve been taking my 2004 VW Jetta into the dealer for the same problem that keeps on occurring. The gas cap light will come on and then usually the next day trigger the engine light. The dealership wasn’t really sure what the problem was (I suspect they still don’t) but suggested I replace the gas cap. When that didn’t work (the light was in fact triggered more often) they then suggested I replace the EVAPCANIS and the LDPUMP. The light still comes on! I have been in at least once a month since the beginning of the year for the same problem. The dealership keeps on checking the new parts and say that the parts and system check out ok. Any idea what the problem is? The light always comes on after the fuel level hits the 1/2 tank mark.

By: Jose

Jose — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 07:24:27 +0000

ok so maybe you guys might be able to help me, a light resembling the gas cap came on on my 2005 New Jetta and informed me to check my gas cap, so i did and it was on correctly, my cap is not a clicking type it just turns into position. The light went off but on the next day the MIL came on, i went to the gas station that day and had some problem turning the car on, after filling up it only turned on if i pressed the gas a little bit, the light remained on for 2 days and the problem at the gas station as well. Problem turning on only happened when putting gas, i had the car checked by my mechanic and he said it was about the gas cap so i think he turned the light off, 2 days pass and the light comes back on and the problem turning on after putting gas returns as well, after a drive the car makes a weird kind of banging sound on the bottom front and rear passenger side…

By: Jules

Jules — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:16:49 +0000

I am reading all of these posts and seem to have the same issue as everyone else. 2001 VW Golf with the CEL light on. Gas cap has been the issue in the past, but doesn’t seem to make a difference if I tighten more.

My bigger problem; I live in California and have to pass a smog certification test. The places I have called all say it will not pass with a CEL light on.

Has anyone purchase a VW manufactured gas cap and had that be a resolution to the light? I’m afraid these mechanics are going to take one look at a single female rolling in and say “woo hoo!”

p.s. For those with the issue of having to add oil between normal oil changes; I was told that is a common problem with Jettas and Golfs with our engine types. Just always carry a spare quart of oil with you.

By: Elvedin

Elvedin — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:29:05 +0000

I have a 02′ Golf with 45000 miles and my CEL keeps coming on and off. I have gone to AutoZone to get the code scanned and it said “CA Converter below threshold” and when I took it to a mechanic they said the O2 sensor was bad. Paid to get that fixed and it still keeps coming back on. And now it seems to come on at different intervals of the fuel gage. Sometimes it’s when I fill up and sometimes when it gets to being 1/2 of tank full. Gas cap gets tightened at least 5 times, so I don’t know if I totally need to replace the CA converter or if it’s the fuel pump regulator. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks!

By: Bart Jestel

Bart Jestel — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 06:51:07 +0000

I am having the same problem as reported by the below posting…..I too have a 1999 passat wagon. It has been a while since the posting and was wondering if the problem ever got resolved? If so what was the part name and cost for the repair….Thanks!!

I have a 1999 Passat which has given me the gas cap CEL. I have tightened it numerous times and it has not gone out. I also found that when I refill my gas tank, it does not want to hold an idle and I have to manually give it gas to start and hold the accellerator in just slightly to keep it from dieing for the first four or five blocks. Then it begins operating normally again.
Do you know anything about a sensor which would control fuel injection as well as monitor fuel tank pressure?

By: Sharon

Sharon — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:34:55 +0000

We have a 1999 Jetta (V-6) and the check engine light has been on for a few years now. I’m just now making the connection that it might be the gas cap – we lost the one that came w/ the car many years ago and replaced it w/ one we bought at a car parts store. We’ve had 2 diagnostics done – most recently they told us the car would need a new converter and a new air injection pump for $2000 (this was at our local shop – not the VW dealer). I’m going to go buy a VW gas cap tomorrow and see if it will do the trick. If not, I think we’re going to have to take it to the dealer and find out what can be done (and if there is any chance it is covered…I’m sure it won’t be). When I mentioned to the VW dealer parts guy that our check engine light was on he said that can happen if you don’t have a VW gas cap. I’ll let you know what happens but just wanted to see if you had any other thoughts…
I should add that the car runs fine but we’re ready to give it up…

By: Matt Radel

Matt Radel — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 02:02:30 +0000

@neha: Based upon what we know here, I’d say that at the very least the pressure in the tank would be thrown off – which of course would trigger a check engine light. I’d say it’d be better not to try to find out. :)

By: neha

neha — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:05:06 +0000

What happens if you drive without a fuel cap?

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:56:31 +0000

By: Matt Radel

Matt Radel — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:49:27 +0000

@ Brenda: Since the codes are fine, I’d guess that you either got some bad gas or have something loose somewhere (I’ve heard of loose seals & valves causing the light to come on). I’d run a tank or 2 of gas through it, and if it persists I’d take it to a mechanic. I’m no mechanic myself, so feel free to take my advice with a grain of salt. Best of luck – hopefully it works out for ya!

By: Brenda

Brenda — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:27:13 +0000

I have a 2003 Jetta TDI. My check engine light (MIL) has come on and will not go off. It does not blink. No code is given when diagnostics are run. I have noted a decrease in fuel efficiency however… Gas cap is nice and tight. What the heck is going on???

By: Deborah

Deborah — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:34:21 +0000

My check engine light is on and I think I have done two things wrong: not changed the oil soon enough and topped of the gas the last time I filled. I had an oil change today. I had only driven 3000 miles between this and the last oil change, but it took me 5 months to drive those 3000 miles, so I guess I left the oil in too long without realizing that was bad for the car to do that. Is there anything else it could be? The light isn’t blinking, but it is definitely on. I had tried tightening the gas cap, and that doesn’t seem to fix it. Thanks for your advice. This is a great blog, btw.