'06 Equinox check engine light

Russ from MN · Mar 16, 2011

A friend of ours has a 2006 Chev. Equinox with about 100K miles. She took it in for a 100K checkup and they told her she needed a new gas cap and since then, every once in awhile, the check engine light comes on. It seems that the light goes out after she gasses up again.....so I don't know if it would also go out if she just took the cap off and put it back on again. We told her to try that. She has started to just ignore the light! Any ideas what could be causing this?

dej(Jed) · Mar 16, 2011

Probably best just to ignore it as it will drive you crazy trying to reset it. As these computer systems age they become problematic. I have had cars that merely erquire a cap tightening and others that have required that the computer be reset. Go figure.

Brad Gyde · Mar 16, 2011

No.. But my 05 Chevy truck does the same thing. Mine seems to come on at about 1/4 tank and stay till I get gas again. Taking my cap off and putting it back on don't seem to help my truck. There are a few other instances that will make the light come on, but it usually goes right back out, or is gone the next time you start the truck.

Most likely, the code would say something about vapor reclaimation leak (can't think exactly what the scanner calls it). There is a goofy "valve" type thing, dad and I have changed them on a few GM products, The one in his car was acting up and you couldn't get it to take gas (so he said) He claimed after we changed it he never had a issue.. But, I have noticed at a certain fuel place locally, if I use a certain pump I can't hardly get my truck to take gas.. Use the pump next to it and it never bothers.. Suppose that could be coincidence though.

Brad

John M · Mar 16, 2011

There is also, for lack of a better word, a sensor, where the cap goes on, assuming she has one with the DIC. Sister in law went through the exact same thing with hers! They repalced the tube to the tank, been fine since.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 16, 2011

Check engine light on solid is annoying but nothing to panic about. Mechanic told me it is when the light is flashing, that is when you want to be concerned because it means raw fuel is being dumped out the exhaust. Also read an article by a mechanic that says a lot of the sensors have been made too sensitive causing various warning lights to come on too quickly. ABS brakes is an example.

Bob · Mar 16, 2011

It sounds like it was OK before the new gas cap???

So, why not put the old one back on?

ASEguy · Mar 17, 2011

You most probably have an evap. leak detected. The system needs to be smoke tested at a repair shop which is most of the time the only way to find it.

mkirsch · Mar 17, 2011

If the light goes out after filling the gas tank, then it's definitely an issue with the gas cap.

Do they have the old cap? That would be the obvious first thing to try.

Is the new cap some cheap aftermarket Walmart thing? Get a new OEM cap from the dealer.

It's possible the aftermarket cap isn't sealing. My check engine light comes on about twice per oil change. I replaced the gas cap with one from Walmart, and the problem got worse. Went back to the old cap, and the light would stay off for 1000-1500 miles.

When installing the cap after fillup, remember, THREE CLICKS.

'06 Equinox check engine light

Russ from MN

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dej(Jed)

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Brad Gyde

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John M

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Anonymous-0

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Bob

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ASEguy

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mkirsch

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