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"Check Gas Cap" warning

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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 11:16 AM
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Default "Check Gas Cap" warning

Would anyone know what the reason are for my 2001 SSEi with 62k miles to get a "Check Gas Cap" warning on the Driver Information Center?

Thanks.
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 11:22 AM
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because the Gas cap needs to make a seal when tightened. Sometimes the Gas cap will throw a SES, you just lucky enough to have the DIC.....some times reeeeealy tightening it down solves the problem and sometimes a replacement cap will take care of it too
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by 1993 SLE
because the Gas cap needs to make a seal when tightened. Sometimes the Gas cap will throw a SES, you just lucky enough to have the DIC.....some times reeeeealy tightening it down solves the problem and sometimes a replacement cap will take care of it too
So it seems to be some kind of gas tank pressurization fault?
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 12:26 PM
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yes, and there would be a CEL light thrown with a specific code if you didnt have the DIC
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 04:04 PM
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Another problem that you could be having is that the Purge Vent Solenoid is not Functioning Correctly. On our 2k SSEi the Check Gas Cap warning kicked on everytime you started the car. Thats what we had to replace!

EDIT: I deleted what i had originally posted - what i had origanally posted pertained to what the Purge Vent Solenoid did, what i had posted was not correct.
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 07:19 PM
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Actually, when the purge valve opens (commanded open by PCM) it pulls a small vacum on the fuel tank & evap system. The whole purpose is to purge the charcoal canister and check the integrity of the evap system for any leaks.
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 07:46 PM
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Edit: deleted this post - markwb sorry if i said that the wrong way.
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 08:41 PM
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Super, I wasn't trying to correct you, I was just giving a brief description of that portion of the evap system.
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Old Oct 3, 2005 | 10:35 PM
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I had the same problem with my 01 SSEi. Can't tell you how many times I had the gas cap checked when I did the E-check thing. I even applied a film of silicon to the gas cap o'ring. This seemed to lessen the number of Check Gas Cap messages I got over time.

Finally, I compared the cap with an identical one on my '99 GrandAm GT. What I found is that the Bonne'* gas cap had much lower ratcheting resistance than the GT, meaning the internal clutch spring on the cap was worn. Also, the comparison showed that the cap o'ring was smashed down pretty good. I replaced the cap with an OEM about 3 months ago.

I'm happy to report that the Check Gas Cap message is finally resolved.

Oh, one other thing. I also found out that the Bonne'* gas filler tube lip was slightly corroded, compared to the GT'*, which was almost teflon smooth. I used emory paper to smooth her down and that allows the cap to ratchet down even tighter than just a new cap would provide.

You might try a new cap. About $23 around here.
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