My Check Engine Light just keeps at it... the codes show it is the fuel cap and have changed it 3 times, but the problem wont go away. Everytime it happens I just release the cap slightly and allow some gas to escape after which it takes a day or two for the light to go away.

Now I got an emission test to go for and lately Illinois has a new rule that if the CheckEngine light is ON they will reject you outright. What the hell should one do.PLEASE HELP!

 

Is your car stock or do you have anything done to it? some mods cause that to happen if installed wrong, For instance O/R H pipe, which would cause you to fail anyways.

 

What code is being thrown? I would guess either Evap leak or tank pressure issue. whats the code number? no code specificly points to the gas cap, it;s just one of the possible causes.. If you can tell the code and list your mods maybe we can help ya

 

Pull into a parking lot down the street. Shut the light off with a code reader. If you don't have one, pull the negative terminal on the battery for about 5 minutes. Then haul *** over to the **** Testing station.

If the light isn't on, you'll pass.

Just FYI...I just went to the one in Downers Grove. It's all a bunch of 16 year olds testing the cars. They don't know their *** from a hot rock.

 

I am assuming when you unscrew the cap you can hear it hiss as it sucks in air. I had the same problem with my Honda. The vent tube is plugged leading from the tank to the filler neck. It got plugged with real fine sand. Sometimes it wouldn't do it and other times it would do it every day. I have an hour drive to work and it would do it on the way there and on the way home.

I ran some thin gauge wire down the vent hole poking the sand into the tank. I know, I know should have done that but I changed the fuel filter shortly after.

 

Well, since there isnt a code that tells you the gas cap is bad on a ford, later models have a light that says check fuel cap. Im guessing you have a code for us. It would make our answers better if we knew the code. And like someone else said, dont worry much about it, because if youre car is stock and you dont have anything else to hinder the SI, then just disconnect youre battery for a few minutes down the street then pull in because is take about 3 drive cycles for the evap MIL to come back on.

 

I have another question.. you say you have already replaced the gas cap a few times. Was it an OE or afterarket cap? Sometimes an aftermarket cap will not seal as well as an OE. I have personaly never had an isue with it but it;s always a sugested course of action

 

Thanks a lot guys.

THE CODE IS 1443

The story is such - the cap was stock and now aftermarket, but the issue is the same.

secondly, the car is stock and nothing has been done to it.

96SilverLT1 - i have been told that it could be a pressure issue. any way to sort this out? One guy told me to get the tank changed!

Sidewayz4.6 - Thats a big help. Will keep that in mind.

 

I don;t have many Ford resources at my disposal.. so either go buy a gm or bear with me while I try and help ya out along with the others. I can not find a refference to a P1443. I will keep searching for some info but I would assume it;s either an EVAP pressure or vent code. Unless there is a hole in your tank I don;t see why they would sugest it getting changed. If anone has a diagram on the EVAP system on your cars I can once over it and see but usualy there is a pressure sensor in the tank as well as a vent line and such. the problem could be sealing of the tank/sending unit, the sensors, leaks etc etc. once I find some code info and maybe a scematic I might be able to do more. ok.. heres what I found P1443 Small Or No Purge Flow Condition (Ford) If someone could find me a link to a electrical and component scematic for the EVAP system I might be able to devise a few tests to sugest a course of action. My guess is when purge is being called for there is little or no change.

 

Any idea what year his pony is 96silver LT1?? I can get into the FORD tech website. I can get anything possible for fords. all i need is his year.