Need A Honda Emissions Auto Expert

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Okay, I'm at the end of my rope.

Here's the situation.

I got the gas cap light come on in my Honda CRV, 2004. That's the
emissions thing.

They replaced the valve after doing the diagnostics. I took it, got gas,
and the light came on again.

They checked the valve, said it was bad. So they got a new one and
replaced the bad one.

I took it, JUST NOW, got gas...same thing...light came back on.

I have to get the car inspected in October. If that light is not off, I will
fail.

What the hell is wrong with this car that they can't seem to fix this
problem?

They checked the gas cap and everything else and can't find anything
wrong. They have the car now, again, and are going to run some more
tests.

In the meantime, I have 2 months until I have to go for inspection.

I'm at the point where I am willing to just pay somebody off to put a
sticker on this thing if they can't fix it but don't know anybody shady
enough to do it.

Anyway, if anybody here knows anything about these stupid computerized
idiot lights and can give me some ideas, I'd appreciate it.
  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    Sounds like a bad sensor to me, which means the light coming on is what's "broken".

    It's usually pretty easy to fix and one of the first things that should be checked.

    How well do you trust your mechanic?

    How's it running? Any dip in mileage? Does it "sputter"?
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    • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      Sounds like a bad sensor to me, which means the light coming on is what's "broken".

      It's usually pretty easy to fix and one of the first things that should be checked.

      How well do you trust your mechanic?

      How's it running? Any dip in mileage? Does it "sputter"?
      The car runs fine. The mechanic is a Honda and Acura expert. He knows
      his stuff very well.

      If the sensor was the problem, why does it only come on when I put gas
      in the car? Wouldn't it malfunction all the time?

      I'm at a total loss. My mechanic says he WILL find the problem.

      I'm not holding my breath though.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kurt
        Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

        The car runs fine. The mechanic is a Honda and Acura expert. He knows
        his stuff very well.

        If the sensor was the problem, why does it only come on when I put gas
        in the car? Wouldn't it malfunction all the time?

        I'm at a total loss. My mechanic says he WILL find the problem.

        I'm not holding my breath though.
        Sounds like a sensor to me...You open the gas cap and lose pressure, but once the tank is filled and the cap replaced, the sensor doesn't report the pressure going back up, light comes on, even though there's nothing else wrong with the car.

        If you were losing pressure to the fuel system with a faulty gas cap, it think Hondas would sputter. You say it runs fine. That's also a clue.

        What makes the light go off? Do that, then don't put any gas in it when you go in for inspection.

        I could be wrong, but a sensor is likely the cheapest, easiest thing to fix, so it's where I'd start looking when trouble shooting.

        Has he checked the sensors?
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        • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
          Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

          Sounds like a sensor to me...You open the gas cap and lose pressure, but once the tank is filled and the cap replaced, the sensor doesn't report the pressure going back up, light comes on, even though there's nothing else wrong with the car.

          If you were losing pressure to the fuel system with a faulty gas cap, it think Hondas would sputter. You say it runs fine. That's also a clue.

          What makes the light go off? Do that, then don't put any gas in it when you go in for inspection.

          I could be wrong, but a sensor is likely the cheapest, easiest thing to fix, so it's where I'd start looking when trouble shooting.

          Has he checked the sensors?

          Kurt, I don't know if he checked the sensors but I'll ask him when he calls
          me back later today or Monday.

          ** EDIT ** Just got off the phone with them and yes, they checked the sensors
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          • Profile picture of the author glchandler
            Probably a far stretch on this...what is the possibility that the threads on the filler neck are scored/scratched/nicked or dirty?

            The sensors act on too much/not enough pressure---could be that the full tank changes the pressure just enough to trip light?

            Had this problem on Ford once and it was cured by new filler neck.
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            • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
              Originally Posted by glchandler View Post

              Probably a far stretch on this...what is the possibility that the threads on the filler neck are scored/scratched/nicked or dirty?

              The sensors act on too much/not enough pressure---could be that the full tank changes the pressure just enough to trip light?

              Had this problem on Ford once and it was cured by new filler neck.
              I guess. I'll mention that to them too.
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              • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
                Steve,

                If you've added any aftermarket stereo equipment sometimes that will cause effects like what you're seeing.

                WHAT?

                ~Bill
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                • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
                  Originally Posted by Bill Farnham View Post

                  Steve,

                  If you've added any aftermarket stereo equipment sometimes that will cause effects like what you're seeing.

                  WHAT?

                  ~Bill
                  Nope, everything in the car is what it came with stock.

                  Are you serious though?
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                  • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
                    Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

                    Nope, everything in the car is what it came with stock.

                    Are you serious though?
                    Yep, I learned that from a friend of mine who owned a car stereo store. Sometime when aftermarket equipment (any electrical equipment) is added the technician will splice into a line that also feeds a sensor or other device. This can be the line leading to the sensor, or the trunk line that feeds the voltage to a sensor group. This is generally when the positive line is tapped into, but can occur when the ground wire is also/only tapped.

                    Since those sensors work on voltage differences the newly added line can cause misreadings by the sensors due to voltage drops or spikes.

                    ~Bill
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                    • Profile picture of the author Dave Patterson
                      Originally Posted by Bill Farnham View Post

                      Yep, I learned that from a friend of mine who owned a car stereo store. Sometime when aftermarket equipment (any electrical equipment) is added the technician will splice into a line that also feeds a sensor or other device. This can be the line leading to the sensor, or the trunk line that feeds the voltage to a sensor group. This is generally when the positive line is tapped into, but can occur when the ground wire is also/only tapped.

                      Since those sensors work on voltage differences the newly added line can cause misreadings by the sensors due to voltage drops or spikes.

                      ~Bill
                      Are you sayin' if I put in some Neil Sedaka there's a chance my car will just quit running?
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                      • Profile picture of the author Lawrh
                        Originally Posted by Dave Patterson View Post

                        Are you sayin' if I put in some Neil Sedaka there's a chance my car will just quit running?
                        If you play "Calender Girl" time will stop, why not your car?
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                      • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
                        Originally Posted by Dave Patterson View Post

                        Are you sayin' if I put in some Neil Sedaka there's a chance my car will just quit running?
                        Maybe not, but you will have to turn in your man card...
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                  • Profile picture of the author waterotter
                    Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim View Post

                    Nope, everything in the car is what it came with stock.

                    Are you serious though?
                    Hi Steve,

                    I changed my car insurance over with my house insurance a couple of years ago. I had to take my car to an accredited garage specified by the insurance company for the sole purpose of checking the "sound system". The system was photographed also. It had to be the original or they would not insure me! I live in Canada, so don't know if that makes a difference. But changing the sound system can cause problems in certain vehicles.
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      I think Kurt is on to something.
      Only thing else is your computer may be acting up.

      By the way Steve unless Jersey is different from NY, you can't just get a sticker.
      Here they have to get a read out from the computer on all cars made after 96

      Myself I have issues with mandated inspections, personally I think they are useless.


      How do you like your CRV (except for the current issue)?
      I had a 98 I just sold this spring.
      Except for it loosing reverse it was one of the best cars I ever owned.
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      • Profile picture of the author Steven Wagenheim
        Originally Posted by ThomM View Post

        I think Kurt is on to something.
        Only thing else is your computer may be acting up.

        By the way Steve unless Jersey is different from NY, you can't just get a sticker.
        Here they have to get a read out from the computer on all cars made after 96

        Myself I have issues with mandated inspections, personally I think they are useless.


        How do you like your CRV (except for the current issue)?
        I had a 98 I just sold this spring.
        Except for it loosing reverse it was one of the best cars I ever owned.

        Thom, I love the car. It runs great, 50,000 plus miles and this has been
        the only problem. Can you believe that?

        They checked the computer too and said that's not it.

        Hopefully, they'll figure it out.

        And yes, I hate the mandated inspections too, though in NJ, you don't
        have to go to a state inspection station. You can bring it to a private
        garage as long as it's certified.

        I'm hoping I can pay one of THOSE guys off to give me a sticker.
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  • Profile picture of the author mattlaclear
    Definitely sounds like a sensor issue. But the important thing Steve is to take a few deep breathes and relax. You have two months until the inspection and you have an expert actively working on the issue. So let him do what he does best and you go do what you do best. Things will work out. You know it will.
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  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    <hidng all his Neil Sedaka,and,just to be safe, Neil Diamond too>
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  • Profile picture of the author Dave Patterson
    @Kim...LOL!

    Steven, when you find put please post. I have an Accord I drive now and again with that light on. Never bothered to have it checked though. Car runs like a top and besides, down here, no inspections. If it starts, stops and has all the wheels on you're good to go....

    Oh yeah...it's showing 283,000 miles plus.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Wright
      (a) simple pressure leak ... faulty cap/seal, filler neck as already
      mentioned or similar somewhere in the rest of the plumbing.

      (b) inadequate source of pressure due to various reasons
      including below par fuel pump and faulty pollution control valves
      and related bits.

      (c) possibly a blocked filter or gunged up/clogged pipe

      (d) the sensor and lamp are probably working properly ....
      but maybe not for the user hand book reason?
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  • Profile picture of the author David Maschke
    Take it to an autozone and they will hook a computer up to it, and give you a print out of the possible causes. It will narrow it down a bit.

    If it's been a while since you've had a tune up, I would start with the spark plugs. Pull one out and check the gap. I would change the spark plug wires too.

    A few weeks ago my car wanted to stall when I hit the gas, so I had to drive my car home on idle. After I changed the spark plug wires, I had to ride the brake a bit because the car had so much "get up and go" in it aftwarward. Now I have to change the brake pads

    Edit: I should add that bad spark plugs will cause the fuel to ignite incompletely, causing an emissions problem.
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