I have a 2001 Toyota Camry that has 98,000 miles. I haven’t any problems with this vehicle except that in the last six months the check engine light keeps coming on after I fill the tank with gas. I make surfe that I am turning the gas cap so that it clicks like it is supposed to. I have to disconnect the battery cable so that the light goes out, then it is fine. The next time I fill the tank - the same thing happens. I got a new gas cap thinking this might fix the problem - it didn’t. Any suggestions?
Have the stored trouble codes read–free of charge–at an auto parts retailer such as Auto Zone, Advance Auto, O’Reilly, Napa, etc. Most likely the code will indicate a problem with the Evaporative Emissions System. Problems with the evap system usually result from one of the following causes:
A carbon canister that is contaminated/soaked with gas as a result of overfilling the tank (In this case, overfilling means continuing to click-click-click force more gas into the tank after the pump shuts off for the first time. Do you or any of the car’s other drivers ever do this?)
A “purge valve” that is stuck
A vapor hose that is kinked
Spider nests in the evap system (Not a joke! This really can happen.)
For your sake, I hope that the problem is #2, 3, or 4 on my list, as these remedies are not expensive.
If the problem turns out to be #1 on my list, then prepare to spend about $400 to replace the carbon canister.
That is why the gas cap bears the warning, “Do Not Overfill”.
That CEL (check engine light) is just a kid in class waving her hand trying to get you attention because she has the answer. You need to have the codes read. Some places will read them for FREE. Try Autozone or Advanced Auto Parts. Get the exact code (like P0123) not just their translation into English and post it back here.