skullsandcandy

I have been having this issue with my box for the last month where the cel, vsc and trac off lights go off while I am driving but they it seems to only happen when I am really low on gas. I have read a few forum posts that say the gas cap being loose can cause these to go off. What I was wondering is if its possible for what ever sensor is used to measure the pressure for the tank would be reading a leak as he tank empties. I do have an injen sr intake but I did not experience this issue for several months after installation. The maf is intact and clean as is the pipe so that is the only other thing I can think off that could be causing it. Any thoughts?

05CAMO

Is the car throwing any error codes? Check engine light on ? That might point you in a direction.

skullsandcandy

I didn't read the code unfortunately and I know I should have I just wanted to double check all my work and see if it goes off again when I am low on gas again. If it does go off again I will go get it the code read and take it in to the dealership. I was mostly just curious if there was anything else I might be able to check in the mean time and if my theory sounds reasonable about the gas cap/tank.

05CAMO

I believe codes stay in the CPU's memory until cleared. If you have a friend with a reader on perhaps Auto Zone or Pep will read your OBDii port to see if there's anything in there.
I'd bet your guesses are correct but I'm no mechanic.

skullsandcandy

Ahh, I didn't know it kept a log. Thanks for the info :D

vintage42

I don't think so. The vapor recovery system senses an unsealed fuel tank when the cap is not tight and there is a loss of vapor pressure in the tank. The system could not sense an unsealed fuel system from the amount of gas in the tank - there is no relation between the two, and a low fuel level is a normal operating occurrance. Here is info from the manual:
--------------
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
The vapor pressure sensor and the VSV for the canister closed valve (CCV) are used to detect abnormalities in the evaporative emission control system. The ECM decides whether there is an abnormality in the evaporative emission control system based on the vapor pressure sensor signal.
DTC P0442 or P0456 is recorded by the ECM when evaporative emissions leak from the components... or when the vapor pressure sensor malfunctions.
DTC P0442 After the negative pressure introduction has been completed, if
the pressure in the EVAP system sharply increases. (Small
leak).
DTC P0456 If the pressure in the EVAP system slightly increases while the
ECM performs a leak check. (Very small leak).
Possible Trouble Area:
Vacuum hose has cracks, holes, or is blocked, damaged or disconnected
Fuel tank cap incorrectly installed
Fuel tank cap has cracks or is damaged
Open or short in vapor pressure sensor circuit
Vapor pressure sensor
Open or short in VSV circuit for EVAP
VSV for EVAP
Open or short in VSV circuit for CCV
VSV for CCV
Fuel tank has cracks, holes, or is damaged
Charcoal canister has cracks, holes, or is damaged
Fuel tank over fill check valve cracks, or is damaged
-------------------------

skullsandcandy

It went off again and I got a read on it as being P0012 Camshaft Over-retarded

I have an appointment to drop it off on Friday morning for the dealer to look at it. Hopefully it is just a sensor gone bad because it cleared itself on Saturday night and then Sunday afternoon it came back on. I searched the forums and saw that someone else has had the same intermittent code going on and off and it being linked to the VVT-i valve sensor. Anyone else have some input? I am taking it to the dealer regardless as I said above but I am still interested in what could cause that error.

vintage42

Here's from the manual. Perhaps the intermittent nature of your problem is due to junk in your oil and a plugged oil passage.
DETECTION CONDITIONS FOR DTC P0012
Condition (a) or (b) continues after engine is warmed up and engine speed at 450 to 4,500 rpm (Problem of the advanced OCV):
(a) Valve timing does not change from current valve timing
(b) Current valve timing is fixed
TROUBLE AREAS
- Valve timing
- Oil control valve
- Camshaft timing gear assy
- ECM
SENSORS
- Main: Camshaft position sensor
- Related: Engine coolant temperature sensor, crankshaft position sensor
HINT
DTCs P0011 or P0012 is output when a foreign object in engine oil is caught in some part of the system. These codes will stay registered even if the system returns to normal after a short time. These foreign objects are then captured by the oil filter, thus eliminating the source of the problem.

skullsandcandy

Vintage, thanks for the post it is greatly appreciated. I will post up again after my visit to the dealer thanks!

skullsandcandy

Just got back from the dealership. Looks like I cracked the seal on the OCV, doh! Nothing major just waiting for the part come in to the dealer so it can be replaced. Thanks again for the info everyone.

vintage42

What is the OCV? Did you crack the seal, and how did you do that? Or did it crack by itself?

skullsandcandy

The OCV is the Oil Control Valve. It seems I damage the seal slightly when I was pushing on it (unknowingly) to put tension on the alternator after installing my crank pulley.