Clear Check Engine Light

I lost the gas cap to our Civic and took me a few days to get a new
one. Check engine light came on. Took it to AuoZone today to see what
it was and have it cleared. Two stores and they couldn't do it.

Can I clear the code some way myself?

Thanks
Charles

 

If the light is on because of the gas cap...

A) It will clear itself after a few trips

B) a code reader to clear it.

This assumes you replaced the cap with a proper cap that seals correctly and
you are talking about an ODB-II car. You don't list the year of the car,
but then again I don't know if the OBD-I cars would light the check engine
light for a gas cap issue.

 

It's a 2000 Civic DX. Got the correct cap; it's been on for a few days.
One trip 80 miles each way. Looks like the reader.

 

Pre-'96 cars will not illuminate the MIL for a missing gas cap.
Pre-OBDII cars do not have sealed EVAP systems.

It would be very wise of the OP to tell us exactly what the code was.

 

The Code reader is a good investment, doesn't have to be a top of the
line model! Best $90 bucks I've invested, since dealers around here
charge about $50 just to hook one up and read the codes.... that's
before doing any work on it! Checking the codes will also make sure you
aren't having other problems.

 

I don't believe it is the duration of the driving - but the cycling of
starting and stopping the engine several times. That's how I cleared
the code on a previous car of mine in the same situation. It basically
went away after a couple of days of my normal driving around town,
couple trips a day.

Dan D
'07 Ody EX