Gremlins or Ghosts?

[HotDamnGotaRam]

Other than the inevitable filter housing replacement, in the 6 mos I've had her the RAM has been a trusty friend. No complaints. Slowly fixing it up as time and money allows. One thing keeps plaguing me though. Dash lights that appear and then mysteriously go away.

Had it for several months. One day I hear a ding, look down and see Engine Light is on. Pull the codes:

$7E8 Engine
$7E9 A/T
P0440 Evaporative Emission System

So read a few threads and as recommended, inspected the gas cap. I dunno, looks like a gas cap to me. No damage, doesn't look super old. Put a layer of vaseline on O ring. Clear codes, turn off light, and keep on trucking!

A month later, get another ding. Now I got a goofy looking cartoon drawing of what I guessed is supposed to look like a gas cap falling off. Next day the engine light comes back on. Codes:

First 2 with the dollar signs are back.

No more P0440, now I got P0457.

More research, talked to a mechanic. Sounds like the leak detection pump is likely bad. Was going to go ahead and replace it, but one week later to the day the silly gas cap pic goes away. Shut the truck off, get back in it, no more engine light! I didn't even clear the codes. It's been a month now with no lights. Odd, no? Gremlins or Ghosts? I'm beginning to think this truck is possessed. Any ideas? I really like my truck, but this is awfully annoying.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Other than the inevitable filter housing replacement, in the 6 mos I've had her the RAM has been a trusty friend. No complaints. Slowly fixing it up as time and money allows. One thing keeps plaguing me though. Dash lights that appear and then mysteriously go away.

Had it for several months. One day I hear a ding, look down and see Engine Light is on. Pull the codes:

$7E8 Engine
$7E9 A/T
P0440 Evaporative Emission System

So read a few threads and as recommended, inspected the gas cap. I dunno, looks like a gas cap to me. No damage, doesn't look super old. Put a layer of vaseline on O ring. Clear codes, turn off light, and keep on trucking!

A month later, get another ding. Now I got a goofy looking cartoon drawing of what I guessed is supposed to look like a gas cap falling off. Next day the engine light comes back on. Codes:

First 2 with the dollar signs are back.

No more P0440, now I got P0457.

More research, talked to a mechanic. Sounds like the leak detection pump is likely bad. Was going to go ahead and replace it, but one week later to the day the silly gas cap pic goes away. Shut the truck off, get back in it, no more engine light! I didn't even clear the codes. It's been a month now with no lights. Odd, no? Gremlins or Ghosts? I'm beginning to think this truck is possessed. Any ideas? I really like my truck, but this is awfully annoying.

I think there can be an issue if your are filling to tank too full. When you fill up, do you stop when the first shut off occurs or do you try and put more in? If so, stop doing that and see if the issue returns. I "think" the issue with topping it off more is the filler neck gets full and fills the evaporative system and that's where the error occurs.

 

[HotDamnGotaRam]

Yes, that's a habit been trying to kick. Recently found out this was bad, so I stopped doing it. Back in the old days I had cars that would take another gallon or two after clicking off. Topping off was just what you did.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Yes, that's a habit been trying to kick. Recently found out this was bad, so I stopped doing it. Back in the old days I had cars that would take another gallon or two after clicking off. Topping off was just what you did.

Same, but that is likely the cause. I don't think it necessarily ruins it though, but it will need to evaporate before all is well (I think)...

 

[HotDamnGotaRam]

We have another vehicle, a Caddy SRX that is very suscepable to this and supposedly on those if you get gas into the vapor cannister it's game over, you got to change it and it's a fairly expensive job to have done. Think you have to drop the tank, so thanks for the timely reminder. I'm getting better, but I STILL get this urge to bring it up to an even dollar amount. Old habits die slowly, but I'm done topping off.