The gas cap warning light of the Jeep Wrangler will trigger when there is an issue with the vehicle’s gas cap or charcoal canister. The gas cap may fail over time due to aging or it was not tightened properly after refueling. It let the vapor escape from the gas tank causing the gas cap warning light to show on the odometer.
Also, the gas cap warning light can engage when the charcoal canister becomes damaged or there is a leak on the hoses that transport the vapor from the gas tank to the canister.
On the other hand, the gas cap warning light can be reset once the issues have been solved. In case of a gas cap issue, the gas cap needs to be replaced, and need to drive for 50-100 miles for the vehicle to reset it automatically. For the charcoal canister, a professional mechanic is needed to sort out the issue and they will help to reset the gas cap warning light with an OBD-II scanner.
Why Does the Gas Cap Light Warning Come On in My Jeep Wrangler?
The gas cap light warning will appear on the odometer of your Jeep Wrangler when there is a problem with a gas cap and charcoal canister. These are part of the Evaporative Emission Control System(EVAP) of Jeep Wrangler.
1. Issues With Gas Cap
Gas caps are used to seal the tank of the Jeep Wrangler so that the fuel vapor cannot escape into the environment. There can be many possibilities that activate the warning light of the Jeep Wrangler. First, the gas cap is not tightened enough after refueling the tank. Second, the gas cap is missing from the tank. Last, the gas cap is simply worn out or torn down due to long time usage.
2. Issues With Charcoal Canister
The charcoal canister of the Jeep Wrangler captivates and stores the fuel’s vapor. It is connected with a hose from a fuel tank to the canister. When there is a leak on the hoses, the gas cap warning light triggers on the odometer. Also, the charcoal canister can deteriorate over time and may contaminate with liquid vapor instead of vapor leading to a gas cap warning light on the odometer.
How to Reset the Gas Cap Light Jeep Wrangler?
You can reset the gas cap warning light of your Jeep Wrangler on your own. It is a simple and easy task when the problem is with the gas cap. Follow the steps below to reset your Jeep Wrangler.
- Simply turn off the engine of the vehicle and unlock the gas cap door.
- Remove the gas cap by rotating counterclockwise from the gas tank opening.
- Check for the gas cap condition, if it is good then it was not properly tightened after refueling.
- In case the condition of the gas cap is bad, replace the gas cap with a new one.
- Place the gas cap on the opening of the tank, and rotate clockwise until you hear the sound of a click. This will ensure that the gas cap is properly sealed.
- Lock the gas cap door and start the engine. Drive the vehicle for 50-100 miles with low rpm to recalibrate the system on its own.
- You can also disconnect the negative terminal of the battery for approximately 15-20 minutes to reset the gas cap warning light.
- After the system is recalibrated, the warning light will go off on its own.
However, there is a problem with the charcoal canister if the warning light doesn’t go off after replacing the gas cap. There can be a potential leak on the hoses or the charcoal canister is damaged. It is better to take your Jeep Wrangler to any certified workshop and diagnose the issue thoroughly with a professional mechanic. A professional mechanic will scan the vehicle with an OBD-II scanner to find the appropriate cause of the warning light signal and will take action instantly.
How Long Does It Take To Reset the Gas Cap Light?
Theoretically, the gas cap light of the Jeep Wrangler will reset on its own after driving around 50-100 miles on the road. Though it may differ in some cases, the vehicle will run an evap test when certain circumstances are met. The evap will not perform the test when the gasoline is full or empty, the gasoline needs to be at a certain level between three-quarters and one-quarter of a tank. Besides, the coolant temperature has to be at a certain level as well.
So, it all depends on how you are helping the evap to run the test. Maintain the required gasoline level and the coolant temperature of the Jeep Wrangler and drive the vehicle for three complete driving cycles or 50-100 miles so reset the gas cap warning light.
Is Resetting the Gas Cap Light a Temporary Solution?
The gas cap warning light will show on the odometer when the system detects major or minor leaks causing the vapor to go out into the environment. The leaks can be from the gas cap or from the charcoal canister.
You can reset the gas cap light for a temporary solution but it will not provide a permanent solution if you do not fix the leaks. Whenever the evap system performs the test, it will eventually come back again. The warning light appears to alert you so, it is better to fix the problem which will provide better mileage and performance of the engine, and harmful toxic gas will not pollute the environment.
How Often Does the Gas Cap Light Need To Be Reset?
There is no specific time or instructions given by the manufacturer on how often you should reset the gas cap warning light of the Jeep Wrangler. The gas cap light doesn’t need to be reset manually unless there is an issue with the gas cap or charcoal canister. After fixing the issue, the gas cap light will automatically turn off when the computer system(evap) performs a test on it.
What Makes a Gas Cap Go Bad?
The gas cap of the Jeep Wrangler can go bad for several reasons. Over time, the gasket seal may simply crumble due to moisture and air in the environment or, it may tear or wear out after reaching its operational life. Also, it can go bad when it is damaged physically by falling on the hard surface of the ground which results in the breaking or cracking of the gas cap.
Moreover, changes in the pressure of the evap system can lose the ability of the gas cap to seal the tank properly leading to the escape of the vapor in the environment.
What Are the Signs of a Bad Gas Cap?
The signs that you may encounter when the Jeep Wrangler has a bad gas cap are given below.
- The vehicle’s “check engine light” and the “gas cap warning light” will pop up on the odometer of the dashboard.
- The inside of the vehicle will smell like fuel odor when driving and it will be stronger near the gas cap door.
- The fuel economy of the vehicle will be significantly reduced which results in poor mileage of the vehicle and the fuel gauge decreases more than usual while driving.
- Removing and inserting the gas cap will be hard and difficult due to damage to the locking mechanism of the gas cap.
How Do You Reset the Check Engine Light After Tightening the Gas Cap?
Resetting the check engine light of the Jeep Wrangler is simple and you can easily do it on your own. Follow the steps below to reset the check engine light after tightening the gas cap.
- Remove the negative terminal from the battery and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
- After 15-20 minutes, reconnect the negative terminal in the battery.
- Complete three driving cycles or 50-100 miles so that the computer recalibrates the system on its own. The check engine light will go off after calibration.
Is It OK to Drive With the Gas Cap Light On?
You can drive the Jeep Wrangler with the gas cap light on but it is not highly recommended. The gas cap warning light alerts you that there is a leak in the fuel system of the vehicle. Leaking of fuel vapor can severely pollute the environment and reduce the performance of the engine.
It is advisable to address the issue as soon as possible to maintain the vehicle’s performance and other potential damages.