Deceptive Warning Lights

[rupert08]

I thought I would share my embarrassing trip to the dealer this week with everyone. I went on a trip for a few days and the wife was driving my Highlander while I was away because the check engine light was on her Jeepr. When I got back from my trip the Highlander had several warning lights on – Check Engine, Traction Control, Stability Control, Exclamation Mark, and the screen said to have the VSC checked by the dealer. Car is under warranty so I scheduled an appointment. After 1 hour at the dealer, they diagnosed the problem as a loose gas cap. I was surprised the gas cap was the problem based on the warnings the car was sending. I could understand a check engine light going on but not a stability control malfunction.

Anyway, wife is in trouble because she filled-up the car last. Guess why the check engine light was on her Jeep….loose gas cap. Both my wife and I have been driving for 20 years and have never had this problem before so it’s strange that both cars had the same problem at the same time. Getting old and weak I guess.

Lesson of the day, first check you gas cap before calling the dealer regardless of what the warning lights are telling you.

I have been peeping on this forum for a while now and I felt obligated to contribute finally.

[ChrisAttebery]

I had the same thing happen to me on my then brand new 2001 Silverado. It took about 20-30 miles of driving for the lights to go off.

Thanks for the warning.



Chris

[AXMACD]

In my last HL you had to tighten the gas cap until you heard a click. First time I got gas in the new HL I tightened the gas cap trying to make it click, but it doesn't... I find if you over tighten it it's extremely hard to get off so I just tighten it as far as it will go and I've not experienced any warning lights except for the (!) because of the lack of TPMS sensors in the winter wheels.