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I just bought a used 2002 civic about a month ago and the check engine light came on after I filled up for gas the first time. I waited a week or two to see if it would just go off by itself but it did not so I reset it by pulling the #6 fuse. After I did this the light was off, and stayed off for my trip to school (10km), but came back on on my way home. I reset it again but the same thing happened, does anyone have any idea what this might be? Could it just be something with the gas cap or something, or should I just bring it into a mechanic to get a diagnostic run on it? Thanks for any help.

 
Rep Power: 186

You need to get the code read. Nobody can really help you until you do that.

 
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alright thanks ill bring it to a mechanic and do that then

 
Rep Power: 209

replace your gas cap

 
Rep Power: 186

^I'd agree with that except I'd like to see a code that's related to that e.g. P0457 or something and not that it's a coincidence it came on and it's something else.

 
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Got to autozone or one of those other stores to get the code read. They often do it for free.

 
Rep Power: 188

Since it keeps coming back let us know what the says ang get back to us!!

 
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yeah i guess, however, gas caps are so cheap, personally i would just grab one and see if it fixes it, seems like a strange coincidence it happened right after he put gas in

 
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Could be a bunch of things. I agree you need to have the codes pulled first. Wasting any money throwing parts at it s silly. Could be gas cap, could be purge valve on the evap canister, could be something entirely unrelated to the fuel system.

Mike

 
Rep Power: 209

gas cap is the most likely cause,

i wouldnt call replacing a gas cap "throwing parts at it",

even if it doesn't fix the problem, its cheap and should probably be replaced by now anyway

 
Rep Power: 253

Personally I would wait as well.

From what I read, the car actually goes through a "check" many times after refueling and can throw a CEL if the "check" sees a problem

I had this happen with an O2 sensor CEL right after filling up, literally pulling out of the gas station.
Personally, I wouldnt change anything until the code is pulled.

 
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Some cars give you a EVAP code if you overfill the tank. Dunno if the civics are sensitive but usually it's not a good idea to go fill the tank after the pump clicks off the first time.