Check Fuel Cap Light On

I recently bought an '03 Escape with about 82K miles on it. This morning the 'Check Fuel Cap' light came on while driving. It's been several days since I'd fueled up, and was surprised when this came on now.

After checking the cap, all appears to be well. I believe it was already tight, but I snugged it up just to make sure. Cap shows no kind of damage of any kind.

Is this a symptom of other problems, or can the cap lose it's function and cause the light to come on?

Should the light turn itself off when the problem goes away, or does it need to be reset manually?

Thanks for the help.

Cap can be defective. I would replace it. Not expensive.

Okay, I replaced the cap, and there was no change.

Basically, doesn't the light on the dash indicate one of two things?

1) there's an air leak somewhere in the pressurized fuel system (which seems unlikely based on no performance changes)

2) the sensor (or it's subsystem) that turns the light on the dash is defective

Any ideas or opinions are welcomed. Thanks.

There might be a leak in the evap system somewhere. Could be the fuel fill or anything.

Okay, I replaced the cap, and there was no change.

Basically, doesn't the light on the dash indicate one of two things?

1) there's an air leak somewhere in the pressurized fuel system (which seems unlikely based on no performance changes)

2) the sensor (or it's subsystem) that turns the light on the dash is defective

Any ideas or opinions are welcomed. Thanks.

Did you clear the CEL after the new cap? (Disconnect the battery or use a codel checker to clear.)