Couple questions ESP / ABS and 16826/P0442

[ChescoS6]

I bought a 2002 S6 last month. It's been trouble free so far however due to my OCD a couple things are bothering me.

Driving home tonight I went to pass a car and stomped the gas (kind of addictive in the S6). It accelerated hard and seemd fine but an orange light temporarily flashed (just once) on the dash cluster. It did it so fast I can't pinpoint which light it was but I think it was on the speedo side. (I was watching the road) My question is, does the EDL / ABS light flash if traction loss / wheelspin is detected or would that be the ESP light? or both? Temperature was around 33 degrees according to the in car display so I could have spun on a small ice patch. HAs anyone ever had the light just flash once?

When I got home I scanned everything (engine, trans, braking electronics). Only fault code was:
16826/P0442/001090 - EVAP Emission Control Sys: Small Leak
Possible Symptoms
• Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) active
Possible Causes
• Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System leaking
Possible Solutions
• Check Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Sealing
o Check Fuel Cap

I DO NOT have a CEL. I am anal about tightening the gas cap. Since I don't have a CEL this code could have been stored since before I got the car. Any specific area on the 4.2 to look at in the EVAP system?

I searched around and most people with that code find the gas cap was the problem........

Thanks!

[B5in]

It was probably just your traction control light that flashed on when the tire spun a little.

[ChescoS6]

Thanks, I hope so. I am coming from a chipped B5 A4 which either didn't have that light or didnt have enough power to lose traction

[Stampy]

Yeah probably just the traction light. On a regular 4.2 its located on the left side of the speedo in the RPM section. It flashes when it activates. I find it annoying and hate it in the snow. The code you have is not from the gas cap. That is the cop out answer. Everyone that isn't a retard knows how to tighten a gas cap. Usually for us 4.2's its the EVAP purge valve ( N80 ). I kept throwing the same code and would get the CEL light for a few days and then it would turn off. Doesn't have any effect on driving, just an emissions thing. I took mine off and sprayed it down with brake clean on both sides a few times and then hooked it back up. No problems since. Its located right on top of the intake box. I would clear that code, clean it, drive it, and see if it comes back. That valve is cheap if you can't fix it. I think like $70 from ECS.