Retrieving OBD codes

[stanno]

i've located the obd port in the engine bay on my '90 camry. how can i retrieve codes from it? recently, whenever i drive it on a highway, after 2nd gear comes in (AT) the cel comes on for couple seconds and goes back out.

[stanno]

saw that i was a bit low on engine oil.... could that be the cause ?

[z44ss]

autozone can do it on some obd1 cars. if they cant youll have to get a scanner that will scan your car.

[Mike Gerber]

No need for a scanner on OBD1 Camrys. You can read the codes with a piece of wire or a paper clip. The procedure and the codes should be in any manual. There are Toyota factory service manuals stickied at the top of the Camry forum over at AutomotiveForums.com, that are available for free downloading. Go there and download the generation 2 manual.

Mike

[stanno]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

No need for a scanner on OBD1 Camrys. You can read the codes with a piece of wire or a paper clip. The procedure and the codes should be in any manual. There are Toyota factory service manuals stickied at the top of the Camry forum over at AutomotiveForums.com, that are available for free downloading. Go there and download the generation 2 manual.

Mike

Awesome!!!. much thanks!

[z44ss]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

No need for a scanner on OBD1 Camrys. You can read the codes with a piece of wire or a paper clip. The procedure and the codes should be in any manual. There are Toyota factory service manuals stickied at the top of the Camry forum over at AutomotiveForums.com, that are available for free downloading. Go there and download the generation 2 manual.

Mike

oh yea i forgot and i use to do it on the camaro all the time. but yea what he said^^^

[Mike Gerber]

I forgot to mention in my earlier post, being a bit low on oil shouldn't cause the check engine light to go on.

Mike

[stanno]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

I forgot to mention in my earlier post, being a bit low on oil shouldn't cause the check engine light to go on.

Mike

thanks mike. i figured, i topped up and still came on.

well i went and downloaded and printed the manual. did the obd check for the efi system (shorting terminals TE1 & E1) and got a normal code. the manual however, stated that if there is a malfunction in the efi system, the check light would "stay" illuminated; not go on for a couple seconds and then go back off. that would signify something wrong. maybe wiring defects ...

my speedo doesnt work (hasn't since i bought the car) i'm now pondering if that could affect something in the whole ect system ... maybe the speed sensor. altho i can't recall seeing them connected in the wiring diagram. Reading on into the manual, i'm starting to suspect maybe one of the solenoids are bad. the manual states that if the car is left to coast, it should eventually downshift automatically, which it doesnt. so all that i'll have to get checked out. unfortunately, my safety start switch seems to be in need of cleaning, and the O/D sign in the gear selection screen does not illuminate, so i can't do a diagnostic check until i take care of that first. so when i do that, i'll report my findings incase others have the same probs...

-stanno

[Dave's]

Don't know about a '90 but the shift handle on my '92's had a light on them which is used for testing tranny codes.

[nuron]

I'm getting this same issue. When I was on the freeway last time, the CEL came on for a few seconds and shut off. This is the second time since a while ago the same thing happened. Any findings stanno?

[fredk]

the speedo has the vehicle speed sensor in it, the trans doesnt know what to do if the speedo cable breaks

[stanno]

Originally Posted by nuron

I'm getting this same issue. When I was on the freeway last time, the CEL came on for a few seconds and shut off. This is the second time since a while ago the same thing happened. Any findings stanno?

Nothing new really. Except, I'm starting to think it's maybe ign timing (can't think of anything else). Cuz driving under light throttle, it doesnt come on, but going a bit faster on a stretch, it comes on then goes, So i'm waiting for payday to go to a shop with a timing light to check that my base timing is correct.

- Stanno

[fredk]

if the belt didnt jump a tooth and you didnt move the distributor it isnt timing, when it comes on, stop and check for codes right then