3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
My story is that after the CEL came on, a local mechanic hooked up an OBD II tester and determined that it needed a new EGR valve which I purchased from a Toyota dealer and the local mechanic installed. After 2 days, the CEL came on again. Took it back to the local mechanic and he hooked up the tester again and could find no error codes. Then he drove the car with the tester hooked up with still no problems found. The only thing I've become aware of as a possible cause is a poor seal on the gas cap. However, after inspecting the gascap gasket, which is still quite pliable, I doubt this is the problem. Any other known causes for this light to go on, but no error codes showing up on the OBD II tester? TIA
No code? Have not heard of that before......weird. Loose gas cap usually throws a couple of codes(mostly to do with emmision codes). Thus, you can eliminate that possibility. Did your local mechanic erase the code after installing the egr valve?
I think he did, but I'm not positive. Have made an appointment for next Tuesday with the nearest Toyota dealer (55 miles away), but was hoping I could save the drive and some $ if this had been experience before by someone. Hope this doesn't mean a new "computer". Car runs great and the very last tank I got 32.9 mpg so I'm hoping it something strange, but simple.
^^ save yourself some money. Reset your battery and wait for the CEL to come back (cus i have no clue what you mechanic did), and then take it to autozone. They will tell you the error code it emits, and then you come back and research it here.
it may actually be the EGR VSV intermittently not working due to the high heat it recieves because of where its located, it under the intake manifold, its a common problem, clear the CEL and see if comes on when the car is warmed up
Sounds like he just went with what the scanner said instead of actually checking the system. If he didnt know vsv failure was more common than a bad egr valve then he must not work on toyotas much.
Folks, thanks for your comments. On my last visit to the local mechanic, he did say that he suspected the vsv although he claimed no error code pointed to it. How much does a vsv cost and how hard is it to tear out and replace?
One of the problems of going to a garage that services all cars is that they are "a master of none", but it's what you do when you're next to the middle of nowhere.
I'm assuming you can clear the CEL by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. I'll do this and see what happens.
As a little follow-up and I hope the last comment from me: I purchased an OEM vsv for $55 and had it installed for another $30. After 25 miles of driving (plenty of time to warm-up here in AZ), the light is still off. Hooray!
Harbor Freight Tools sells an OBD2 scanner for $50. It is sometimes on sale for $40. I have one and it works fine on my Toyota and I have tried it on a Mazda and it works fine on that car too. It will not work on Nissans for some reason.
Harbor Freight Tools sells an OBD2 scanner for $50. It is sometimes on sale for $40. I have one and it works fine on my Toyota and I have tried it on a Mazda and it works fine on that car too. It will not work on Nissans for some reason.
Mike
Mike,
Is that a scanner you are talking about or just a code reader?
If you can get a real scanner for $50, then I feel awfully damn dumb for spending big bux a few years ago on a real scanner!
__________________
Digger1
"If you don't understand the technology you depend upon, you will someday be a victim of that technology."
I am a skinflint, too (I've done brakes, sparkplugs and oilchanges myself), and if I were keeping the car, I would do that and also invest in a factory repair manual. But, I've had it since new and it's got 121k on it and I've replaced it with an '06 Civic. My other car is a '92 Miata, and on that one I don't think scanners work.
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