Check Engine Light - 96 Camry

[absolutemagic]

Hey everyone,

I have a 1996 Camry DX, and the "Check Engine" Light has been on for a while now. Before we suspected that the O2 sensor was bad, so we had that changed two times. The check engine light went away for a while then came back. When we remove the battery and put it back on the light will go away but then eventually come back. I always make sure my gas cap is tight so I know it's not that. I also went to Jiffy Lube and tried to have my friend scan it, BUT, he couldn't because the ODB II plug wouldn't work since there was no where to plug it inside the car under the dash. Then he checked the tags on the door and told me that it was because my car was manufactured in 1995 and not 1996.

I have also gone online and searched for ways to do it myself, but I wouldn't know which scanners to buy. I've seen some that say I can hook it up to my computer and scan it? Does anyone know of any good ones that aren't too pricy?

So, I would like to know how I can solve this problem without having to go to a mechanic that will charge me an average price of $80 just to scan it and then probably rip me off by making me pay for repairs that I don't know about. When I look under my hood toward the passenger side, there is a little box that says "Diagnostic". I'm assuming I have to use that to check what is wrong with my car, or not.

Are there any ways I can scan it myself? Even if I can't fix the problem myself, I at least want to find a way to figure out what's wrong so I don't get charged an extra $80-100 just to find the code.

Please help.

[360glitch]

Luckily your car is in fact OBDII compatible and you just did not locate the port where you hook up the scanner. It is located behind a coin holder / random tray thing that come out of the dash on the drivers side, on the left side of the steering wheel if I recall correctly. It can be read for free at Autozone, ect.

[uibalnme]

x2

[absolutemagic]

Originally Posted by 360glitch

Luckily your car is in fact OBDII compatible and you just did not locate the port where you hook up the scanner. It is located behind a coin holder / random tray thing that come out of the dash on the drivers side, on the left side of the steering wheel if I recall correctly. It can be read for free at Autozone, ect.

Actually, I called Autozone before, and the guy said that Autozones in CA don't do it anymore so I'm not about to drive my car out of state for it lol.

Thank uibalnme! So I have to take off the coin holder right? Can I just wiggle it off?

[uibalnme]

When you open the tray, you'll see a tab on either side.

Here's a pic of a tray I found online...



You can clearly see the tabs. Press those in, and pull the tray toward you. It'll pop right out.

[JohnGD]

Other owners are still having their codes read, but I'm not sure if they're CA.

This goes on sale often for IIRC $20 off:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=98568

Originally Posted by absolutemagic

Actually, I called Autozone before, and the guy said that Autozones in CA don't do it anymore so I'm not about to drive my car out of state for it lol.

Thank uibalnme! So I have to take off the coin holder right? Can I just wiggle it off?

[absolutemagic]

Hey guys, so I got my car scanned for what was wrong with it. My friend at jiffy lube hooked it up to an OBD-II reader and found this code: P0441 and it said this: EVAP Emission Control System Purge Flow Fault. He said it might be a sensor and told me to go next door to the auto shop to see if they could fix it. When I got there the guy wanted to charge me $135 just to diagnose and find out what was wrong with it. So I thought F that and left.

I looked up the code online and found this:
This indicates that a part of the EVAP control system is no longer fuctioning correctly. The EVAP system consists of many parts, including (but not limited to) the gas cap, fuel lines, carbon canister, purge valve, and other hoses. The (EVAP) emission control system prevents the escape of fuel vapors from a vehicle's fuel system. Fuel vapors are routed by hoses to a charcoal canister for storage. Later, when the engine is running a purge control valve opens allowing intake vacuum to siphon the fuel vapors into the engine.

EVAP emission canister purge is contolled by a valve which allows engine vacuum to pull stored fuel vapors from fuel tank into the engine to be burned, rather than be vented to atmosphere. A vacuum switch is used to detect when flow exists. If the PCM commands purge and sees that the switch is closed (indicating no detected purge flow) P0441 is set.

Symptoms
Likely, no symptoms will be discernible to the driver, other than the illuminated Check Engine Light.
Causes

A code P0441 could mean one or more of the following has happened:

* Bad vacuum switch
* Broken or damaged EVAP line or canister
* Open in PCM purge command circuit
* Open or short in Voltage feed circuit to Purge Solenoid
* Faulty purge solenoid
* Restriction in EVAP solenoid, line or canister
* Corrosion or resistance in purge connector
* Bad PCM

Possible Solutions

With a P0441 OBD-II trouble code, diagnosis can be tricky at times. Here are some things to try:

* Common Chrysler fix - Replace Leak Detection Pump / LDP
* Repair damaged EVAP lines or canister
* Repair open or short in voltage feed circuit to Purge Solenoid
* Repair open in PCM purge command circuit
* Replace purge Solenoid
* Replace vacuum switch
* Repair restriction in Evap line or canister or soleniod
* Repair resistance in purge connector
* Replace PCM

This is basically what it says in my Chilton Toyota Camry 1983-1996 repair manual too.

So now I'm stuck, I've searched other threads for the same problem but no one really said how to fix it. If anyone can walk me through on how to check for any/all of these problems I would be very thankful. If not, I will have to follow my repair manual. Can anyone help me please?