What could be the problem?!?! Dont want to waste a fortune

[CarlosKleiber]

I own a 2002 Toyota Camry LE and it has been running fine until recently the "malfunction indicator lamp" came on. Even though its on, the engine still runs smoothly without any problems.

Anyhow, when I took it to the toyota dealer and autopac, both said that the engine runs fine and that they need to take it in for 3 hours to look deeper inside to detect the exact issue. They would charge me like 100$/hour, so i would have to pay over like 350$ to have this issue fixed. Right now, I don't have that much money and the car's engine still runs smoothly like they checked.

Can anyone give me any clues on what the problem might be? And how it might affect the car? Thanks.

P.S. No they did not give me a code to google!

[CamNub]

Is this a Check Engine Light or what?

Because you can get the code read at Autozone...

[ebumdude]

Originally Posted by CamNub

Is this a Check Engine Light or what?

Because you can get the code read at Autozone...

yup...i was just about to say that. The best part about getting the code read at Autozone is that it is FREE.

[TRD VVTi]

It could be hundreds or thousands of different things, literally.

Having the code could narrow it down to less than a hundred different things easily.

Without an actual code there is no way to even guess what could be wrong.

Even though your car SEEMS to run properly to you, you could be doing serious damage to it by driving it with a malfunction. You may cost yourself $1000 trying to save yourself $350. I've seen that happen so many times that I can't possibly remember them all.

Get the code. We should be able to give you a ROUGH IDEA of what's wrong if you have that.

Just so you know, codes don't say what is wrong with the car. Having a code gives you a diagnostic starting point. No matter what the code is SEVERAL things will have to be checked to determine what is wrong with the car.

[mmanjin]

The check engine light comes on in my 2002 Camry once in a while but I know it's related to a sensor in the catalytic converter. In my case it comes on when I'm running cheap gas. So for me it's no big deal. Definitely find out what it is because it could be a symptom of something much more serious. I also have a 1995 Toyota Previa and I ignored the check engine light because everything seemed "okay". Big mistake. Turns out the local shop had put cheap engine coolant in the system and that caused major corrosion which lead to a sensor, thermostat and radiator that needed replacing.

[etc]

Buy a code scanner on fleabay, and pull the codes yourself. It's super easy. And will pay for itself just after one or two uses.

[TRD VVTi]

Apparently the OP made his post and abandoned it.

Oh well.

[CarlosKleiber]

Hi, I forgot to mention to you all that I am currently living in Canada where there is no autozone for free code checks.

The autopac/toyota dealer charges 60$ just to take a look at it. when i first took it to them, they said the transmission oil was dirty and they replaced it. After 2 weeks, the light came on again, this time i took it both to toyota dealer and autopac. Both said the engine was fine, and needed more time to look deeper into the problem. Which in my case could cost a fortune considering the labour costs of 100$ an hour.

So in my case, getting a code is not really feasible as i'm in canada.

[TRD VVTi]

I'm guessing that you have a transmission solenoid code. Sometimes they will stick if the fluid is really dirty/contaminated. That's probably why the want so much diag up front.

If that's the case you really need to get it checked out very soon.

[wiccanferret]

Whatever you do, don't take it to the dealership. If you can't get it read for free, just order a code scanner online.

[gdanaher]

--You have a telephone so call the local parts stores and see if any of them can diagnose for free. They are in the business of selling parts and you will buy from them if they can tell you what is broken--hence the free check. Surely stores in Toronto or Vancouver can help you. BTW, your personal info says you are in Omaha.Might consider fixing it so you don't get a response you find unhelpful.

[marc780]

Buy a basic scanner from harbor freight. They are $30 - 40. You plug it in to the OBD port under the dash and read the code. They come with a list of codes to tell you what they mean. Mine displays the code, flashes 3 times, repeats this twice, then clears the code automatically.

Until you get around to buying one, try disconnecting the battery for a minute then reconecting. If the code/light comes back then you know its not a glitch.