Check engine light - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

98-Camry · 12-29-2005, 02:45 PM

Three weeks ago, check engine light came on. I had to clean the battery terminal and had to disconnect the battery. When I put the battery back and started the car, the light was gone, so I thought that there was no problem and the light came on by a fluke.

Now the light has came back on. What is the mechanics of this light? Does removing power reset it and should I get it checked and more importantly from where. I am afraid that the local shop cant find the applicable code and the dealer might suggest 10 other things that are not bad.

somick · 12-29-2005, 03:02 PM

Well, I doubt that the dealer will stick you that much. The thing is that dealer charges around $100 an hour. It will take them I guess about 30 minutes to read your codes.

You can read your codes yourself. This is not a big deal. The tool that reads codes is called ODB reader. I hope I remembet the name right. You can buy it at any automotive store for about $60.00. You of course can borrrow it from somebody.
Search the board for the location of the connector where to plug it.
Search the board for the code after you read it.

Sam

DFBonnett · 12-29-2005, 04:10 PM

Some auto parts stores such as Autozone will read the codes free.
FWIW
YMMV

Gary_602Z · 12-29-2005, 04:57 PM

The light has come on because the computer has determined that some reading is out of range. They usually do not come on because of a fluke. Take it to Autozone and they will read the codes for you. Then go to http://www.troublecodes.net/Toyota/ or post back here to diagnose the codes.
Depending on the problem you can cause more damage by driving it with the light on!

Gary

trickyazn · 01-02-2006, 10:08 PM

i called autozone today and for some reason they said they have the tools but they dont know how/they are not allowed to hook it up.. nor do they know how to hook it up because of electrical issues if they mess up.. any place that can read the codes for free and know how to do it?

***Edmond*** · 01-02-2006, 11:01 PM

Do you have a Murrays by you? Just leave them a $150 deposit for the OBDII reader, read your codes, go back and get your $150 back if you haven't broken the thing.

I think that Autozone is full of shit. My local Autozones read codes for free.

Like Gary said, one of the emissions sensors has gone below threshold so the CEL has come on. It's usually quite a simple issue such as an oxygen sensor but not always.

ekim55121 · 01-02-2006, 11:17 PM

auto zone, advance auto parts, checker, shucks, kragen all let you use or will read your codes for free, most places you leave them your id or a creditcard and they will let you borrow the device

trickyazn · 01-03-2006, 01:33 AM

so i just go to a place with the obii device.. take it.. find the little latch under my drivers side near the hood and plug it in.. turn on the key to "on" and it should read it right?

im hoping this would work because there might be a couple problems with my car that might trigger the check light. such as past the oil change milage by 100miles+.. changing my intake and leaving one of the sensors open (vacuum one i think) but it hasnt triggered it before.. and also my accel pedal seems to be stuck sometimes.. but i searched up that cleaning the throttle body might be solution there. ive also been in a small accident but no engine damage.. but then again when i got the car back they splashed water on my engine bay getting my intake wet.. didnt seem to do any damage though.

deeps · 01-03-2006, 02:24 AM

Before wasting any $$$, try reading the codes off the under bonnet 'diagnostic' box first.

Get a paperclip and short out pins "Te1" and "e1"

then judging by the flashes on the check engine light, you will know what the problem is.

It's properly detailed in the link that was posted above

trickyazn · 01-03-2006, 03:19 AM

im driving a 01 camry so im guessing it would be just easier if i went to autozone to get the obdii

deeps · 01-03-2006, 03:54 AM

up to you...

It's really quiet easy, and will cost you nothing at all. I'd definately try that before going to autozone for the obd2, unless they will do it for free

Digger1 · 01-03-2006, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeps

Before wasting any $$$, try reading the codes off the under bonnet 'diagnostic' box first.

Get a paperclip and short out pins "Te1" and "e1"

then judging by the flashes on the check engine light, you will know what the problem is.

It's properly detailed in the link that was posted above

deeps,

Will this work on an OBDII vehicle? I know I could do your trick on my Gen 1 Camry but I've alway thought I need a code reader to get MIL codes out of my Gen 4 Camry.

DailyDriveCamry · 01-03-2006, 02:38 PM

It works on my gen 3 and it's very easy to read the codes off the check engine light. I'm curious to know if they still do that on the Gen 4 & 5 or if it ended with Gen 3. The Haynes manual lists all the codes too, although the descriptions are kinda weak.