Check Engine Light - HELP! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

toyotabob · 05-15-2006, 11:53 AM

Just failed the California Emissions Test due to check engine light.

The code was P0500 Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction.

What is this? Is is possible to check myself, or must I pay $150 (the diagnostic fee the smog testing station quoted)?

Any help would be great.

Thanks

1996 Camry v6

Is there a simple way to reset the check engine light, or must I go to a technician?

Lord_Anarchy · 05-15-2006, 12:15 PM

Don't PAY!!!! Check the manual in the sticky section. It'll show you how to check your ECU.. If you need a better explanation than the manual offers, I'll be happy to help.

netsfan549 · 05-15-2006, 03:53 PM

Go to autozone tell them turn it off

toyotabob · 05-15-2006, 06:52 PM

Check this out...recognized and repaired a problem with my ground cable (at the battery). After repair, no check engine light after the car is started. Is this normal...the mechanic at the smog check said the computer stores all alerted codes and transfers them to the Smog Check computer during testing. Is this true?

I asked the mechanic if I had made the repair (and thereby resetting the computer and correcting the ground problem) prior to getting my smog test, would I have passed. He giggled and said the computer would rat me out.

Help

foompla · 05-15-2006, 10:14 PM

youll be fine if you fixed it and the code is not current. there are no monitors for that.

toyotabob · 05-15-2006, 10:18 PM

Thank you foompla. I guess I will just have to monitor the problem...

By the way, what is the best diagnostic kit for the Gen 3 Camry? Would this be helpful in diagnosing this problem and others in the future?

Thanks tbob

foompla · 05-15-2006, 10:21 PM

the toyota one works pretty darn well.

Lord_Anarchy · 05-15-2006, 10:48 PM

You can just use the jumper wire technique as per the manual. Much, much, much cheaper

As far as the code, it remains in the ECU as the last code to force the light to come on but it doesn't mean crap. If you fail, the manual shows you how to reset the code so NOTHING is stored about the last error

toyotabob · 05-16-2006, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord_Anarchy

You can just use the jumper wire technique as per the manual. Much, much, much cheaper

As far as the code, it remains in the ECU as the last code to force the light to come on but it doesn't mean crap. If you fail, the manual shows you how to reset the code so NOTHING is stored about the last error

Please send location of the above mentioned procedure(jumper wire ecu reset)...I cant seem to find it in the manual (at the beginning of the thread listings).

Thank you very much for your help.