dash symbols 94 camry

[toyotas_rock]

I bought a 94 camry LE and I have a question about a symbol on the dashboard. It is on the left side all the way at the bottom under check engine. The symbol is orange and looking down on the car from the top with some lines going straight out the rear end of the car. It doesn't come on after the car is started. It comes on when I put my foot on the brake and put it into reverse and then stays on the whole time the car is on. Also I was driving it the other day and the check engine came on for about 5 minutes then went away. Does that mean that there could be a problem, or was that just a glitch in the system?

[eyeball96]

U have a burnt out bulb somewhere..ie brake, tail, third brake light!

[toyotas_rock]

thanks. I have never heard of an option like that. But it makes sense because I do have a bulb out.

[Mike Gerber]

The check engine light coming on is a separate problem. Read the code to see what is stored in the system. Your car is OBD1, so you can read the code with just a piece of wire. Check any manual for the procedure.

Mike

[toyotas_rock]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

The check engine light coming on is a separate problem. Read the code to see what is stored in the system. Your car is OBD1, so you can read the code with just a piece of wire. Check any manual for the procedure.

Mike

Can't you only read codes when the check engine light is on? If so, it hasn't come back on yet. Sorry I don't understand what you are telling me. What do you mean my car is OBD1, and i can read the code with just a piece of wire. I don't know what that means. And I don't have a manual.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by toyotas_rock

Can't you only read codes when the check engine light is on? If so, it hasn't come back on yet. Sorry I don't understand what you are telling me. What do you mean my car is OBD1, and i can read the code with just a piece of wire. I don't know what that means. And I don't have a manual.

In many cases the code from the check engine light illuminating, even temporarily, is still stored in the car's computer, until it is read and erased.

OBD1 means your car has an older computer system that does not require a special tool to read the codes; only a peace of wire or a paper clip connected between two terminals of the diagnostice contector, located in the engine compartment. The newer OBD2 cars, starting with model year 1996 and going forward, require a special tool to plug in to the car's computer system to read and erase the codes.

It would be best for you to obtain a manual that cover's your car's model year as the OBD1 information and how to obtain the codes will be covered in the manual. Up until recently this website had actual Toyota factory service manuals posted that were available for free downloading. Copyright laws forced them to be removed. I have heard that they are still available on some sites. Do a search on this site for manuals as I recall somebody referencing some other site where the manuals can still be obtained.

Mike

[toyotas_rock]

Thanks guys. This website is great.