99 Camry problems--check engine light, engine rattle, help? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Ranger X · 05-22-2005, 05:38 PM

Hello all. This is my first post here, but I figured this forum would be a good place to start. I own a 99 camry with the V6 in it, and it's a great car, but unfortunately I've got some problems with it. I figure it's time I finally do something about them. First off there's the check engine light. Two days after I bought the car, the light came on, and I feel certain that the used car dealer I bought it from duped me by resetting the light. I took it into the toyota dealership, they said there was a small leak, here's the offical report:

"Installed diagnostic scan tool code P0446 evaporative
system pressure loss found vacuum switching valve hose
disconnected reinstalled and secured hose cleared code
and scanned system operation"

About 15 miles later the light came back on. I've taken it to two other mechanics since then, and both said they didn't know what the problem was, that they didn't see any leaks. Where exactly is this hose, and how hard would it be to replace it myself? Could it be just a computer malfunction, and if so, can it be fixed? I've got my inspection coming up so I really need to get it turned off.

Then there's the bad engine rattle I often experience. It's only when I accelerate, and generally after 2000 rpm. It doesn't do it all the time, and seems to do it more often when I'm low on gas. The car has 98k miles on it, but still, I figured toyota motors ought to last longer than that before having problems. I also just installed a new air intake on it, and that seemed to increase the problem (although I love the added power). It almost sounds like something is loose under the hood, but I couldn't find anything.

One last thing--Whenever I go over bumps, the front suspension makes this loud popping sound. I've been informed that the bushings on my front control arms are bad. The dealership quoted me a $450 price to replace them, though, so what I want to know is how hard would it be to replace them myself? I'm not too familiar with modern suspension systems, so if it's above my head, then I'll just have it done somewhere. Is there any other good place (in general) to take it to besides the dealership?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

***Edmond*** · 05-22-2005, 05:46 PM

First, was there an implied or written warranty of any sort when you bought the car? If there was, you know what to do. If they don't want to fix the problems, contact an attorney.

The only control arm bushings I've done were on a Corvette. The Camry setup should be the same fundamentally so it will take you a couple hours. It's no problem and not worth $450.

Next time, you can take the car to an AutoZone to have that check engine light checked. They will do a free scan for you at AutoZone, no need to pay for that.

When the check engine light comes on, it's an indication that something wrong with the emissions control system. I looked up your code and it came back:

P0446 - Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Circuit

I'll have to look it up in my manual for things to look out for.

Ranger X · 05-22-2005, 07:04 PM

It didn't come with a warranty, unfortunately. Thanks for the tip about AutoZone. I didn't know they'd do that for free. About the bushings, I'm just not quite sure how to go about changing them, like I said. I could take the wheel off pretty easy, but surely those arms are under tension, and I wouldn't know how to get them off without damaging something. I also read a TSB that suggested it could be the front spring bumper, which seems even harder to replace. What should I do? Again, thanks for the help.

FrankXT86 · 05-22-2005, 08:13 PM

I get the same code on my camry from time to time. I have a 1999 I4 and when I first got it...the check engine light came on, man was I pissed. Took it back to the dealer and checked it out and said it was no big deal, tried to hunt down the problem but couldn't find any problem. The car ran well regardless of the light.

So I took it to a local mechanic and he found out that it was a twisted vacuum line. So he untwisted it. Now it went off for a good while but it periodically comes back on. On thing it could be is a bad gas cap. The EVAP system is having trouble keeping a good vacuum. So look at your gas cap and see if its drirty or if its damaged. They arent expenisve to get a new one. If you get a new gas cap...and the light stays on after the next like 3 fillups or so, look into seeing if there is a twisted vacuum line somewhere.

Ranger X · 05-22-2005, 08:30 PM

Yeah the gas cap was one of the first things I thought about. I replaced it a long time ago, and it's still on. There must be a twisted or loose hose somewhere, like you said...but there are so many hoses, it's hard to tell which one it could be.

***Eye8Pussies*** · 05-23-2005, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankXT86

I get the same code on my camry from time to time. I have a 1999 I4 and when I first got it...the check engine light came on, man was I pissed. Took it back to the dealer and checked it out and said it was no big deal, tried to hunt down the problem but couldn't find any problem. The car ran well regardless of the light.

So I took it to a local mechanic and he found out that it was a twisted vacuum line. So he untwisted it. Now it went off for a good while but it periodically comes back on. On thing it could be is a bad gas cap. The EVAP system is having trouble keeping a good vacuum. So look at your gas cap and see if its drirty or if its damaged. They arent expenisve to get a new one. If you get a new gas cap...and the light stays on after the next like 3 fillups or so, look into seeing if there is a twisted vacuum line somewhere.

if you had twisted vacuum lines before, and your light still comes on periodically, I would look into just replacing ALL your vacuum lines.....you may possibly have a small crack that you can't see in the one that was twisted.....otherwise I wouldn't see why your cel keeps coming back

FrankXT86 · 05-23-2005, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eye8Pussies

if you had twisted vacuum lines before, and your light still comes on periodically, I would look into just replacing ALL your vacuum lines.....you may possibly have a small crack that you can't see in the one that was twisted.....otherwise I wouldn't see why your cel keeps coming back

I think it might be the shotty gas cap from Pepboys that I got 35,000 miles ago. Might stop by the dealer to get an OEM one.

Ranger X · 05-23-2005, 10:46 PM

Well, there are lots of vacuum lines under the hood, as I'm sure you know. Is there any better way to determine which one it is than just looking? A lot of them are hard to see without putting it on a jack.

Ranger X · 05-23-2005, 11:02 PM

Okay, there's something else I'm wondering about. As I mentioned earlier, I just installed one of these. I love the effects, the added low end acceleration is wonderful, and I got it up to 5000 rpm the other day. It's never been past 4000, even when flooring it, and I can really see how much the stock airbox chokes off air input. Now, I thought that installing it might actually increase my gas mileage, in addition to the added horsepower. But, it seems to be drastically reducing my mp--I've gone from the full line (not on the F, but on the line) to just below 3/4 of a tank in 3 days. I've probably driven 35-40 miles. Maybe that's a lot, I don't know, but it was just a bit alarming that it should drop so quickly. Is that odd, or is it natural? After I fill up next time, I'll average up the mpg and see how it compares to factory specs. I'm sure it could use a good TB/intake cleaning too...

FrankXT86 · 05-24-2005, 04:37 AM

I'm not sure what vacuum line my mechanic untwisted. Originally the dealer thought it was a bad charcoal canister until my outside mechanic found out it was the twisted vacuum line. It might have been a twisted vacuum line to the charcoal canister. The charcoal canister IIRC is in the rear end of the car...like around the gas tank area. Correct me if I'm wrong.

***Edmond*** · 05-24-2005, 10:42 AM

It is highly doubtful that the charcoal canister would have problems. Those things are designed to last for a long time. I think they're quite expensive to replace.

Ask the mechanic which vacuum line was twisted last time. It could be the same line. But I would think a faulty vacuum line would cause weird idling?

laksh99 · 05-24-2005, 12:37 PM

[QUOTE=
Next time, you can take the car to an AutoZone to have that check engine light checked. They will do a free scan for you at AutoZone, no need to pay for that.

[/QUOTE]
I have a 94 model Camry and have the "Check" engine light on too. I took it to Autozone and unfortunately they told me that they have the equipment to scan only models after 96. So, I took it to a Toyota dealer and they told me that just to scan and get the error code, it will cost some where in the range of $60 to $110.

Is there any other way to find the error code?

The car seams to be running the same way as before ... I don't see any change in performance after the check light came on.

***Edmond*** · 05-24-2005, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laksh99

I have a 94 model Camry and have the "Check" engine light on too. I took it to Autozone and unfortunately they told me that they have the equipment to scan only models after 96. So, I took it to a Toyota dealer and they told me that just to scan and get the error code, it will cost some where in the range of $60 to $110.

Is there any other way to find the error code?

The car seams to be running the same way as before ... I don't see any change in performance after the check light came on.

Did they check for the diagnostic port behind the coin box? The coin box is located underneath the parking brake release. There are quite a few diagnostic ports on the car so they may have skipped it.