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

80toy · 09-25-2005, 06:30 PM

1980 4x4 longbed. 20r, 4spd, 113,000 miles. totally stock.

i just got home from a weekend of driving and off-roading. (750 miles). the road miles were chunks of 200 or more with no stops, and at 3000 rpm since i have a 4sp. the off-roading was hard, but my truck did fine. it was mostly crawling and low speed stuff at high altitude (6000 to 7500 feet). my truck never overheated, and never lost any fluids. i just had a tune-up where the fuel filter, wires and plugs were replaced. the oil is also in good shape. i know that it needs a new airfilter. it also experienced a loss of power at the higher altitude since it has a carb. the brakes gave out for a small period of time because the fluid got too hot.

the truck also has an exhaust leak at the manifold because one of the exhaust studs is backing out with the threads.

the wierd thing is that my truck is running fine. it has no loss of power, no wierd vibrations or sounds (other that the exhaust leak). the only indication that something is wrong is the check engine light.

i think that covers it. i assume since there is no change in how the truck runs that it is something simple, i hope.

also, is there any easy way to check to see what the light is by myself, or do i need to take it into a mechanic or a dealer? do you guys have any thoughts or ideas? any help is appreciated.

thank you

edit: EGR valve?

slacker · 09-25-2005, 07:57 PM

hmmm .... I didnt know a /80 20r had a check engine light .... the 2 I owned didnt ??

80toy · 09-25-2005, 10:02 PM

then what the fuck is the "CHG" light. i have three warning lights, parking brake, oil, and CHG.

slacker · 09-25-2005, 10:20 PM

thats your "charge" lamp dude .... sounds like you have an alternator problem not charging fully . I would suspect alternator brushes need replacing .. pretty common .

82toyo · 09-25-2005, 10:36 PM

It could be just loose wires also. Went off-road in my 82 yota and the nut for one of the wires fell off and the light came on. Replaced the nut and have had no problems since.

80toy · 09-26-2005, 12:31 AM

hmmm...i feel a little stupid, but at least it isn't as bad as i though, thanks.

FineWynsFJ40 · 09-26-2005, 01:19 AM

Hey, if that's your only problem, consider yourself lucky!! Last time I went on a long range off-roading trip i made it most of the way home before points and valves went out on me...

80toy · 09-26-2005, 12:37 PM

yeah, i'm glad nothing worse happened, like rolling over, or breaking down in the middle of nowhere.
btw...i will be putting up pics of the trip soon, probably in the show and share forum, once my supreme membership clears that is.

82toyo · 09-29-2005, 08:36 AM

Did you ever find out what the problem was?

80toy · 09-29-2005, 02:41 PM

no, the light just went off by itself. i checked the alternator and electrical conects, and they are all fine. it was a charge light apparently, not a check engine light as i had originally thought (CHG). i am still watching out fdor it, but for now my trucks runs good(except for the exhaust leak).