Check Engine Light On

[ak85lp]

Recently the Check Engine light came on with my 2000 Corolla. Here's what I have done and it still will not go off.

-made sure oil level was fine
-filled tank with gas and put cap on tight (about 5 clicks)
-turned engine off and on for about 30 minutes

Nothing seems to be apparently wrong or noisy and it drives just the same. The gas cap seems just fine as well and there are no leaks in the gas tank.

Any ideas please?

[huangxin]

go to a car part store (advanced auto parts, o'reilly's, autozone. etc). most of them will be able to pull the CEL code for you.

the CEL can be a number of things, without retrieving the error code from the car, there's nothing we can help on,

[TenZen]

Originally Posted by ak85lp

Recently the Check Engine light came on with my 2000 Corolla. Here's what I have done and it still will not go off.

-made sure oil level was fine
-filled tank with gas and put cap on tight (about 5 clicks)
-turned engine off and on for about 30 minutes

Nothing seems to be apparently wrong or noisy and it drives just the same. The gas cap seems just fine as well and there are no leaks in the gas tank.

Any ideas please?

Oil level wouldnt set a code. it would make the oil light come on.
That will do it. Also check the o-ring on the inside of the cap and make sure it isnt cracked or broken.
That wont do anything.

[zuuma]

First of all, I sympathize with you. We sympathize with you.
The hated CEL is one of modern life's maddening mysteries. There's just no predicting when it will strike.

These "what does my CEL mean?" threads are another of those mysteries -- to me, anyway.
Flamers are attracted to them like moths to a light. ... I digress.

I see you have a 2000 Corolla. Nice car. I have one, too. Perhaps, like me, you also prefer older, quality used cars, vs. buying an expensive new one. If that is the case, I urge you to buy a decent ($70 - 120) OBD2 scanner like an Actron.

Sure. You can go to Autozone & the nice dude or dudess will read the codes for you.
(probably won't erase 'em, though)
Since you have an older car now , I'm guessing the odds are your next car will be a 2008 or older (right?). That scanner will pay for itself after just one or 2 readings.

And they are as easy to use as a tire gauge ! Once you get the code, google it or search it here. It is just so awesome to scan your own car, focus your attention on ONLY the problem area, and fix it. Usually Cheaply.

The biggest bonus?
You will now be like a Jedi Master to the unwashed masses who DON'T have a scanner.
You will thrill your family, delight your friends, frighten your enemies, frustrate the repair shop & confuse the government.

How can you lose?

Be the Jedi master. Buy a scanner.
Then, tell us the code & we'll HELP! Better still, tell us the code & then brag how easy it was to fix it!

[ak85lp]

Thanks for all the tips. I think a guy at work might have a code reader I could borrow. I will also take a close look at the gas cap too.

[CT_Rolla-LE]

Hey, I have this issue as well, for me it was justy becuase the seal on my gas cap was not really doing its job. So it may just be that.
but get a reading just to be safe.

[ak85lp]

Originally Posted by CT_Rolla-LE

Hey, I have this issue as well, for me it was justy becuase the seal on my gas cap was not really doing its job. So it may just be that.
but get a reading just to be safe.

What did the seal look like? Mine seems fine.

[ak85lp]

Well it took awhile but a co worker has offered to lend me the code reader tool. Can anyone tell me where the connection is on the car where I plug the code reader in? A picture or very good description would be ideal.

[fishexpo101]

Sitting in the driver's seat - the diagnostic plug will be below your left knee - it will be underneath the dash, below and to the right of the pop-out change door in the dash.

If you can't see it - jump out of the car and look under the dash - below and to the left of the steering wheel - can't miss it.

[hungt1999]

Originally Posted by zuuma

and fix it. Usually Cheaply.

The biggest bonus?
You will now be like a Jedi Master to the unwashed masses who DON'T have a scanner.
You will thrill your family, delight your friends, frighten your enemies, frustrate the repair shop & confuse the government.

How can you lose?

Be the Jedi master. Buy a scanner.
Then, tell us the code & we'll HELP! Better still, tell us the code & then brag how easy it was to fix it!

I agree, invest in an ODB2 Scanner. If you are computer-inclined, there exists also a version for PC. I bought the version for PC. There are several free software out there that gives you all the engine diagnostics parameters (trouble codes, RPM, O2 data, Coolant temp, air temp, timing info, fuel pressure, and many more) the software can also display in real time those parameter as the engine runs.

Regardless if you buy the handheld stand-alone or the PC version, make sure it supports also the CAM protocol (vehicles 2006 and later use the CAM protocol)

[ak85lp]

I finally got the code reader to spit out the problem, The code says PO446 and the book states that it is an "EVAP Emission Control System Vent Circuit Malf"

Any ideas on this?

[Bitter]

that means that theres a problem with the evap system, particularly the vent solenoid control circuit.

[ak85lp]

Originally Posted by Bitter

that means that theres a problem with the evap system, particularly the vent solenoid control circuit.

Sorry I have no idea where that is, how much it would cost and how easy it would to be fix it.

[toyotaman11]

I also have the same p0446 code as well as the p0441 code. Both relate to the evap emission control system.

Code the code be triggered from a faulty Evap Canister Vent Valve and not the circuit?

[ak85lp]

Well as procrastination would have it, I forot about this post till today. I need to do an E test next week and I understand it may fail if the engine light is on. Is there a way to rest the engine light until I get the test done at least? The car runs fine with this light on ever since I posted here.