Hi everyone. I have researched this a bit on here and see there are a lot of posts out here for this and it is quite long, but please read on, we are mechanically challenged and need help. We bought a used 98 Corolla this weekend with 129 K on it because my husband has been out of work for 15 months and this car looked good and it was all we could afford. Took it to a Toyota dealer to have it checked out before we bought it and they said it was a good car and didn't see anything wrong except a cracked drive belt. We bought it figuring we could afford that repair and we would be good. Get the car home and 2 days later the check engine light comes on with this code. Took it to a local mechanic and he said it tested out as a bad thermostat. Paid him to replace that and he also said we needed new radiator hoses and a coolant flush, and radiator cap in addition to the drive belt. Paid out 500.00 more dollars we don't have, leave the shop and the light comes on 5 minutes later. Go back and now they say it could be the ECT sensor or the O2 sensor. Questioned him about whether the thermostat was really the problem and he said that it was bad and needed to be replaced as I'm not sure what he said wasn't getting up to temp. We really can't afford to keep guessing and fixing everything in the car until the light goes off, so I thought I would see if anyone hear as a definitive solution.
Thanks for taking the time to read this,
Hi everyone. I have researched this a bit on here and see there are a lot of posts out here for this and it is quite long, but please read on, we are mechanically challenged and need help. We bought a used 98 Corolla this weekend with 129 K on it because my husband has been out of work for 15 months and this car looked good and it was all we could afford. Took it to a Toyota dealer to have it checked out before we bought it and they said it was a good car and didn't see anything wrong except a cracked drive belt. We bought it figuring we could afford that repair and we would be good. Get the car home and 2 days later the check engine light comes on with this code. Took it to a local mechanic and he said it tested out as a bad thermostat. Paid him to replace that and he also said we needed new radiator hoses and a coolant flush, and radiator cap in addition to the drive belt. Paid out 500.00 more dollars we don't have, leave the shop and the light comes on 5 minutes later. Go back and now they say it could be the ECT sensor or the O2 sensor. Questioned him about whether the thermostat was really the problem and he said that it was bad and needed to be replaced as I'm not sure what he said wasn't getting up to temp. We really can't afford to keep guessing and fixing everything in the car until the light goes off, so I thought I would see if anyone hear as a definitive solution.
Thanks for taking the time to read this,
ECT sensor is your Engine Coolant Temperature sensor so only one more sensor left to replace. I think $500 for that job is too much and the shop should cut you a break for a fix that you didn't need. Anyways, to change the oxygen sensor should be a do it yourself job if you have more time than money.
I forgot to mention there was also a 76.00 diagnostic charge included in that figure. I know you say it should be a do it yourself job, but the key words are we are mechanically challenged. Not looking for a handout but we are looking for someone in the Joliet/Chicago area that could help us out at a fair price or at least someone who might know the actual fix before we start changing everything in the car or are we just destined to change the ETC sensor to find out it is the O2 sensor or the other way around? Thanks again.
Do you happend to know the CEL code that was indicated - mechanic should have written it down on the work order.
Needing new radiator hoses on a 98 with 129K miles is quite unusual, unless the car has been previously neglected. Coolant flush and new thermostat, I could see needing those replaced. I hope that you where able to keep the old parts - usually a good practice to ask for them back.
As mentioned by plu - ECT sensor is on the thermostat housing itself. Not sure where the O2 sensor possibility is coming to play here - need to CEL code that was indicated to give you more information.
Do you happend to know the CEL code that was indicated - mechanic should have written it down on the work order.
Needing new radiator hoses on a 98 with 129K miles is quite unusual, unless the car has been previously neglected. Coolant flush and new thermostat, I could see needing those replaced. I hope that you where able to keep the old parts - usually a good practice to ask for them back.
As mentioned by plu - ECT sensor is on the thermostat housing itself. Not sure where the O2 sensor possibility is coming to play here - need to CEL code that was indicated to give you more information.
P0125 is the code for Coolant temp to low to enter closed loop OR O2 sensor heater circuit malfunction, bank 1. my car threw it a while back, a new therm and upper hose later it never came back.
OP i would honestly get a second opinion or consider taking it to a local tech school. as for the shop you took it to i have 2 questions. is the shop ASE and BBB certified? and 2, do you still have the work order? if the shop is ASE and they made the wrong fix then THEY are on the hook for it as that 76 'diagnostic fee' is to pay the hour labor to find the problem. i would seriously consider contacting your local Better Business Bureau about this. not to mention ASE. i'm a tech student and i go around with my sister's car from time to time with something obviously easy to fix (i usually unsrew the gas cap) and see which shop tries to to screw me. one shop tried to tell me that my engine was blown and wanted to charge me $2500 to replace it lol. one can imagine where i told him to stick his replacement engine.
__________________
before you ask a 'how do i...' question answer this for me. do you own a repair manual for it? have you searched the forum for a similar issue?
Oops - I ment to ask what the code was the second time around - after the mechanic changed out the T-stat, hoses, coolant, and radiator cap. Unless the P0125 was the "newer" code - in that case, was the first CEL code also a P0125 or something different? As I'm wondering what the mechanic went to all that trouble initially for the P0125 CEL. Following the factory service manual (FSM) - cooling system issue is not even considered a problem.
I agree with Downhill on this one - need to find another mechanic. Before swapping any parts - they should have ran a diagnostic test on the O2 sensor first, to make sure that is OK - using a Toyota handheld scanner. According to the FSM - a P0125 could be caused by a faulty PCV hose, open or short in heated oxygen sensor circuit, faulty oxygen sensor, a leak in the air induction system, faulty fuel system, faulty or stuck injector, and leak on exhaust system, or faulty ECM. Doesn't mention anything about cooling related problems, though that could be a problem if the car had been neglected by the original owner.
Mine came on a while back in december and i changed the thermostat, ECT, o2 sensors, plugs and wires and i still think it runs rich. It could be in the wiring. It's hard to say you need a diagnostic test.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Corolla 1998
Linear Mode
