I have an OBD reader, but I don't know where the DLC is in the car. It's minus a gazillion outside right now, so I'm hoping the connector is easily accessible from inside the car. Dang check engine light came on (2006 Corolla) and I tried tightening the gas cap without any luck. So, now I'll give the OBD reader a shot to tell me what the problem is.
Thanks,
Green T
Last edited by Green_Thumb; 01-21-2011 at 08:13 PM.
The Data link connector is right below the hood latch lever on the left near the drivers side left foot well.
Thanks mikered30!!! It's showing a P0171 code, system too lean....now on to figuring out what that is. I'm guessing this next step will be a pain in the wallet. Oh well, I didn't need that vacation anyway.
That's the reason the light came on. Your intake manifold gasket has shrunk causing a lean condition.
Yup! Sounds like classic symptoms of intake manifold gasket failure.
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So, is it safe to drive on the highway? Can the system being too lean cause the engine to stall? I have to take a trip and don't want to chance getting stuck in these chilling temps.
That sounds like an expensive part to replace (tough to get at)? Is it?
How cold is it where you live? If it is the intake manifold gasket, there is a revised one that does not shrink or get hard. At start up when the gasket is the smallest, dirty unmetered air is going into the engine. It should be ok to drive temporarily just let the engine warm up before driving and get it fixed when you get back. Actually the gasket is under $10 and takes about 1 hr to change.
It's been approx 10F or -12C the past few days. With the wind chill it felt like -4F or -20C. I noticed the CEL when I left work on Wed. night. The dealership said tighten the gas cap and wait a day. But after two days it was still lit. The thing is, at night I park in underground parking, which is steady at 27F or -3C.
Today, I headed out and guess what?!? The CEL is off!!! Could it be that by taking a reading with the OBD cleared the code, or it just took a little over 2 days for the gas cap tip to work, oooor the intake manifold gasket has expanded to it's original size???
I talked to the dealership and they said that the part is on back order for 2 months, but it's safe to drive around - besides the CEL is now off, so I guess the cold spell caused the intake manifold gasket to shrink temporarily? Guess I'll just wait for that new part to arrive just in time for spring, haha!
Yeah, I'll let her warm up a bit before hitting the road from now on.
Thanks everyone!
Last edited by Green_Thumb; 01-22-2011 at 11:41 AM.
It's been approx 10F or -12C the past few days. With the wind chill it felt like -4F or -20C. I noticed the CEL when I left work on Wed. night. The dealership said tighten the gas cap and wait a day. But after two days it was still lit. The thing is, at night I park in underground parking, which is steady at 27F or -3C.
Today, I headed out and guess what?!? The CEL is off!!! Could it be that by taking a reading with the OBD cleared the code, or it just took a little over 2 days for the gas cap tip to work, oooor the intake manifold gasket has expanded to it's original size???
I talked to the dealership and they said that the part is on back order for 2 months, but it's safe to drive around - besides the CEL is now off, so I guess the cold spell caused the intake manifold gasket to shrink temporarily? Guess I'll just wait for that new part to arrive just in time for spring, haha!
Yeah, I'll let her warm up a bit before hitting the road from now on.
Thanks everyone!
Sounds like quite a few of us are having the same problem right now. See: Check Engine light+rough idle when cold I also have a 2006 corolla w/ the same issue except mine is idling too low.
I think I might also have a gasket problem but I'm not 100% sure yet.
It sounds like a fairly simple fix but did the dealership give you an estimate as far as labor and parts go??
For the mechanically inclined, it sounds like a fairly simple DIY job. I was quoted $8-$10 for the part, and 1.5 hrs for labour. A couple dealerships even said it wasn't covered under the 5 year powertrain warranty, but finally one said 'yes'. I'm just under the 5yr limit, so I'm getting it replaced under warranty, when the parts are available.
My 05 S was throwing the same lean code. I replaced the intake manifold gasket and all it will cost you (with a set of basic hand tools) is five or ten bucks and an hour or so of your time depending on if you want to go ahead and clean off any buildup you come across in the intake and throttle body. Also, I find it rather annoying that they said the part won't be there for 2 months. I walked into my local dealership and got the gasket for like 6 bucks as soon as I asked for it. Try other dealerships or parts stores ie. CarQuest, O'Reilly etc. and see if they have or can order one. Depending on where the nearest warehouse is, you should be able to receive your parts within a day or so. No sense waiting if you don't have to and dealerships are, except (ironically) this time, usually bad about making you wait. Best of luck and I would also recommend applying some kind of heating element to the heat shield before trying to remove the bolts securing it if it stays that cold all the time. Just check out the previous posts and do what those guys say because it's all very valid and helpful. Best of luck!
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came on (2006 Corolla) and I tried tightening the gas cap without any luck. So, now I'll give the OBD reader a shot to tell me what the problem is. 
It's showing a P0171 code, system too lean....now on to figuring out what that is. I'm guessing this next step will be a pain in the wallet. Oh well, I didn't need that vacation anyway. 
Cheers!
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