CEL comes on with fans.

[casper1999]

Hi everyone, Newbie here with a quick question,Has anyone else gotten a CEL when the cooling fans come on and shortly after the fans turn off the CEL goes off ? Any thoughts, Ideas ? Thanks guys.

[eage8]

have you checked what the CEL code is?

[casper1999]

I tried to get the code checked at Autozone and was told my car was too old (1988 SR5). I know I didn't give very many details but I was pressed for time and hoped that it would be a common problem and quickly recognized.....I guess I was wrong. Thanks for the responce anyway.

[RobMilkshakes]

near the driver side strut tower is a small box labeled 'Diagnostics' jump terminals E1 and TE1 with a jumper wire or a paperclip. Turn your key to on. The check engine light will flash the code. It will go a few flashes(say 3), pause, a few more flashes(say 5 this time), This would be a 35 Then there will be a longer pause. Either the code will repeat or if you have other codes, they will start after the longer pause.

More parts guys need to know how to do this, I am a parts guy and hate hearing stories like that.

[eage8]

that's because it's OBD-1. the OBD-II scanners they use only work for '96 and newer cars.

here's a good description on how to check it:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Toyota-Re...ht-corolla.htm

if you tell me the code I can tell you what it is.

[eage8]

Originally Posted by RobMilkshakes

near the driver side strut tower is a small box labeled 'Diagnostics' jump terminals E1 and TE1 with a jumper wire or a paperclip. Turn your key to on. The check engine light will flash the code. It will go a few flashes(say 3), pause, a few more flashes(say 5 this time), This would be a 35 Then there will be a longer pause. Either the code will repeat or if you have other codes, they will start after the longer pause.

More parts guys need to know how to do this, I am a parts guy and hate hearing stories like that.

most parts store guys know nothing about cars

I've been told this by people who work at parts stores haha

[RobMilkshakes]

Originally Posted by eage8

most parts store guys know nothing about cars

I've been told this by people who work at parts stores haha

Thats very true actually. A former manager at my store didn't even know how to change his oil.... Sadly most companys hire for attitude rather than aptitude. It pretty bad when you come into a store at 19 and are much more knowledgable than your management! And I still have a lot to really learn.

[casper1999]

Hey thanks guys, I had no idea that I could check for codes myself,this is great news. I'll give this a try tomorrow and let you know what I find,again thanks for the info.

[casper1999]

Sorry guys, I got incredibly side tracked, work,camping,home projects etc....I'm gonna do this I promise.Please bear with me and keep checking back for my findings,thanks.

[theredae92]

CEL stands for?

[casper1999]

OK, I finally got it done, Looks like 3 different codes, 22,41,71. I did it the way Rob suggested only there was no TE1, only a T on the E1 side of the box so I went with that and got these results, I hope they are actual codes and that you can tell me what they're for,Thanks.

[devo]

Code 22 Water temperature sensor circuit fault
Code 41 Throttle position circuit fault
Code 71 EGR system malfunction

I have 41 as well cant figure it out?

[casper1999]

HI devo, I found the codes in my manual after I posted and scratched my head about the 41 because I'm carbed. So I called the parts store and they were confused as well. The guy got off the computer and dug around in the books(Go Figure) and found a TPS for carbed engines in 88, but started talking about mid-year production changes and needed to know what my production date wasto be sure if my engine was equiped with one or not. He showed me a picture of what he found and I didn't recognize it,it could be burried in there somewhere I guess....I'm checking my production date and see what that brings and I'll let you know what I find out.

[devo]

FYI
I changed my Thermostat and fan switch and my codes
22
31
41
all went away I think 22 & 41 are caused by the same thing.

[90 GP]

Replace the thermostat and all the codes will probably vanish. The engine isn't getting up to operating temp due to the stat being stuck open and thus the codes.