1997 Toyota Avalon

[foxykitte6]

Hi,

Boy did I need help PLEASE!!!! My car failed emissions but I do not have an engine light on and the car is only telling me that it is NOT READY with 3 codes and in NJ, you can only pass inspection with 2 codes. I have driven over 1500 miles on it and the mechanics basically have given up or don't want to waste their time anymore to try and find out how to fix it.
I have contacted Toyota to find out the drive cycle routine I should follow but again, they won't help unless I pay them a fortune and even then they can't guarantee they can fix it. It's an old car, but rides great. The engine doesn't miss and has the power it should have, etc., but I'm not going to put $2000 into it. It just isn't worth it. But, what is a person supposed to do that can't afford another car?

I am now driving the car illegally because I have exhausted all my options that I can think of. New 02 sensor was all it originally said in March and when the engine light went off, I thought Great, I can pass now.

WRONG.....I can't get through the drive cycle to clear the codes, therefore failed inspection.

To make matters worse, I'm a woman and for sure everyone knows how we get taken advantage of at gas stations, so if anyone on these boards knows the drive cycle routine I have to go through for this car......you can't imagine how much it would be appreciated.

[TrailDust]

Hi foxykitte, and welcome to Toyota Nation! Let me move your thread over to the Avalon forum so the other members there can perhaps lend you a hand. Also, if you have the codes handy that your car is throwing out you can use the Avalon forum's search tool and see if there are past threads addressing those codes. On a different tangent than codes, is it possible by NJ state law for you to register your vehicle outside the state but remain a resident, and that way get around the emission requirements? In some states you can get away with that.

[robcam13]

maybe try to disconnect the battery for a bit and reset everything. autozone will scan the car for free. you may have a pending code.(pending codes dont set off the cel)

[The Digital MagE]

to clear codes remove negative (black) battery terminal, place foot on brake and hold for one minute, then replace the battery terminal.