Check engine light On! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

01corollauser · 07-16-2004, 11:07 AM

I got an check engine light on this 2001 with 76K miles. Never ever had a problem earlier.

This light came on while driving. I had almost run out of gas the same day morning but later filled in. I am confused as to the reason.

I have this problem of the car stalling for a few seconds when I start...not sure if the light is due to this

Is there a way to check the diagnostics or the error code without taking it to a dealer. Any cheaper way to find out the problem.

Any information/help is appreciated.

Thanks

thespud · 07-16-2004, 11:16 AM

there is a way to test them out, using the diagnosis cap under the hood (if the 01's have one)... what engine u got in that?

brianjonk · 07-16-2004, 12:13 PM

You might be having the exact same problem that I currently have ... I posted about this but haven't gotten any responses ... here's my original post ...

"Hey everyone ... I need some help regarding a P0300 error I'm getting in my 2001 Toyota Corolla. My check engine light came on so I took the car in to the dealership - they told me about the P0300 error and that it could be caused due to a multiple reasons ... bad plugs, low grade fuel etc. I have 65,500 miles on it now.

In addition to the light, I have the follownig problem: When I start my car, the engine fires up instantly, but when I shift it into Drive or Reverse and step on the gas a little, it wants to stall. The car doesn't start rolling immediately. I need to let it run in idle for 30 seconds or so before it will move. It happens more often than not when the car has been out in the sun for a long time. Early morning I have no trouble with it but when I get off work, which is when the cars been in the sun all day, I have the problem without fail."

I've found out from a different forum that this problem is extremely common (unfortunately for us) in 2001 Corolla's and it might be caused due to the following:

"P0300 Error Code is "Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected".

It could be anything from Timing, O2 sensor to MAF sensor etc. By the way, the MAF sensor is located near the Air filter manifold, not near the catalytic converter. "

I know this isn't a solution for you but it may give you a direction to look into.

Corollin · 07-16-2004, 12:40 PM

Ya you need to get the computer diagnostic done.
I have an 02 and my check engine light comes on sometimes when I drive. Mostly when I shift to fast from drive to reverse and back.

You can also try disconnecting the battery for a couple of minutes. It will reset your cars computer. If the light comes up again then get the diagnostic done for sure.

His engine is the 1zz-fe /w VVT-i

01corollauser · 07-17-2004, 04:25 PM

Thanks for the inputs.

Brianjonk - I found this long thread of discussion on Check engine light On!

I might try Corollin's suggestion, that would be the first thing to do.

The forum I mentioned did have suggestion to cleaning the fuel filter using Seafoam. I am not sure if that might help.

I hate going to the dealer cos they are always more expensieve, I heard it cost around 100 bucks for the diagnostics. Does Autozone or Advanced Auto have the diagnostics? They might be a little cheaper.

I had heard that the car is typically covered for emissions for around 8 years.. (need to check that) but if the issue might be related to the catyalatic convertor the replacement or fix might be free by the dealer (Hope this is true!).

brianjonk · 07-17-2004, 05:29 PM

01corollauser >> That link you posted was for this very thread

Any chance you have that other link saved?

As far as the diagnostics go ... I don't about your town but my dealership here charges something like $38 for diagnostics .. if the problem was NOT of their doing during a routine maintenance. Otherwise its free.

Autozone offers a diagnostic check for free

I've gotten one done there and they were really nice about it !! You should look into that.

Keep me updated on your progress ... maybe I'll find some useful information from you re: my problem as well.

01corollauser · 07-19-2004, 10:10 AM

Did not realize what I cut and pasted ....Here is the one I was mentioning....may be you have visted this one...its a very long one...

http://forum.mpt.org/messages/9/4322.html?1087508949

OEMonkey · 07-19-2004, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 01corollauser
This light came on while driving. I had almost run out of gas the same day morning but later filled in. I am confused as to the reason.

I have this problem of the car stalling for a few seconds when I start...not sure if the light is due to this

Is there a way to check the diagnostics or the error code without taking it to a dealer. Any cheaper way to find out the problem.

Any information/help is appreciated.

Thanks

If you got p044x - p045x, then you prolly didn't tighten the gas cap(not enough clicks) enough when you filled up. Just tighten the gas cap. MIL will disappear by itself after the monitor has run the required amount of trips.

Piddy · 07-19-2004, 05:53 PM

HAHAHAHA.... you guys get CEL's for not tightening the gas cap enough? That is pretty damn funny.

chronoti · 07-19-2004, 09:29 PM

well since we dont know another fun thing to do is bypass your egr valve..... god i hate those egr valves, they stick sometimes and then they tend to make your engine almost stall and other not fun things like that.

01corollauser · 07-20-2004, 09:19 AM

I reset the light (removing the -ve connector on the battery) and That seem to have reset the light. Alteast has not come back in the 13 miles I have driven to work today morning.

OEMonkey....The first think I did was read page 87 in the manual which mentions the things by which they think the manfunction key lights on ! Tried all those fixes. The issue which I think is the fuel filter, since I had ran low on gas the same day morning. Another thing I noticed was the car did not stall in the morning.

Question- You mentioned about the reqd. # of trips....What is the appox. miles or trips that the system takes to reset the light if everything is fine?

I think I am good go to go without spending any money on fixing that issue. But on second thoughts may use some fuel filter cleaner rather then having to replace it soon.

chronoti · 07-20-2004, 10:12 AM

fuel filters are rather cheap around $20 for the one for my camry, i change them the second i think they are getting dirty .... if you throw some cleaner in them it just ends up in the injectors or the cylinder and then you have to throw more in the clean that ......

OEMonkey · 07-20-2004, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 01corollauser
I Question- You mentioned about the reqd. # of trips....What is the appox. miles or trips that the system takes to reset the light if everything is fine?

I think I am good go to go without spending any money on fixing that issue. But on second thoughts may use some fuel filter cleaner rather then having to replace it soon.

Well, it'll prolly take forever if I have to explain everything so I'll keep it simple.
The word "trip" is an obd II term. Each monitor(misfire, evap, egr, o2, etc.) runs a trip as long as the enabling criteria for each is met. If all monitors are run during a key on key off cycle, it is called a drive cycle. A trip creates a set of driving conditions that allow a monitor to run.
example- the egr trip monitor will only run if these conditions are present: closed loop. rpm, throttle position, load, vehicle speed, and stft all w/in a specific range.
The purpose of a trip is to control the MIL(or check engine light). Some monitors that detect a fault will store a code and light the MIL in only 1 trip. example: misfire and comprehensive component monitor.
Some monitors that detect a fault will store a code and light the MIL in 2 consecutive trips. example: EVAP monitor.
If a code is stored, the PCM can self erase it, but it must see 3 consecutive trips where the affected monitor runs and passes, or it won't turn off the MIL. Without good trips, the PCM can't tell if a fault has been corrected.
So to answer your question- it depends on the driver. Grandma's car that's only driven once a week for 2 mins. to drive her to bingo night, will never run the catalyst monitor for as long as she owns the car. Also, if you think your fuel filter is clogged, just check fuel press. see if it's low or just replace the filter. And if the light comes back, make sure you pull the code before disconnecting the battery.

01corollauser · 07-20-2004, 10:26 PM

Thanks for the details, It's pretty complicated. Its much more complicated then I thought.

BTW I had the stalling again while starting the car in the evening, but the light has'nt come back. :-)

As for the fuel filter....is it easy to change..cos I thought it was inside the tank?

chronoti · 07-21-2004, 08:05 AM

nope i'm not too sure on the placement on the corolla but i know they are in the engine bay somewhere. i would say get a haynes manual they are great for doing jobs like this and only cost around $15 or so.