Newbie here!

[bobbyp]

New to Toyota. Just got an '01 Celica for daughter. Black, AT, 56K miles. Look forward to getting to know you all. I have a 98 M3 and wifey drives an 02 TT so I guess you could say we're a sports car family. Also have an 87 BMW 528 as a winter beater.

First question: Celica is coming up on 60k. What would you recommend as maintenance? Car is stock. Plugs, filters?

Second question: Dreaded check engine light came on the second day after buying it. Car runs OK. At this mileage would it be O2? Taking it in to stealer to have the codes checked so no need to respond to this question. Just a curiosity, really.

Oh, the previous owner took out the cargo cover (the piece that hides the trunk area). Any place you know that sells them?

thanks

*edit* the beater is an 87 (not 97) 528e with 260K miles. Still runs like a top.

[ST185]

It never hurts to get it tuned up.
I would change all the fluids since the winter is just around the corner.
Flush the coolant, ATF, PS fluid, brake fluid, etc...
A good set of snow tires will do wonder.
For the cargo cover, try http://www.newcelica.org/forums/index.php
or www.allgencelica.com

[leasaunce]

welcome! you've got a bloody awesome cars

[bobbyp]

Hey, wrench... Check light went out but today but car had a very rough idle at startup. Do the codes thrown with the check light stay in memory or does the light need to be on to diagnose? Or, should I just throw a wrench at it?

p.s. thanks, mods, for tidying up my thread.

[bobbyp]

Almost a stall. Starts out normal then rev's go down settling below normal idle and it sputters. It doesn't die. Lasts for about 30 seconds and then idles OK. This happened today after it was sitting for a few hours in the driveway. Not cold outside (mid-fifties).

[maxpower_hd]

If it is a 2001 then it is most definatley fuel injected unless someone did some really off the wall modifications to it which is highly unlikely.

You can probably get the codes checked at one of the large auto parts chains like Auto Zone for free. The codes usually stay in the ECM until they are cleared. I'm not that familiar with the newer Toyotas though. I would imagine it would be the same as anything else. The dealer can also do it but they will most likey charge a diagnostic fee and may be reluctant to just sell you the parts so you can fix it yourself.

It could be a number of different sensors. O2 sensor, throttle positin sensor, MAP sensor, etc.

A basic tune up may be all it needs if the problem is intermittant and the light doesn't stay on. Pull out a couple of plugs and see what they look like.

Let us know how you make out.

Good Luck!

[bobbyp]

How many Celica engines made in this century have a carb? Or, are you just having your way with me wrenchy? I was hoping for good advice from you.

I checked the codes. It was mass air flow sensor going out. I replaced it and the plugs today and everything is good. Thanks for the other ideas, maxpower. I hope the O2's don't go out anytime soon. Is that a DIY on these cars?

[maxpower_hd]

No problem.

It depends on the car but most of the sensors are usually DYI projects as long as your relatively handy. There a a few that are a PITA though.

Did you end up getting the codes checked at the parts store? Our local store even gives you the location of the sensor so you can check to see if it is something you are comfortable tackling. Pretty handy if you don't have the updated diagnostic tools.

[bobbyp]

I went to a Toyota dealer to check the codes because I bought it used from a Ford dealer with a warranty on the engine. The Ford guy footed the bill for the sensor and I sprung for the plugs - although I would normally do that by myself. In this case, they wanted new plugs in after the sensor was replaced to determine if anything else was wrong (and I could get a reimbursement under warranty). Nothing else was wrong but they still tried to get me to spring for an injector and throttle body cleaning.

Next time...code checks at AutoZone and a DIY (I hope).