Yaris check engine light on, but runs fine.

[galactus]

Today, the 'check engine light' came on for the first time. The car is running fine. I checked the gas cap and it is not loose(as suggested by the owner's manual). I also heard that BP gas will cause this. Coincidentally, I just filled up at a BP. Another thing, I put in a bottle of dry gas during the cold weather. Shortly after this is when it came on. Perhaps that is the culprit. Has anyone else had a similar experience?.

[RningOnFumes]

What code is it giving? Hope over to autozone or something for a quick read and erase. If it comes back, then it's time to deal with it.

[galactus]

Thanks for the reply, but what do you mean "what code is it giving?".

I can reset it myself if it just means disconnecting the battery terminals for a few seconds. The car runs fine. I see nothing at all the matter.....thus far.

[RningOnFumes]

lol...when your car's light comes on like that, it's giving out a code. If you pull up the codes and then erase them, should the light come back on and you pull the same code then you know it's a problem

I know you can just pull the battery ...you can even just pull the computer's fuses to save your radio presets. The point is to just know that the car is telling you.

Well, I guess if you do the battery thing and it doesn't light it shouldn't be a problem either.

[galactus]

Thank you. I have a feeling it may be a gas anomaly. I am going to check it out. Take care and thanks.

[virg]

Originally Posted by galactus

Thank you. I have a feeling it may be a gas anomaly. I am going to check it out. Take care and thanks.

Usually when the 'check engine' light come on and the car runs normally, it's some emission sensor that's bad. This type of problem is normally not noticeable to the driver and can only be identified by a computer check. Take it in see what's the matter. Most of the emission components have extended warrenties on them.

[galactus]

Thank you. I take it in Monday afternoon for a check.

[habscout]

I had my 2005 Echo serviced 6 days ago on my day off, and the engine light started coming on after I drove it home. I did not notice the light until I was nearly home, and figured it might be the usual loose gas cap issue. I checked my manual and it says it may go away after the car warms up, and/or after several drives after this first appears. I didn't drive my car the rest of the weekend. My first work was Monday; the commutes are usually 45km each way but the service light did not go away after the first 2 days. Finally, it went out on the third day near the end of my trip home. It still comes on and stays on when I start the car but has taken a little less time this morning before it turned off. I booked an appointment anyways, 11 days from today on my next weekday day off. I may cancel the appointment if it improves, especially when the dealership charges $90/hour !

[thebarber]

do you have tire pressure monitoring system? what year is your yaris...?

and HABSCOUT....invest in a code reader....canadian tire had them on sale last week for 100$....or find someone local who had one to check that code...

[thebasemetn1]

What you need is an On-Board Diagnostics tool (OBDII), as thebarber mentioned. This little aparatus will give you a code (a.k.a a Diagnostic Trouble Code [DTC]), usually a letter followed by some numbers, which you can than reference to a general description or do some more research on. As RningOnFumes pointed out, a lot of auto parts shops will let you borrow these devices with some ID. You can then plug the OBDII into the port, which is usually on the drivers side near your left knee. You can probably even ask the person working at the parts store to help you. Once you get the DTC you can reference it on a site like http://www.obd-codes.com/ and then determine whether it is serious or if you can deal with the problem yourself. Also, like RningOnFumes mentioned there is away to erase the code. One method is the battery method you described, but a simpler and faster method (because you don't have to reset the clock in your car or the radio stations) is to use the OBDII tool. If, like the others mentioned, the problem re-occurs, and the problem is associated with a serious problem then you can consider a trip to the garage or possibly the dealer. I hope that wasn't too basic.

Regards,

thebasemetn1

[Dake]

Before we get too carried away, how many miles does it have? The check engine light will come on every 5000 miles to remind you of your oil change.

The Tire Pressure Monitor Light is different than the check engine one.

If you aren't at 5k or some multiple thereof, and don't want to buy your own code checker, some auto parts stores will read the code for you for free.

[RningOnFumes]

^^ I don't know about the Echo, but in the Yaris, the 5k light is a different light than the check engine light, it's a "Maintenance" light.

[habscout]

I must have missed that CT sale.

Well, the engine light went out right away after I started the car this evening. I suspect that the service person failed to do something after my last maintenance, which included an oil & oil filter change, spark plugs changed, & manual transmission flush. I also had to gas up near home, so I poured some injector cleaner in the tank before filling up the tank; still no sign of the pesky engine light so I think the issue has gone away.

Originally Posted by thebarber

and HABSCOUT....invest in a code reader....canadian tire had them on sale last week for 100$....or find someone local who had one to check that code...

[new echo owner]

So, is it the Check Engine light that is coming on? Or is it the maintenance reminder light?

N.E.O.

[Stevo_Echohb05]

I suspect that the service person failed to do something after my last maintenance, which included an oil & oil filter change, spark plugs changed, & manual transmission flush.

Unless he forgot to plug in one of the spark plugs or did something wrong the light has nothing to do with servicing the vehicle