Check Engine Light Help - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

2001SOLARABABY · 10-24-2005, 04:40 PM

Hey guys I need to know where i can get a cheap scanner to find out how to get rid of my bloody check engine light its gettin on my nerves.
I mean the car seems to run fine but i dont wana kill it cuz i didn't scan it.

Can anyone let me know where i can get one of these scanners,, and also if i disconnect the battery to try and clear it will that mess up my programmed keys/remotes or anything?

I am completely new to jap cars so i am in the dark completely when it comes to maintenace

Please let me know from some of your wisdom .

bassthrive · 10-24-2005, 10:32 PM

parts stores like autozone, discount/advance auto parts, pep boys.

most of them have obdII scanners that can read and clear the code for you, for free!

Calvin327 · 10-25-2005, 12:21 AM

First of all what was the last thing you did to the car? Second check all the fluids, oil, tranny, coolant, etc. Next if the car seems fine and normal, reset the ecu manually by disconnecting the negative terminal on the battery (the right side one) for 10 minutes and put it back on. The check engine light should be gone by then, if not you have some other problem. Its common that the fluids might be low to throw a check engine light, especially the Transmission fluid.

Good Luck
Calvin

2001SOLARABABY · 10-25-2005, 07:56 AM

I havent done anything with the car yet, as far as MODS or anything have had it for a month and the light just came on last week, it seemms to drive fine, and it is manual so it cant be tranny fluid..

I will disconnect the battery and see what happens
thanks guys , I'll keep u posted.

bassthrive · 10-25-2005, 12:27 PM

Also make sure the gas cap is on tight.

WortownSolara · 10-26-2005, 09:32 AM

there are plenty of OBD2 scanners that you can buy off of the internet for $50 Us or so. I would have the vehicle scanned rather than just disconnecting the battery.

2001SOLARABABY · 10-26-2005, 01:06 PM

I Disconnected the batt and the light is now off,, when i was disconnecting the battery i decided to check the air filter and it was nasty,, i vacumed it out for now and the whole housing had wasps and crap in it, vacumed that,,

Could that have caused the check engine light??

As far as these OBD scanners do i need software to use it on my Solara,, and can i use it on my GF's Acura 1.7 EL??

jmd445 · 10-26-2005, 01:22 PM

No, you can but a cheap scanner that will provide your engine codes or as stated earlier go to pep boys, autozone, etc and they will usually scan for free and clear the light so they can sell parts.

BadChicken · 11-21-2005, 10:06 PM

It'll probably end up being a P0171 code.