Keep getting check engine light!

[ajd344]

I bought 2001 Toyota Solara SLE V6 around October/November 2007. In January, I got CEL. The ABS sensor needed to be replaced and the charcoal canister vent had to be cleaned out. Then a few months ago, we had to get the A/C recharged. Okay, so typical used car so far. Then, last month we got CEL again! The mechanic had to replace the gas cap seal (i think). Okay, so I figured that would be the end of the problems. But no, today I turned the car on the CEL came on. What the crap?? Why am I having so much trouble with this car? It's a Toyota. It has 79k miles on it, only 2-3k I put on. Is this car a lemon? It drives fine, its like the CEL sensor is broken. What should I do? I mean I don't wanna trade it in, I'm just frustrated because we've had less trouble on even older american cars. Well, I guess I gotta drop it off at the mechanic yet again.

Well, thanks for the listening ear.

[toyomoho]

Would state the number of times the CEL has come on is much more then usual, many owners never see one. The CEL only comes on if there is a specific trouble code stored (among hundreds); it does not turn on without a reason.

You can check the codes yourself or have someone do this for you through the ODBII connector by the steering column. Often auto parts stores will do this for free as an incentive for you to purchase parts at the outlet.

The problems you are having are NOT typically of poor maintenance or preventive, perhaps just bad luck.

Might suggest if not already done, to have the car inspected. Issues like dirty transmission and power steering fluid, warn out coolant (the corrosion inhibitors) can be changed before they do damage to their system.

If you have the owner’s manual might take a look a maintenance schedule.