Check engine - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

rikee · 03-14-2006, 06:44 PM

Hi guys, I just registered this board couple minutes ago to be able to use the search engine but I did not find what I'm looking for. Let me explain this. My Girl friend drives a 1999 Tercel and we just went to the dealer 1 month ago to to have general verification and everything was ok with her car but yesterday, her check engine popped out from nowhere and everything is working fine with the car, no bad smell or anything. I know this problem seem to be commiing from faulty O2 sensor but I would like to know if there is anyway I can pop out the error code myself or I really have to go to Toyota. TKX for your advice.

NickR · 03-14-2006, 07:19 PM

Welcome to the board, rikee!

It's a 99, so it's OBD2, which means you can't check it yourself using just a paper clip. You could go to any garage (like Canadian Tire, it doesn't have to be Toyota) and they can read the codes for you. Or you can spend a couple of hundred dollars (not sure on the exact price) to buy an OBD2 code reader, and do it yourself.

rikee · 03-14-2006, 08:16 PM

TKX for your fast response. I thought it was an OBD1. Anyway, on my spec-v, i got an OBD2 and i can pop out the error code using my gaz pedal. I'm just wondering if its possible with my Tercel or the only way I can do it is using the ODB2 reader ?

Also, is there any common problem with o2 sensor on these car ?

NickR · 03-15-2006, 11:03 AM

I had always understood that the whole point of OBD2 was to make it impossible for DIY mechanics to read the codes without special equipment! (Obviously I'm not quite right on that, if you can read the codes on an 03 car just by pressing the gas pedal!) I'm not aware of any similar method on the Tercel, nor about any regular problems with the O2 sensors. But I could be wrong. I'm learning myself, too.

My younger daughter has a 99 Tercel (the elder has a 92 Tercel). I would be interested to hear anything you discover in this area, so please post back your results.

rikee · 03-15-2006, 11:26 AM

Alright, i will post my result. And BTW, we had to change the gaz thank lately. Very surprising for a 99 car. There was 2-3 leaking spot.