I checked engine, what is my code? plz help Options

[ssnake86]

About two months ago my check engine light came on, two days later while driving down to toyota to see what the problem was it just turned off. And i thought well maybe its just a sensor problem or soemthing, cause the car drives perfectly normal. Since then it flashed on and off about 4 or 5 more times. at one time i had not seen it on for about a month. It came back on again today, so i checked it with the paper clip. it flashed 7 times and paused for maybe a sec and flashed once more. Does anyone know what this could be? is it serious?

[Supersprynt]

EGR, like everyone else.

[ssnake86]

whats that mean? is it serious?

[shid]

Is your car parked in the garage??? is your family home!? oh my god, get them out of the house and call the fire department! and whatever you do, DONT DEALARM THE CAR

[fastgt]

huh?

[jojobombiest]

[BEEFSTEW800]

[Snarfer]

EGR valve recirculates exhaust gases back into the intake manifold, helps reburn certain gases, as well as dilutes the the fuel/air mixture (One the reasons JDM models have more power, no EGR). I think there are three things that would cause the check engine, one is a leaky hose going in and out of the egr. Next is a bad valve or carbon deposits collecting in the valve, there is some way to check how to test it with a vacuum. The last is the solenoid that controlls how much the valve opens and closes. A bad EGR can harm the engine, if less fuel/air dilution takes place the engine may run hotter, or detonation and pinging could occur. This is probably unlikely, and toyotas can take a beating. The worst that will probaly occur is some erratic idleing and that's it.