Check Engine Light Options

[hs2g]

My check engine light is just showed up about 2 days ago while I was driving. I thought it was my sparks plugs and maybe the car needs a tune up since it already has 75000 miles. So I called my local toyota dealer and they said that a tune up or spark plugs have nothing to do with the light. They said it was either my sensors, exhaust, or fuel. They want $75 up front too check it out and maybe some more if I want them too fix what is wrong.

I don't want to spend $75 just for checking what is wrong, but I can tell you I notice a change in gas mileage. I just pumped my gas to half tank yesterday and I only drove for maybe 30 miles on normal condition (shift at around 3k RPM) My gas went down to 1/4 tank. Thats crazy.

So does anyone have any idea what could be wrong?

[DamDirtyApes]

senser on the air box intake?

[recneps]

the problems with your gas mileage scream o2 sensor

[hs2g]

Could you recommend me a place that can check it out or can this be done at home some how?

[Digndoug]

heck engine light

That should do it..

[hs2g]

Hey thanks man i'll try that.

[DamDirtyApes]

im sure u could buy a new o2 senser and just pop it in, it doesnt look that hard

[celicaboston1983]

autozone do cel for free

[hs2g]

So you mean I can just go to autozone and have to check it out for free?

[celicaboston1983]

yes

[hs2g]

ok i'll do that tomorrow

[soltrain]

I also read that either autozone or kragen allows you to rent OBD II (sp?) testers for free if you don't want to do the paper clip method.

This post has been edited by soltrain: Oct 24, 2004 - 11:25 PM

[toyotatech3]

go to autozone and find out what code it has and let us know

[jayi12-15psi]

yes, but, lets remember that they changed codes in the mid 90's from obd1 to obd2, so depending on the year of the celica, you might not have obd2, and if you don't have obd2 autozone can't check your codes, at least not in st. louis, you can also buy code readers off of ebay. think about it, even if a code reader costs $250, you can use it over and over, and never have to pay toyota for a $75 dollar diagnostic everytime something goes wrong with your car.

but I do think that they changed it to obd2 in possibly 96? at the latest 98

[DamDirtyApes]

under my drivers side dash it says obd2, check there

[hs2g]

ok i just took my car too my local autozone today after school. They hooked this thing up too this connector under the steering wheel kind of. It read Code P0401 then says my EGA valve is not running effieciently. He showed me where is was and what I had to do. I had to take it off and clean the carbon out which might take care of it.

[Digndoug]

You mean egr? cause i have the same thing. I clean out the peace with the lil filter, an carbon crap, that your saying, didnt help. I also dont wanna spend $150 on an EGR valve.. what ever..

[hs2g]

yea EGR

[toyotatech3]

make sure the egr is not stuck closed, check for vacuum leaks, check the vacuum modulator, and then check the vsv. check the vsv when its hot becuase i had one that would work when it was cool and quit working when it warmed up. if u want info on how too check this stuff let me know.