CEL light just came on, What do you guys recommend??? Options

[k-weaver]

Ok so I just got home and picked up my fiance to drive to the movie store to take back a dvd, no problems then and none in the past. After returning the DVD I start my car and my CEL is on. I drove all the way home (about 3-4 miles) no problems. Car does not feel ANY different. It bothers my though knowing SOMETHING is possibly wrong with my car. So I got to thinking...

I can take my car to the dealer (or a local shop) and have the car looked at. I'm estimating that this will be about $60-100 depending on where I go. I have the funds to have the car looked at, but depending on the problem, I might not have the funds to fix it. So I got to thinking some more and realized that Kragen sells the CEL code reader for $99.99 (cheapest one). So I was just wondering if anyone has used one from Kragen (probably not the greatest) and if anyone has, how has it worked?

I would also like to get some more opinions on this, see what one of you guys would do if you were in the same situation. Also, can anyone recommend anything for me to check? Would rebooting the computer (unplugging the battery for about 10 mins) help? Any input is appreciated, thanks in advance guys...

Current engine mods:
96 Celcia GT
CAI
Header (cat delete)
NGK Plugs
CatBack Exhaust (2.25")

[Bitter]

autozone reads codes for free

[C3L1CA]

Yep I'd go to autozone first and see what code shows up.

There is also the paperclip method... I can't remember how exactly you do it, but Lagos posted a how to a long time ago and I couldn't find it in my quick search. Once you figure out two pins to connect you can look here and see if the code shows up and go from there.

http://www.toyotacelicaonline.com/error.htm

[k-weaver]

wow, i had no idea that autozone did that, ima have to check that out. If that doesn't work (dont see why it wouldn't) i'll probably try that paper clip method. Thanks guys...

[thespacepanda]

The reader from Autozone is more accurate than the pin trick. The data reader under the hood doesn't tell as much as the one in the dash that Autozone reads.

[stephen_lee]

there is a way to read the CEL code w/o buying or using an actual code reader.

how to:
jump TE1 & E1 on the diagnostics plug in the engine bay between the strut mount and the firewall on the drivers side. turn the key on, but do not start the car, and watch the CEL. it will either blink at a steady pace, indicating no error or blink x times. take note of how many times it blinks.

[thespacepanda]

there is a way to read the CEL code w/o buying or using an actual code reader.

how to:
jump TE1 & E1 on the diagnostics plug in the engine bay between the strut mount and the firewall on the drivers side. turn the key on, but do not start the car, and watch the CEL. it will either blink at a steady pace, indicating no error or blink x times. take note of how many times it blinks.

.....and then go buy a $140 toyota technicians manual to tell you what the number of blinks means.

Pass. Go to Autozone.

[stephen_lee]

i have one lol

[thespacepanda]

i have one lol

So do I. Its just in pdf format.
Griffgirl gave it to me.
God I love that woman.

This post has been edited by thespacepanda: Dec 30, 2007 - 12:21 AM

[stephen_lee]

haha send it to me
i have the actual book.

[thespacepanda]

haha send it to me
i have the actual book.

Do you know how long that would take? 30MB of pdf files. I could ftp them....

[stephen_lee]

do you have dial up?
i have cable.. so not long on my part

[hurley97]

there is a way to read the CEL code w/o buying or using an actual code reader.

how to:
jump TE1 & E1 on the diagnostics plug in the engine bay between the strut mount and the firewall on the drivers side. turn the key on, but do not start the car, and watch the CEL. it will either blink at a steady pace, indicating no error or blink x times. take note of how many times it blinks.

that does not work for OBDII vehicles. he has a '96 which is OBDII

go to AutoZone, get the code, post what code it is and we can help you from there

This post has been edited by hurley97: Dec 30, 2007 - 4:21 PM

[pittfirefighter]

we need to get that tech manual.... can you send it to me and i can post it for the entire site to use

[thespacepanda]

we need to get that tech manual.... can you send it to me and i can post it for the entire site to use

I'll send it to you, just gonna take a little while.

This post has been edited by thespacepanda: Dec 30, 2007 - 6:15 PM

[k-weaver]

Ok, so i went to autozone and rented out the tool. Plugged it in and the error code was P0420. The device that I rented actually told me what the problem was. It said something along the lines of my catalyst not functioning properly. I am assuming that it is referring to my cat, which because of my header I no longer have, Even though the header I purchased has the spot for the sensor...So I just erased the code, CEL no longer on. I also stopped by pepboys for a fuse holder (planning on getting some neon) and it turns out they are going out of business in my area. Lucky me . They just so happened to have the code reader on sale for 39.99. Its not the top of the line but it will get the job done. It also came with a book and CD that has all the codes with the definition.

So as far as I know, the car is fixed (not that there was anything really wrong in the first place). Thanks everyone for posting, you guys saved me alot of $$$.

[Bitter]

the code will come back

[hurley97]

you should have 2 cats. I assume you have had the header for a while before the CEL came on. Most likely the second cat is just not filtering as efficiently anymore since there is more fuel going through it than normal. Eventually too much fuel will burn out the cat completely. at that point you need to either trick the second o2 sensor or get a new cat

[thespacepanda]

We have 2 cats?!?!?

[Batman722]

We have 2 cats?!?!?

yes