Check Engine light of my Toyota Camry model 2003 goes on intermittently , I have already tried googling nothing mentioned there works.
I have already spent money on changing muffler as advised by mechanic. Muffler had a hole in it.
I have tried unplugging the battery overnight , it worked for few hours.
Autozone read the code for me for free it was same as mechanic .Now mechanic is suggesting a 600 dollar solution which I am skeptical about.
Anybody has similar personal experience ?
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
Same thing happens in my van.
Could be an electrical problem..lal batti fuzool me jal jaati hai jab kuch hilta hai! :o
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
What is that $600 solution he is suggesting?
Secondly, is he a Toyota dealership mechanic or someone else?
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
What is that $600 solution he is suggesting?
Secondly, is he a Toyota dealership mechanic or someone else?
It is not at a dealership. I guess I should go to dealership.
Changing something somewhere around engine I did not pay attention as I was hoping changing muffler will fix the issue. It did for a few days then it came back. Now it is intermittent goes off for few days , goes back on for few and it was the problem to start with.
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
No its not muffler
Usually check engine light turns on when Air/Gasoline mixture ratio is goofing up. That could be Air Filter, Oil Filter, Oxygen Sensor or Spark plug.
What is the code that you got? Could you list it here?
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
I will post the code later.
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
Get a few different opinions. Make sure you don't commit until you talk to a few. Mechanics are like doctors, they will find things wrong with you if they have to.
I say dealership because your car is comparatively new, so some parts of it might be under warranty.
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
It is not at a dealership. I guess I should go to dealership. Changing something somewhere around engine I did not pay attention as I was hoping changing muffler will fix the issue. It did for a few days then it came back. Now it is intermittent goes off for few days , goes back on for few and it was the problem to start with.
Before, you go to any repair shop try resetting the computer first.. Its a small pizza box behind the glove compartment. Now for your model I don't know how its done, most new models have a small reset pinhole. Some models suggest removing the battery short circuit both negative/positive turn on the ignition. Sometimes if its not one of the sensors or the kampootar itself then it will fix the problem, if not then time to get hold of vehicle Diagnostic Code Reader..
Good luck.
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
Code number :P0420
Description of DTC :
Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshhold ( Bank 1)
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
Code number :P0420 Description of DTC : Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshhold ( Bank 1)
One of the three things
1) O2 sensor before the Catalyst converter has malfunctioned
2) Catalyst converter has malfunctioned
3) O2 sensor after the Catalyst converter has malfunctioned
Or in worse case scenario its the central kampootar (Which is of course couple grand)
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
Sorry can't help you here. My knoweldge of car engines is as robust as my car engine's knowledge about me: practically none.
However, I can tell you that this friggin' "check engine" light is the most annoying thing ever invented. This small light comes on. Doesn't tell you whats wrong. The light comes on and off seemingly at will. Car runs fine, but every owner manual and mechanic tells you that you need to take care of it ASAP. Most places charge you $150+ just to run some tests for diagnosing what it is, and fixing the problem is much more. Most have no clue how to fix it. Which can sound mighty expensive if you are at Speedy's only to get oil change for $29.99 (with Pennysaver Coupon). Some times it could be as simple as tightening the fuel cap. And all the time that this light is on, and you are driving your car, you have this sinking feeling in your stomach that you have no idea if the car will suddenly stall, engine will erupt in flames or some other catastrophe will befall. Whoever thought of putting this little indicator in the dash board, without any explanation of what it means, should be subjected to water boarding or some other constitutionally permitted and appropriate torture method.
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
Most of the time when you get check engine light on its because one of the reading is out of spec. Nothing wrong or no harm if the part in question is running right at the bordrer line.
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
I once read that if the petrol filler cap isn't on tight enough it can cause a check engine error.... it's some kind of mandated measure to protect the environment from petrol fumes.
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
Sorry can't help you here. My knoweldge of car engines is as robust as my car engine's knowledge about me: practically none.
However, I can tell you that this friggin' "check engine" light is the most annoying thing ever invented. ...............
Well said.
It seems to be a govt. measure to make auto mechanics rich. The problem is that you cannot sell your car if it is on and you cannot pass the emmission tests if it is on.
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
Code number :P0420 Description of DTC : Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshhold ( Bank 1)
That code came up for my 2004 Accord and I HAD to get it fixed and pay $600 because otherwise they wouldn't pass my brake tag (emission test) that I had to have done to get my license plate. The mechanic told me that basically what it does is that a bad catalyst gives you slightly less mileage. The difference is only 1-2 miles per gallon.
If you just want the darn light off (erasing won't help because auto zone erased my light too but it came back up right away), disconnect the battery cables for 5 minutes, then put them back on and restart the car. I have never tried this but someone told me AFTER I paid $600 that this should solve the problem. Good luck.
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
the engine coollant is to be replenished.
or the wheels are off the axel, TLK bhai no?
they must get rotated.
No its not muffler
Usually check engine light turns on when Air/Gasoline mixture ratio is goofing up. That could be Air Filter, Oil Filter, Oxygen Sensor or Spark plug.
What is the code that you got? Could you list it here?
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
usually O2 sensor is the first one to go bad. Cat. converter are meant to last a lifetime and depending on the current mileage on your car, I doubt CC is the culprit. The code you're seeing is a generic emission related code. Screw the environment & keep driving. There's no danger of your car breaking down in the middle of the road because of this DTC, just that your fuel consumption would go a bit high. A hole in muffler doesn't cause this DTC to set, so you got duped by that retarded mechanic - it can happen to anyone of us.
Now as for the fixes - most options are expensive. One would be for you to move to Michigan since there's no vehicle inspection required and you can pretty much be dragging a smoke bomb on the road and no one would raise an eye brow.
You can ask Toyota dealership if there's a PCM flash update for MY03 Camry. If yes, get your PCM reprogrammed. Chances are, some of engine calibration parameters were set to a very sensitive threshold causing the engine light to come on.
what that mechanic told you was the most expensive & yet least suspected component fault (a distant possibility though). So, a second option would be, if allowed in your state, you can go for tailpipe emission test and if passed, this engine light won't stand in your way of getting the vehicle inspection passed as well.
I'd lean more towards O2 sensors being the suspect(s). Get a second opinion and tell the mechanic (play a bluff) that you're sure the converter is just fine and one of the O2 sensors probably need to be looked at. O2 sensor replacement isn't expensive. They take lot of beatings along the way and should be replaced on regular basis.
To sum up, I'd go for O2 replacement (its due anyway if hasn't been done since you bought the car), if that doesn't reslove the issue, take your car to dealer & have your PCM reprogrammed.
If that doesn't work either and you don't want to spend $600 on C.C replacement, move to Michigan with your Camry and live happily ever after.
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
^ this man knows his cars....:)
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
One of the three things
1) O2 sensor before the Catalyst converter has malfunctioned 2) Catalyst converter has malfunctioned 3) O2 sensor after the Catalyst converter has malfunctioned
Or in worse case scenario its the central kampootar (Which is of course couple grand)
May be worthwhile to go back to the muffler guy and ask him to chlk if there's a weld leak. Afterall he suggested putting in a new muffler as solutioN and Mich says the problem went away for a few days once the new muffler was. Put in.
Re: Check Engine light on intermittently .
I'd lean more towards O2 sensors being the suspect(s). Get a second opinion and tell the mechanic (play a bluff) that you're sure the converter is just fine and one of the O2 sensors probably need to be looked at. O2 sensor replacement isn't expensive. They take lot of beatings along the way and should be replaced on regular basis.
To sum up, I'd go for O2 replacement (its due anyway if hasn't been done since you bought the car), if that doesn't reslove the issue, take your car to dealer & have your PCM reprogrammed. If that doesn't work either and you don't want to spend $600 on C.C replacement, move to Michigan with your Camry and live happily ever after.
That code came up for my 2004 Accord and I HAD to get it fixed and pay $600 because otherwise they wouldn't pass my brake tag (emission test) that I had to have done to get my license plate. The mechanic told me that basically what it does is that a bad catalyst gives you slightly less mileage. The difference is only 1-2 miles per gallon.
If you just want the darn light off (erasing won't help because auto zone erased my light too but it came back up right away), disconnect the battery cables for 5 minutes, then put them back on and restart the car. I have never tried this but someone told me AFTER I paid $600 that this should solve the problem. Good luck.
O2 sensors are not expensive?!?!? I had it changed, read my post above. They not only charge you for that, but also the labor and other minor things along the way. In the end, it IS about $600 to have the O2 sensor replaced. It sounds easy but when they have to lift the car, charge for taking it out, buying the new one, and installing it, it all adds up. They were also suggesting that I get the tune up done, I was like I don't think so buddy!