My check engine light came on and I have an apointment......

[guest]

with Toyota tommorow. What does it mean when the check engine light comes on? Is it a technical glitch considering I have 47,089 miles on my baby?

"I hope my baby is ok"

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

it could be anything from a bad o2 sensor to a whole lot of things....I'm not sure if this might help or not...have you tried to reset the computer...ie. unplug the negative from the battery, leave it alone of 10 minutes, and then replug it and start again to see if the light is still there.

[cdssolara]

It's caused by something in your engine management system detecting a problem, or potential problem. I get a check engine light a few weeks ago that kept coming on and going off. It was due to an O2 sensor, which I attributed to a dyno tune that I had done recently. It has stayed off for several weeks, so I'm assuming all is fine. I only mention that to illustrate that it doesn't necessarily mean that something needs to be fixed or replaced.

You can go to Auto Zone or Pep Boys or other auto supply house that has an OBDII scanner, and they'll read the diagnosis code for you. At least that way, you'll have an idea about what you're dealing with before you go to the dealership.

[PureNocence]

It's probably your 02 sensor. I had to get one of mine replaced about a month ago...they're kinda expensive. But ya, I hope it's nothing bad

[cdssolara]

It's probably your 02 sensor. I had to get one of mine replaced about a month ago...they're kinda expensive. But ya, I hope it's nothing bad

Did you have a faulty O2 sensor that could be replaced under warranty, or did you do something to blow it? Most of the problems with them have been on supercharged cars.

[ericatdallas]

When the light comes on it's emissions related. When it's blinking that means it's time to worry.

[Flipside909]

When the light comes on it's emissions related.

Not necessarily.

[Missay]

i would worry bout it too much, a check engine like can come on for a MILLION and one reasons...everything from your fuel cap not being screwed on tightly to actual engine problems.

in work we tell customers to drive their vehicle at their own discrection.

i usually ask them if it's driving any differently, how many miles they HAVE to drive, and if they feel comfortable to drive it or if they think it's safe to drive.

i mean, obviously if you have 300miles to drive to get home, the light goes on and the car is jerking, you'd probably wanna bring it to the dealer right away. if they're closed or it's far then you would wanna tow it.
if you're only 2miles from home tho, the dealer is closed, and the car seems fine, you might as well drive it home and then call the dealer in morning to see if you could bring it by.

the car isn't acting differently, right? if you don't really feel comfortable and you have towing thru a roadside or insurance, just have em tow it in.

[ericatdallas]

When the light comes on it's emissions related.

Not necessarily.

Really? What else could it mean? The last time my engine light went off they asked me, "Is it blinking?" (On my Mazda) and when I said no, they said, "Okay, no worries, we're booked, bring it back tomorrow. It'll be okay."

My instructor told our class that engine light means emissions except when it's doing more than just being on (i.e. blinking). But he could have just meant, "For your purposes or for most cases."

[eyedea]

Is that related to a warning sign you might get when you do not properly close your fuel tank lid ?

[Yanks0114]

Is that related to a warning sign you might get when you do not properly close your fuel tank lid ?

Yes, that is possible to get the check engine light because your gas cap isn't on tight enough. I belive its because it detects a loss of pressure in the fuel system but im not 100% sure

[Missay]

yea, if the fuel cap is lose it can go on. i know beamers used to do that a lot, so you'd have to tighten it and then wait a while cause it would take the car a while to "reset" and for the light to turn off.

there's really no way to tell over the phone if the car really is safe to drive. there's just so many reasons that the light can go on..it could be the fuel cap, or just a fuse/electrical malfunction that's turning the light on, or the car really shouldn't be driven.

usually if the light is blinking or red (depends on the car..everyone is different) then it might be more serious..even then, who's to say there wasn't some short and the light is just coming on and means nothing?

best bet: if it seems to be driving ok and the owner's manual doesn't say to pull over and get the car towed then you should be ok. just use your head..don't drive long distances and get to the dealer as soon as you can

make sure you're roadside is up to date too!! you never know! and towing is expensive!

[ericatdallas]

fuel cap not on tight enough is emissions related. There's no danger in new vehicles. They have a mechanism that limits fumes (but not all) and prevents fuel from coming out.

[Gunman]

of course you know they're just gonna reset the computer, and send him on his way.

[Missay]

of course you know they're just gonna reset the computer, and send him on his way.

i always find it funny too how a lot of people seem to have no problems w/ their car until they bring it to the dealer for their first maintance check up and it sudden "breaks down" on the way home from the dealer or a couple days later.