Check Engine light on....

[karch]

My check engine light has been on the past couple of days, the year on my Solara is 2001. I got 55,000 miles on it about. I've been changing my oil and oil filter regularly every 3,000 miles and I changed my air filter once around the 30,000 mile mark. I made an appointment with one of the Toyota Dealerships to see what's the problem in a couple of days. I read stuff about changing spark plugs, transmission fluid, engine coolant and pcv valve..... all of which i have never gotten done before. Could this be why my check engine light is on?? I just don't want to get ripped off at the dealership when they tell me to replace things and changing things...I don't need replacing.

Also can someone tell me how or a link to a site for how to check my spark plugs and pcv valves and what not to see if they need replacing?


Thanks for your help.

Karch

[Missay]

is the car driving any differently?

if it is, you might not wanna drive it and have it towed.
if it seems to be exactly the same, just pay attention to it and as long as nothing seems fishy, try to get it to the dealer asap.

there are just too many reasons for a check engine light to go on. it could just be that your fuel cap isn't screwed tight enough.

wow...55k already? you might need some kinda maintance to get the light off, but it really depends on the dealership as to whether or not you'll get ripped off. like we always say, some dealers are honest, and some are not

[ToyGuy]

The check engine light came on @ 3500 miles on my '02...loose gas cap. DUH. They told me if it cycles through a certain number of on/off cycles without building pressure in the system the light comes on. Make sure you click the cap!

[Yanks0114]

Don't know why the check engine light is on, could be a million reasons. It shouldn't come on when maintence is needed. You are at almost 60k miles which is a big tune up (timing belt), so bring it in anyways. They'll change spark plugs, PCV valve and all that for the 60k tune up

[ericatdallas]

Unplug the OBDII fuse and plug it back in and see if that works instead of cycling it.

No one seems to believe me, but when the check engine light is on, 99% of the time it's emissions related. And yes, the loose gas cap is emissions related, because otherwise, raw hydrocarbons are released into the atmosphere.

I'm saying that not for anyone to ignore it, but just to let you know not to panic. But yes, it can be caused by lots of things.

[Flipside909]

My check engine light has been on the past couple of days, the year on my Solara is 2001. I got 55,000 miles on it about. I've been changing my oil and oil filter regularly every 3,000 miles and I changed my air filter once around the 30,000 mile mark. I made an appointment with one of the Toyota Dealerships to see what's the problem in a couple of days. I read stuff about changing spark plugs, transmission fluid, engine coolant and pcv valve..... all of which i have never gotten done before. Could this be why my check engine light is on?? I just don't want to get ripped off at the dealership when they tell me to replace things and changing things...I don't need replacing.

Also can someone tell me how or a link to a site for how to check my spark plugs and pcv valves and what not to see if they need replacing?

Thanks for your help.

Karch

Your check engine light could be emission system related or something electrical. The only real way to find out what is tripping the CEL (check engine light) is to get it scanned by 1) Toyota dealer or 2) a qualified tech with an OBDII scanner.

Spark plug replacement rule of thumb is at 60k. Same goes fr the PCV valve.

[ericatdallas]

OBD II Scan Tool

Another OBD II Scan Tool

You can buy one or build one. The above links I think have an option for either.

[karch]

Well here's the deal now. Late last night I took all your advise and rescrewed on my gas cap... the check engine light didn't go off the after the 2nd time I started it(early this morning) since I rescrewed the gas cap. I know the check engine light could go on and off over and over again. So if it doesn't go on until tomorrow morning(the time of my appointment with the dealership) should I still go to the dealership.. or just wait till the light comes on again then rescheduale one? Again I don't wanna go to the dealership tomorrow when the problem in fact the gas cap, but ofcourse they're gonna tell me $500 worth of problems that aren't really problems. But then again I have to go and get new spark plugs and pcv valve at 60,000 anyway...

Also I don't notice anything wrong with the car of how it's running and everything. No odd noises or running problems that I can hear and feel.

Also thanks to everyone that replyed...i'll really appreciate it your help.

[ericatdallas]

Also I don't notice anything wrong with the car of how it's running and everything. No odd noises or running problems that I can hear and feel.

That doesn't mean much. It's amazing how bad things get and never make a noise not to mention how late it is by the time there is noise.

Isn't the engine still covered by the standard warranty? I never remember these things.... If so, what harm could come of it? But I remember whenever I took my old Mazda to the dealer they always charged me a diagnostic fee and what that usually amounts to is hooking up the OBDII scan tool.

[Flipside909]

Isn't the engine still covered by the standard warranty?

Only up to 60k miles unless you have an extended warranty purchased for it.

[ericatdallas]

Isn't the engine still covered by the standard warranty?

Only up to 60k miles unless you have an extended warranty purchased for it.

well I guess he is still under warranty since he is only at 55k.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

yep he's under warranty, 3yr/36K miles, and 5 year 60K miles on powertrain! (our lexi had 75K miles powertrain, when at 74, the check engine light came on...took it in and they replaced 6 bad o2 sensors!, hehe...PHEW).

[cdssolara]

I agree that most of the time the Check Engine light goes on, it's something emmissions related. Check out local auto parts stores like Pep Boys and Auto Zone to see if they have an OBDII scanner. They'll usually be able to scan your car for free, and at least you'll have an idea what the problem is. O2 sensors seem to be a big cuprit when the Check Engine light goes on. Don't panic about the light being on, but definitely get it checked out.

[ToyGuy]

Well here's the deal now. Late last night I took all your advise and rescrewed on my gas cap... the check engine light didn't go off the after the 2nd time I started it(early this morning) since I rescrewed the gas cap.

The dealer told me that the light has to be reset, won't just go out if you screw the cap on tight..

[Missay]

so it was just the gas cap? i didn't think that the solara need to be reset, i would figure that it would reset itself after a while if were just the cap

(bmw dealers used to tell me that the bmws would reset after 24hrs if it's just the gas cap)