First CEL

[Korywithak]

I know the rule, no complaint without a code.

This isn't a complaint about the CEL or whats causing it, its a question. ;)

Would I be better off taking the car somewhere to have the code read before taking it to Toyota so I know what the problem is, or just take it to the dealer and hope for the best? Opinions please!

[NoUse4aName]

If you're under warranty, go to the dealer. If not, or you're just curious, go to Autozone and get it read for free.

[stein]

I'd just go to AutoZone first and see if the code warrents a visit to the dealership.

[kylephoehn]

what do you have on your car? If you have an intake you should clean the MAFS, the IAC, and the throttle body. That will probably clear the CEL.

[Korywithak]

Autozone will read the code for FREE? Its that for real? I didn't think anything was free.

And yeah, I have an intake... Ill clean the MAFS and see if that makes it go away, but I have had the intake for over a year with no CEL... how do you clean the throttle body?

[ringthree]

Just pull the EFI fuses and call it a day. Its cold, it happens sometimes.

[NoUse4aName]

Originally posted by Korywithak
Autozone will read the code for FREE? Its that for real? I didn't think anything was free.

And yeah, I have an intake... Ill clean the MAFS and see if that makes it go away, but I have had the intake for over a year with no CEL... how do you clean the throttle body?

I had a recurring CEL that apparently just meant I needed a new gas cap. Put a new one in and it hasn't come back.

Yeah Autozone reads it for free. Hear some Toyota dealers will charge you an hour of labor just to check it.

[Korywithak]

Originally posted by ringthree
Just pull the EFI fuses and call it a day. Its cold, it happens sometimes.

Call me a noob.... EFI?

[CELICAonaPROWL]

Electronic Fuel Injection...I think

[JohnnyWash1]

Originally posted by CELICAonaPROWL
Electronic Fuel Injection...I think


:werd:

[Korywithak]

Originally posted by ringthree
Just pull the EFI fuses and call it a day. Its cold, it happens sometimes.

Originally posted by CELICAonaPROWL
Electronic Fuel Injection...I think

Someone wanna tell me where this fuse is?

[Sirk_2]

under the hood

[Korywithak]

Originally posted by Sirk_2
under the hood

Thanks I already found it... I pulled it and kept it out for a few minutes and then replaced it. Still have the CEL. I have the battery disconnected right now to reset the ECU, then Im gonna clean the MAF, if that doesn't work.... any other suggestions?

[alphasubzero949]

Christ people...if you all can afford $200 for mods, how about stashing aside $100-$150 and buying a decent OBD-II scanner. You can pretty much get them at any auto parts store. When you actually get the code read, come back here and bitch about your issue.

[jlitman]

Originally posted by Korywithak
Autozone will read the code for FREE? Its that for real? I didn't think anything was free.

And yeah, I have an intake... Ill clean the MAFS and see if that makes it go away, but I have had the intake for over a year with no CEL... how do you clean the throttle body?


Yes they will ... and I also agree that buying an OBD II scanner is worth it -- going to pick one up soon.

Anyway, my CEL was a general emissions code, and was apparently due to a loose gas cap of all things -- I'm not kidding! Get the code (big list is posted on NC.org), see what it is first. It can be something very, very minor.

-jl-

[NoUse4aName]

Why is buying one of those worth it when Autozone does it for free?

[GINYU-GTS]

Originally posted by NoUse4aName
Why is buying one of those worth it when Autozone does it for free?

:bling: :chuckles:

GTS-6

[jlitman]

Originally posted by NoUse4aName
Why is buying one of those worth it when Autozone does it for free?

Easier to do in in your driveway than in Autozones's.

[NoUse4aName]

Just how often do you get CEL's that that's an issue?

Guess I just have a nice set of locations though. An Autozone right by work and my house.

I could understand wanting one of those carchip deals that can track stats over time though.

[jlitman]

Originally posted by NoUse4aName
Just how often do you get CEL's that that's an issue?

Guess I just have a nice set of locations though. An Autozone right by work and my house.

I could understand wanting one of those carchip deals that can track stats over time though.

Well .. that one was the "cherry-breaker", and hopefully the last one I'll see ... but still, our ECU's are notoriously touchy, and a number of mods (e.g., most CAI's, some exhaust systems) and VERY minor problems (e.g., loose gas caps, bad o2 sensors) can set one off. But yeah, if they happen to you infrequently and you live right by an Autozone, it's not exactly a higher-priority purchase.

-jl-