Not all check engine lights point to the gas cap. And Toyota will
charge you an hour of labor just to read the code for you.
Go to your local Autozone or other parts stores. Many have loaner OBD-
II readers and they can help you read the code. Retightening the cap
won't immediately help. It may take a looooong while because the
condition for the OBD test need to be met (like driving at certain
speeds for a certain time, etc). So Autozone is faster.
You can also pull the ecm fuse for a minute to reset. But have the
code read first and post it here.
On Aug 19, 11:07 pm, johngd...@hotmail.com wrote:
> Not allcheckenginelights point to the gas cap. And Toyota will
> charge you an hour of labor just to read the code for you.
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -
Ok heres what I did : Hope this helps anyone else with this problem.
I took it to my dealer and he put a code reader on the computer .It
indicated that the vaccuum switch on the charcoal canister is faulty .
He quoted me a price of $650.00 Canadian to replace the canister which
has a builtin unserviceable vaccuum switch ( so he says )so the whole
unit needs to be replaced. so he says.
Being of a sceptical nature I called two other dealers in my area.
They quoted me about $161.00 Canadian to replace the vaccuum switch .
They said nothing about replacing the whole unit.
I called Basil Toyota in Lockport NY about an hour from me here in
Canada and they told me also that the whole unit needed to be replaced
but ~!!!!!!! at a price of
$330-$350.00 US dollars . Even with the exchange on the dollar and
only 8.125 % tax,thats about half what the original dealer wanted in
Canada......
Now my question is this : Since I was quoted two different prices for
two different methods of replacement? One, the whole canister with
built in switch for anywhere form $330.00 US to $650.00 Canadian or
just the switch,for $161.00 Canadian .
I dont really know what or who to beleive .
Anyone got the real dope on this situation ? considering the three
different prices I have recieved and two different modes ?of
replacement
I just dont know who or what to believe now .
TIA for any resonse at all.
Melanie Hunt - 01 Sep 2007 06:18 GMT
I have a 1997 Camry and my check engine light has been on for several
months. I went to a local mechanic initially and he put the reader on it
and it coded areas related to that vacuum issue(sometimes caused by the
untightened gas cap) so he reset the code and it stayed off for about 2-3
weeks. It came back on and has been on since. Before I left the first time
he told me that it is not uncommon for Toyota's (I've also found stuff
online to say the same) to have this problem with no problems with the
mechanics of the car otherwise. I havent had any loss in power or any other
related problems with the engine or fuel systems or otherwise. The only bad
thing is that if there were any serious "check engine" occasions I wouldnt
know the difference.
Not sure it helps but thats what I know about it...
> On Aug 19, 11:07 pm, johngd...@hotmail.com wrote:
>> Not allcheckenginelights point to the gas cap. And Toyota will
[quoted text clipped - 59 lines]
> I just dont know who or what to believe now .
> TIA for any resonse at all.
mred - 05 Sep 2007 14:32 GMT
On Sep 1, 1:18 am, "Melanie Hunt" <melanieh42...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
> I have a 1997 Camry and my check engine light has been on for several
> months. I went to a local mechanic initially and he put the reader on it
[quoted text clipped - 75 lines]
>
> - Show quoted text -
Yup the car runs like a dream but they tell me I need the vaccuum
switch for the e_terst .
I wont worry about that till next August as I just got my one years
sticker in August `07
I had the option of getting a two year sticker but didnt . I hate
giving the government MORE money than they already get .and I wouldnt
get interest on it either ( for the second year)Oh well win one lose
one LOL.
As for Toyotas relaibility ? It was made in Japan but I dont think its
living up to its reputation.
I had a `92 Accord-4 auto, which was less trouble prone , also made in
Japan.
johngdole@hotmail.com - 05 Sep 2007 02:25 GMT
The post 97 Toyota charcoal canister design has a lot of problems. The
main thing is that it sometimes disintegrates inside and sends
charcoal powder all over the system. But people have reported buying
new charcoal system and still have the light come back. So be careful
here before you spend the $$$$$. The VSV (vacuum switching valve) can
be clean carefully by prying open the metal tabs and lubed. Should
work like new if that's the only problem.
Yeah, Toyota doesn't seem to make them like they used to. People
flocked to Toyota because Detroit was so bad. But I must say I'm
impressed with GM's turnaround in the past year. Some awesome
technologies are finally being funneled into the new products like
it's supposed to: the new 6T/6L series of compact clutch-to-clutch
transmission (no ATF changes for life), cylinder deactivation
technology, two-mode hybrid developed with BMW, etc. And a year ago I
wouldn't drive past a GM lot.
Some examples of the new GM Epsilon platform:
http://www.saturn.com/saturn/vehicles/aura/overview.jsp
http://www.chevrolet.com/malibu/prelaunch/
> On Aug 19, 11:07 pm, johngd...@hotmail.com wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 60 lines]
> I just dont know who or what to believe now .
> TIA for any resonse at all.