QuestionQUESTION: My 2006 Toyota Corolla has an engine light on. At first it was jerking a bit, then the light came up, and in two days all the symptoms where gone for about a week. Then the light was back again with the jerking . I took it to a regular repair shop, they said their diagnostic computer does not see the problem. They told me to go to AAMCO, don't' they have free estimates? If I'' take it to Toyota, they'll charge me more than $100. The warranty still covers the car, (power train) whatever that is--60,000--engine and transmission. My car has only 32,000 (2006 make), It should not be having any kind of serious problems with transmission!!!!!!!! I checked the reviews on the local Toyota shops in LA, and it seems that no Toyota repair shop can be trusted. Some people have more problems after they they fix their cars. I bought a new car, to make sure that I will not be having problems, because I was so tired fixing my previous cars, and going from one repair shop to another, feeling that they took advantage of me. And now this after 32,000!
Please advise.
ANSWER: There are some known issues with the computers (ECM)on these Corollas and I have replaced quite a few of them. You basically have two choices, go to the Toyota dealer and have it diagnosed and pay the fee up front, if it turns out to be the computer then it will cost you nothing, the warranty is 8yrs/80,000 miles for the computer. If the repair is under warranty they can not charge you any diagnostic fee. The other choice is to ge to a place like Autozone, Kragen, Advance auto etc and have them scan the computer and give you the trouble code then you can let me know what the code is and I will direct you on what to do next, please keep in mind that it's very important for me to have the actual code numbers not an explanation from a mechanic what it might be.Toyota has issued a few fatory service bulletins for computer failure depending on what trouble codes are stored.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I took my 2006 Corolla with a check engine light on to a Toyota repair. Yes, it was under warranty, and because of that as you said, they did not charge me a diagnostic fee. I was not aware of that, because your answer came up after they took care of everything. The problem was "engine control module R&R, and these where the codes: 895011, 89661-02K22 (computer, engine con).I only drove back home, about 2 miles, and I am not sure if I feel the car is running smoothly. They said that they replaced the part. But do they replaced it with a totally new one, or and old one that they have fixed, taking if from another Toyota? It gives me a very insecure feeling, that my car is 2006 with 32,000 and has already this problem. The reason behind investing in a new car, was to make sure that for at least 7-8 years I will not have to do any major repairs. From my previous experience it feels like once you do ONE major repair or replacement there is no end to the things that go wrong. So if in your answer you said that these Corollas are known to have problems with computers, what else should I look out for, and what other important steps I should take now, besides changing the oil? I was told by one mechanic that I should only use Chevron gas. Is it true? Does it make sense to pay an extra 10-15 cents for a gallon to avoid paying for repairs later? Should I add any "gunk" cleaning chemicals or not?
Thank you.
AnswerSometimes it takes a little while of driving the car after computer replacement for it to learn driving patterns, this is normal, you may experience a rough idle but this should go away soon.
The dealer uses only new computers for replacement under warranty. The Corolla is a good reliable car, with low maintenence, I think you are a little overly concerned which is understandable. There is no need to add any additives to the engine or the transmission or the fuel system, I don't believe in them and toyota never recommends any. You can use any 87octane gas that you wish to use.
