QuestionQUESTION: Hi, I am having 2000 Toyota Camry CE since April 2008. I bought it at 100K it runs great and I am getting around 30mpg in city and around 40mpg on highways. Reason I bought it from a person who maintains the car with great care. Since July 4th, 2008 I am seeing the Engine-Check light turned on. I am a total novice and referred to the vehicle manual which says show it to dealer, as I was getting ready to take it to the dealer, the lights went off (July 5th). So I sort of forget it assuming it being some computer malfunction. But today as I was returning from office I again saw the lights on (July 7th). What do I do? The car runs great and I did not notice any problem in its operation except of occasional jerking when turning or starting at the green light. Can you help me? I am getting scared even to think of engine dying!
One thing I would like to share is that few days ago (almost 2 weeks), I was waiting in my car parallel parked facing downhill. At that time, I just turned the key and without starting the car, I changed the gear to Neutral. When I lifted my leg from the break-pedal, the car started rolling down, owing to the fact that its being parked on a downhill road. I tried stopping it by first applying the break however, it would not stop. Fearing to not knock the car few feet from me, I suddenly changed the gear from Neutral to Park; due to this car stopped immediately though with a very loud noise like Dhhaddd. After this I started the ignition and reversed back to my original spot and be in line. The car started ok afterwards and I never noticed any problem though, I am afraid that it might have caused some problems? Also, on July 4th, I went to see the city fireworks where in I pressed the break pedal on several occasion while the car was parked and the ignition was off (mainly to warn the young drunk drivers that my car is there and they should not knock my car in their hurry!). Could either of these contribute to the Engine Check lights being turn on?
Also, please inform me about the Engine Tune ups. How often one should have them? I have driven this car for 1000 miles after I bought it in April 08. I change oil every 3 months/3K miles (Pennzoil Yellow at JiffyLubes).
Is it safe to drive the car with the Engine Check lights being ON? Can you recommend a reliable mechanic in Ames, IA area.
waiting for your earliest help and advice.
Thanks
ANSWER: Very good questions!
I cannot even begin to guess what is going on without knowing the
codes from the PCM. First of all make sure your gas cap is on all
the way. You need to go to an auto parts store (Autozone, O'Rileys,etc) they will hook up a scanner to your car for free and
tell you what codes are set in the computer. At this point DO NOT
purchase any parts they recommend, they are not technicians!
They don't understand the technology on vehicles and how the
computer and sensors work. Let me know what the codes are. I've seen
way to many $300. sensors replaced on vehicles and it has NOTHING
to do with the issue on the vehicle.
As far as the transmission, if it shifts and drives ok its fine,
just don't make a habit of doing that.
Tune-ups depend on how many miles you drive, the type of
driving, and the climate your in. If your driving 12k to 15k a year
combination city and highway, my definition of a tune-up is such;
every week check tire pressure, check all the fluids under the hood, look for fluid leaks, every month inspect belts and hoses and battery cable connections. Change oil/filter every 3k miles or 3 months, every 6 months check air filter, every year remove a spark plug and inspect it or replace plugs. (they are one of the most neglected
items on a vehicle) On a 4 cylinder Camry the cost of the plugs is
less than $15.00 and it takes about 15 minutes to replace them.
It's common sense, take car of your vehicle and it will take care
of you.
Tim
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks for your early reply, I was able to take the car to O'Reilly as suggested by you (Autozone is not in my town). There they gave me the instrument and told me where to fix it (under the dash board). The code I got is: P0401: Check Engine Code, EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION FLOW INSUFFICIENT DETECTED. The person told me that I should clear the code for now and drive as usual. However, if the Engine Check lights comes on again then come back check again and if it is the same code then there is a real issue. I left afterwards, I drove almost 2 miles after that to reach home and now the car is parked. The light was off for this 2 mile ride. Please let me know how serious of a threat is this code and the corresponding function to my car? Can my car stop all of a sudden in the middle of road due to it? What would be an estimated expese to have it repaired or replaced? Can you recommend a reliable place where I can have it repaired/replaced. As per your question, Ames,IA is in the Central U.S. temperature during summer is generally around 90+ and humid, it is cold during winter with snow covered mid-November till almost March. During the oil change last time, JiffyLube did change the automatic transmission fluid, also adjusted the wheel something that has to do with simulteneous rotation of all four wheels. In all they did almost 4-5 things changed mostly with fluids! They showed me the air-filter and told that it was ok to keep it for now. I will ask them about the oil filter in my forthcoming visit in few days. Is there a website that you can recommend where I can learn few of the things about Do it yourself maintenance. Honestly, I even dont know where the air-filter is located in hood. All I know is the windshield washer liquid, coolant and automatic transmission fluid; these are adjacent to each other.
Waiting for your earliest advice.
Thanks
AnswerP0401 is an issue with the EGR valve and its components.
Have someone check all vacuum hoses around the EGR valve, and check
the EGR valve with a vacuum pump while the engine is running.
In addition, check wire connections around EGR valve and VSV circuit.
Also check MAP sensor. These things are simple to do by a Toyota
technican. Go to a Toyota dealership or ask people in town where there is a repair shop that works on Toyotas. DON'T got to a Jiffy lube, Goodyear, etc.
Its OK to drive that way.
Purchase a Haynes or Chiltons repair manual for that car, its
only about $15. Study and read it.
Tim
