QuestionQUESTION: Just bought my daughter a 2002 toyota celica GT w/99K miles on it. It's got the 1.8 engine and manual transmission. After about 500 miles the check engine light came on and I ran the trouble codes on my Snap-On scanner. The two codes are as follows: P0171 (Fuel System Too Lean - Bank 1) and P0441 (Evap Sys Incorrect - Purge Flow)
Any suggestions on where to start? The engine is still running fine and the codes reappeared the next day after I cleared them the day before after she ran the car for about 20 miles.
ANSWER: Hello.
The P-0171 code is common to Corollas.
What you need to do: Locate the tube from the air filter box to the intake manifold. Find the Mass Air Flow Sensor, which is in the center of the tube. Unplug the wiring connector. Remove the 2 screws that holds it on. Using a flashlight, inspect the interior of the sensor. Look for 2 silver wires. You will prob see fuzzy things on the 2 wires. Using spray brake cleaner, flood the interior of the sensor until the wires are CLEAN. Do NOT use compressed air, you will damage the wires. Reinstall the sensor, reconnect the wire connector, and drive the vehicle.
The P-0441 indicates a failed vacuum switching valve, under the vehicle, near the charcoaql canister. Look for loos or cracked vacuum lines. If none are found; replace the sensor.
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QUESTION: OK, haven't gotten a chance to clean the MAF Sensor yet or check underneath for the vacuum switching valve, but my daughter just called me and told me she had to crank the engine 9 times to get it started after she filled it with gas. The odd thing is that the exact same thing happened the last time she filled it! Is this a tell-tale sign of anything.
Also, how about the vacuum switching valve. Can you tell me where that's located at on a 2002 Celica 1.8 so I know where to start looking?
Thanks a million for your help!
Randy
ANSWER: Clean the MAF before you do anything else.
This is a very common issue with Toyotas. ESPECIALLY if the car has any kind of upgrades to the intake system...cold air box, K & N filter, etc.
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QUESTION: OK, cleaned the MAF and replaced it. The light (P0171) came back on after about 20 minutes of driving. Last night I replaced the MAF (at a cost of $80) and reset the codes. My daughter just called me this morning on her way to work and she says the light came back on again.
Any suggestions? My trial and error method could bet expensive real quick!
AnswerOK.
Are the plugs and the air filter new? If not, replace them, and use TOYOTA plugs. If the car has a "K & N" air filter, toss it in the garbage.
Then, go out and find a can of "BG-44K", and dump it on top of a full tank of gas. Drive the car until the gas is almost empty, and then reset the code.
