The beast is running perfectly. Is there a sensor that routinely goes out on these, or something else that commonly causes a check engine light? It has about 118k miles. Starts right up, runs smoothly, accelerates just like always...
-jeff
Pull your own codes.. not difficult.
Could be the O2 sensor, which may be perfectly ok, but triggered on the basis of miles.
You can also clear the ECL, and see if it comes back.
Should I buy a code reader thingie, or just borrow one at Auto Zone? Any idea where the computer is?
-jeff
If it is like my 94 pickup you can put a jumper wire in and read the codes by counting the check engine flashes. Buy a Haynes repair manual for the details.
Brad's got it. I bought a code reader for pre-96 (pre-OBDII)Toyotas for $40 only to find that all it does is short out two terminals in the diagnostic box. The check engine light flashes to tell you what the code number is. It flashes either one, two ot three times for either
10, 20, or 30 respectively followed by a brief pasue and then flashes between 1 and 9 times. Add them together and you get the code. Then there is a longer pause and the next code does the same thing. Unfortunately, the specific O2 sensor code (21) in the pre-96 vehicles will not always show if the sensor isn't completeley shot. Often times you will get codes 24 and 25. It is a guessing game, but if you have more than 100-120k, it is a good bet.The diagnostic box to check the codes is a small rectangular (~1"x2") gray box usually next to the fuse box under the hood (but some are inside the vehicle). You need to jumper terminals TE1 and E1. See the page listed below.
Thank you!
-jeff
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