12-11-2010, 02:08 AM
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#1
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Member
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 50
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 50
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Lesson Learned...
We've had our '07 4Runner for about a month now and got our first CEL last night (also, the VSC lights came on). Took it into the mechanic and they pulled off an evap code, saying it might be the gas cap. They did a few additional tests and said that the gas cap needed to be replaced. So, I had them replace it, costing me $110.00 (labor, parts and tax).
Well, in browsing through the forum after getting home, I noticed that this issue has come up quite a bit, with most clearing the code themselves and just taking the cap off and putting it back on again. Can't believe I shelled out $110 for a plastic gas cap.
Lesson learned I guess...
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12-11-2010, 02:22 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Age: 37
Posts: 2,281
Real Name: Doug
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Age: 37
Posts: 2,281
Real Name: Doug
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mattb2003
We've had our '07 4Runner for about a month now and got our first CEL last night (also, the VSC lights came on). Took it into the mechanic and they pulled off an evap code, saying it might be the gas cap. They did a few additional tests and said that the gas cap needed to be replaced. So, I had them replace it, costing me $110.00 (labor, parts and tax).
Well, in browsing through the forum after getting home, I noticed that this issue has come up quite a bit, with most clearing the code themselves and just taking the cap off and putting it back on again. Can't believe I shelled out $110 for a plastic gas cap.
Lesson learned I guess...
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I notice you're from Denver. I just moved from there. You didn't happen to go to Stevinson Toyota did you?
I bought my 05 a couple years ago and the 2nd day I had it that light came on. This was all before I was on the forums too. So I called them and they told me the same thing, 110 for gascap and everything so i told them to take the car back and refund my moolah and they gave me the gas cap for free  but yes, lesson learned.
Anything goes wrong with your truck, CHECK HERE FIRST!! 
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12-11-2010, 02:28 AM
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#3
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Member
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 50
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A10MileHusker
I notice you're from Denver. I just moved from there. You didn't happen to go to Stevinson Toyota did you?
I bought my 05 a couple years ago and the 2nd day I had it that light came on. This was all before I was on the forums too. So I called them and they told me the same thing, 110 for gascap and everything so i told them to take the car back and refund my moolah and they gave me the gas cap for free but yes, lesson learned.
Anything goes wrong with your truck, CHECK HERE FIRST!! |
I'll definitely be sure to check the forum first next time! I actually didn't go to Stevinson. It was an independent Toyota mechanic (they only work on Toyota, Lexus and Scion). They seem to be a little less than the dealer and came highly recommended...
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12-11-2010, 02:36 AM
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#4
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Antelope Valley, CA
Posts: 331
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Antelope Valley, CA
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Live and learn...I think we've all done something similar. After I paid too much to have a heater core replaced in our Camry I vowed to always research a project when possible - if not to do it myself, but to help negotiate with the mechanic.
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2007 SR5 V6, Nautical Blue, 17in wheels, 35 Tint front, Toyota Hood Shield - Only mods for now.
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12-11-2010, 06:37 AM
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#5
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 125
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 125
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Sorry to hear you just gave away $110. That could have gone to some holiday presents or some other purpose. Yeah I always check here first if I have a problem. That is the purpose of the forum so we can all help each other out and in most cases if the issue is simple you can buy the parts and do it yourself and avoid the stealer altogether. If is a more complicated issue then you can arm yourself with info obtained here so you will know what the problem is when you take it in and they wouldn't be able overcharge you or pull a fast one and fix unnecessary things that don't need replacement.
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12-11-2010, 07:22 AM
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#6
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Port Orange, Fl
Age: 45
Posts: 448
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Port Orange, Fl
Age: 45
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$
it's good you have a "live and learn" attitude about it, it's done, and over with, and now you know, and you can move on, like you said lesson learned, we all have our stories, don't feel you are alone, enjoy your ride!
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12-11-2010, 04:41 PM
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#7
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Phoenix,AZ
Posts: 275
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Phoenix,AZ
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One other thing youll want to do before you pay someone for a code check is Always check your gas cap and Then Disconnect the positive battery cable and let it reset the the computer , Hook it up after about ten minutes ... Anytime you have a light come on do that first. Might save you time n $$$
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12-11-2010, 04:50 PM
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#8
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Banned
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Oklahoma
Age: 55
Posts: 467
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Banned
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Oklahoma
Age: 55
Posts: 467
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Them sweet little Check Engine Lights CEL have just made many Stealer Dealers and many mechanic,s, a bunch of money.  You were lucky they did not also tell you that you needed to replace all the O2 Sensors.
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12-11-2010, 05:18 PM
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#9
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Antelope Valley, CA
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Location: Antelope Valley, CA
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..Other options:
- Auto Zone will do a CEL scan for free
- You can spend some money and get a scanner. You could have bought one with the $110. That's not intended to be a dig.
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2007 SR5 V6, Nautical Blue, 17in wheels, 35 Tint front, Toyota Hood Shield - Only mods for now.
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12-12-2010, 01:50 AM
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#10
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Denver, CO
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Member
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Thanks for all of the responses. Next time, I think I will invest in a code scanner and check the forum before bringing it in. Hopefully someone else can learn from my experience...
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12-12-2010, 10:54 AM
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#11
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: East Coast, Canada
Posts: 104
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Member
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Location: East Coast, Canada
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some of the best money I spent was on an obdii scanner. they work on everything with an obdii port, which is everything since about 96 i believe? get the code, check the forums, repair it myself. that $150 for the scanner has saved me hundreds more...
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2008 Unlimited Rubicon
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12-12-2010, 09:08 PM
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#12
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Havascrew, AZ
Age: 42
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Havascrew, AZ
Age: 42
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I recently got a freak code on my Tacoma. Took it to autozone and had it scanned for free. Possibly an o2 sensor, but could be nothing since it hasn't came back in weeks. I ordered a scanner on Ebay for like $24.
EDIT: Be careful what scanner you buy. The one I ordered said it would work with all 96+ Toyota vehicles, but it does not work with anything over 03.
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1993 4Runner SR5 with the usual stuff. Locked rear with 32x11.50 BFG KM's.
Last edited by Justinlhc; 12-17-2010 at 08:32 PM.
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12-12-2010, 09:34 PM
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#13
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Banned
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Oklahoma
Age: 55
Posts: 467
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Banned
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Oklahoma
Age: 55
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Justinlhc
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I had the CEL light up on my 98 Nissan Maxima, hold on it has just 16,000 miles. I went to Auto Zone for a free check guy told me it's the #1 O2 sensor, got one in stock for $60.
Said I will be back, went home and did a little reseating my gas cap, few days later the light went off all by it's self.
I knew my gas milage was still the same, I use real gas not that junk e-10 soon tpo be e-15. and the engine still had great preformance.
Do you think Auto Zone was out to scam little me?  Oh! No! not sweet Auto Zone.
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12-13-2010, 11:48 AM
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#14
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Junior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Durango, Colorado
Posts: 15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Durango, Colorado
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mattb2003
Thanks for all of the responses. Next time, I think I will invest in a code scanner and check the forum before bringing it in. Hopefully someone else can learn from my experience...
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Yeah, unfortunately, the "gas cap" shuffle has been going on for years and shows no sign of letting up. I think you've gotten some good advice here. Be sure to check here first for any problems or concerns. Chances are that one of us has been through it before...
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'03 4Runner, 4.7L V8, Limited, upgraded JBL sound, Big O Big Foot 265/65/r17's, Ventshade wind guards, OEM bug shield, Thule Adventurer cargo box, Genuine Oriental carpet floor mats.
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12-13-2010, 12:14 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Truckee
Age: 38
Posts: 2,580
Real Name: Chris
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Truckee
Age: 38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teampwr2
One other thing youll want to do before you pay someone for a code check is Always check your gas cap and Then Disconnect the positive battery cable and let it reset the the computer , Hook it up after about ten minutes ... Anytime you have a light come on do that first. Might save you time n $$$
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Been experiencing this situation on and off for the past couple months. The lights would typically turn on after i got gas. After reading some posts i retightened the gas cap and the lights would turn off after a couple engine starts. Recently the light was on far longer than previous times so i decided to take some advice from teampwr2 and others on this site and disconnect the battery. Problem solved...so far. Im keeping my fingers crossed its not something serious like a bad cat or sensors  which others have been experiencing. Thanks for all the advice guys! 
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2007 SE V8
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