1994 SR5 *Weird* Check Engine Light Notification

M

MichiganFan82

New member
Hello all,

I am somewhat new to the forums as I am to the toyota 4runner. I just purchased a 94 4runner SR5 recently and something odd is happening.

It seems as though when I get to about the 1/4 gas tank level. The check engine light comes on. Anyone had this problem before or have any suggestions? I have not had time to get it hooked up so that detector thing that tells what the error code is.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
 
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I took it to the local shop and the hooked up that device to figure out why the light was on. When he did it, he said nothing was coming up and was puzzled to why the light was on. He suggest to maybe reset the warning lights on the dash because it is an error. The truck is running fine but having the light on stresses me out. Anyone had this happen or have a suggestion?
 
Apparently my 1994 4runner is too old for Autozone/Checker Auto/etc to check with their diagnostic tools. So I made an appointment with the local dealership for this Thurs. Its going be $80 to check! Which sucks because I am a very poor college kid. Anyone have any last second advice? Please and thanks.
 
MichiganFan82 said:
Apparently my 1994 4runner is too old for Autozone/Checker Auto/etc to check with their diagnostic tools. So I made an appointment with the local dealership for this Thurs. Its going be $80 to check! Which sucks because I am a very poor college kid. Anyone have any last second advice? Please and thanks.
Click to expand...

I provided links and detailed info to pull the ECU codes yourself for free.

Sidney
 
Wow. Signing up for these forums is the best thing I have ever done. What a nifty little trick with the paper clip is.


Here is what the check engine light did once I did the paper clip.

The CEL flashed 7 times, each about a little more than a second, then there was a long pause of about 3-4 seconds and it flashed once.

Then repeated the cycle. I am a little confused on how to read these signals, but I think what it is saying is error code (71). Which this website (http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/codes/index.html)
says its the following:

EGR VALVE MALFUNCTION--EXHAUST GAS TEMPEATURE BELOW SPEC. FOR EGR CONTROL

--EGR SYSTEM

--EGR GAS TEMPERATURE SENSOR/CIRCUIT

Any advice?

UPDATE: After doing some research, Seafoam is recommended as a possible quick easy fix to the problem. I suppose I could try that.

I do not know if it matters or anything but I reside in MN and it has been close to or around 0 degrees F over these winter months....I don't believe we have emission testing for vehicles anymore either.
 
Last edited:
i ran the code and i got a 71 code i looked it up and this is what i got

Diagnosis
EGR gas temp below predetermined level during EGR operation.
Open circuit in EGR gas temp sensor signal (THG).

Trouble Area
EGR system (EGR valve, EGR hose etc.)
EGR gas temp sensor circuit
EGR gas temp sensor
VSV for EGR circuit
VSV for EGR
ECU



how do i start checcking these to find out whats wrong.
 
Hope this helps.
 

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I have had cel for code 71 for 6 months and if your broke your best bet may be blocking it off and putting resistor in the electrical plug.

Replacing anything on egr is spendy and you dont even know if it will guaranteed fix it.

But the first thing i would do is look on your hood (bottom side) there is a hose guide and check all your vacuum hoses to make sure they are hooked up right and check for brittle hoses that may be leaking.
 
im trying to trace these vacuum hoses and i get incredibly lost... does anyone have a picture of where the egr valve and the egr vacuum modulator would be on a 94 3.0?
 
Thank you for the images. I have a 95' and after replacing the Valve Cover Gasket, I too got the 71 code. After doing a vacuum test on the EGR Valve and checking the filter on the modulator and checking all the hoses for cracks, I couldn't figure out the problem. This drawing helped me to figure out that the hose with the Check Valve was plugged in wrong. CEL is gone and I don't worry... I'm sitting on top of the word! :) Thanks guys
 
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