check engine light, high idle, light shaking??

[lindseymarie]

so i just bought this '97 4runner about a month ago, last time i drove the car it was totally fine, got back in it about 5 hours later and it was shaking just a little, got down the road and the idle was at about 2000, pulled over and turned car off, turned back on and pulled out when the check engine light came on? ive looked up and googled myself to death, asked about everyone i know trying to get a little bit of information on what it may be? easily fixed or am i going to be putting more money then i should in my "new" car. BTW, i know nothing about cars, at all lol so break it down to me as simply as possible

 

[ironhippy]

the check engine light will have a code associated it and you need to get that code read before anyone can reasonably guess at a problem. I believe autozone and those types of places will check the code for you for free, normally mechanics charge a diagnostic fee if you get them to read it. You can read it yourself, but it requires a special device called an ODII scanner.

Unless someone else has experience with your specific symptoms, a code is needed to narrow down the problem.

Just as a note, although these trucks are very reliable, you can't buy a "new" 14 year old truck and not expect to put money into maintenance.

 

[fourwd1]

Go to an auto parts store, get the codes read, and post the results.

 

[TC4Rnr]

Go to an auto parts store, get the codes read, and post the results.

don't think you can do that in Kurlyfornia, if that's where the OP is .

 

[t4r4life]

don't think you can do that in Kurlyfornia, if that's where the OP is .

pepboy does it