Disabling check engine light

[pj2006]

I have a problem where my Check Engine, VSC Trac, and squiggly light come on shortly after starting my 4Runner.

I cannot afford to have this fixed whatever the problem is - and there is no apparent problem. The car drives fine.

I need to get a Texas inspection sticker in a few months and they will not issue them if the Check Engine light is on. Anyone know how difficult it is to remove the instrument panel so that I can remove the light bulb? Is there an easier way to get these lights to turn off?

Thanks.

 

[txclimber]

The "fix" you're describing won't work. In order to pass inspection the CEL has to come on when they turn the key on, then it has to go away when they start the vehicle.

If you unplug the CEL or remove bulb or if bulb is just burned out it will fail inspection due to faulty CEL.

Go to Auto-Zone and get the code pulled. Chances are it's not as expensive of a fix as you are assuming. I'd be willing to bet a new gas cap would take care of it. Surely, you can swing $20.

 

[monmendoza]

Have you tried removing the battery for about 5 minutes? My 3rd gen T4R would have the check engine light turn on for no apparent reason. If I remove the battery and re-install it after about 5 minutes, the light would turn-off. The check engine light would be off for about 3-8 months, then the check engine light would again turn on for no apparent reason. when it happens, i remove the battery again.

 

[awdjunkies]

I think every owner/new owner should have a Techstream Diagnostic Too/SW.

It's less than 30 dollars and takes care of and/or lets you know what's going on without having to play the guessing game.

This is the little bugger in question: Toyota Mini VCI Tis Techstream J2534 OBD2 Diagnostic Scanner Software | eBay

OP, As you suggseted, you have a few months before inspection, which is perfect, because you have enough time to order one of these and get it taken care of.

PLUS, It will help you along the way, not just for this one time.

 

[pj2006]

Have you tried removing the battery for about 5 minutes? My 3rd gen T4R would have the check engine light turn on for no apparent reason. If I remove the battery and re-install it after about 5 minutes, the light would turn-off. The check engine light would be off for about 3-8 months, then the check engine light would again turn on for no apparent reason. when it happens, i remove the battery again.

Disconnecting the battery worked. Thanks!

 

[awdjunkies]

Disconnecting the battery worked. Thanks!

Great!!Glad it worked.. hopefully it will remain off.

 

[Kardolf]

I think every owner/new owner should have a Techstream Diagnostic Too/SW.

It's less than 30 dollars and takes care of and/or lets you know what's going on without having to play the guessing game.

This is the little bugger in question: Toyota Mini VCI Tis Techstream J2534 OBD2 Diagnostic Scanner Software | eBay

Not trying to hijack, but does this just read regular OBD2, or does it also read SRS and ABS codes?

 

[awdjunkies]

Not trying to hijack, but does this just read regular OBD2, or does it also read SRS and ABS codes?

Both, but more of the latter.. eace:

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I have a feeling you will fail your inspection anyways.

I doubt they are looking JUST for the MIL to turn on and off, I wouldn't be surprised if they hook a scantool to your vehicle to check for monitors being run. People used to try and pull one over on Smog in CA by just resetting their DTCs, but then they cracked down and if all the monitors haven't run on your vehicle (used to be you could have one that didn't) you fail smog automatically, MIL on or not.

Granted Texas is far looser than CA when it comes to requirements, but I wouldn't be surprised if they started adopting some of the smaller requirements as a sort of "bleeding effect" from the Deluded Hippie Cry Baby Republic of California.

 

[ryanbt]

Texas will fail your inspection if the battery has been disconnected prior to inspection. They will tell you to drive 50-100 miles and come back (This allows all of the T4R's systems to run their system tests and self diagnostics, of which your CEL lights will probably come back on). I would wait for the lights to come back on and go to AutoZone and get the code pulled for free, heck my local Toyota dealer reads them for free as well. As mentioned before it is probably the gas cap. Be sure and get a genuine OEM Toyota gas cap as aftermarket ones tend to cause problems. This happened to me in both my 3rd gen and 4th gen T4Rs, replaced the gas cap drove for a few days and the lights never came back on. $20.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Texas will fail your inspection if the battery has been disconnected prior to inspection. They will tell you to drive 50-100 miles and come back (This allows all of the T4R's systems to run their system tests and self diagnostics, of which your CEL lights will probably come back on). I would wait for the lights to come back on and go to AutoZone and get the code pulled for free, heck my local Toyota dealer reads them for free as well. As mentioned before it is probably the gas cap. Be sure and get a genuine OEM Toyota gas cap as aftermarket ones tend to cause problems. This happened to me in both my 3rd gen and 4th gen T4Rs, replaced the gas cap drove for a few days and the lights never came back on. $20.

This is what I had figured since even the "lax" states seem to be adopting many of California's good and bad habits.

 

[sigepbiker]

The last time my CEL came on with the VSC and TRAC, I pulled the codes from AutoZone and read the manual regarding the VSC and TRAC lights coming on. The codes from AutoZone had nothing to do with the VSC and TRAC lights, so I called the dealership.

They said that when the CEL is on, the other two will come on. "Some people never see the check engine light come on, so Toyota made it that all three lights turn on."

So having three lights is not a bad thing, just more warnings to get your attention.

Go see what AutoZone has to say. They can usually suggest inexpensive options to help fix the problem rather than ordering $150+ parts

 

[homeyclaus]

O2 sensor CEL lights can stay cleared a long time, since all it takes is two out-of-range readings for it to come on and stay on. Often, O2 sensor codes are caused by water in the connectors, or just one that's a bit loose, so re-seating them is step 2. Only after that is it worth replacing one.

On other cars, TRAC and ABS lights coming on with a CEL signals something with the ABS. Again, checking the wiring plugs first is cheapest and easiest.

 

[pj2006]

Texas will fail your inspection if the battery has been disconnected prior to inspection. They will tell you to drive 50-100 miles and come back (This allows all of the T4R's systems to run their system tests and self diagnostics, of which your CEL lights will probably come back on). I would wait for the lights to come back on and go to AutoZone and get the code pulled for free, heck my local Toyota dealer reads them for free as well. As mentioned before it is probably the gas cap. Be sure and get a genuine OEM Toyota gas cap as aftermarket ones tend to cause problems. This happened to me in both my 3rd gen and 4th gen T4Rs, replaced the gas cap drove for a few days and the lights never came back on. $20.

200 miles later and the lights are still off. Must have been some kind of computer fault.

 

[gshadow325]

I think every owner/new owner should have a Techstream Diagnostic Too/SW.

It's less than 30 dollars and takes care of and/or lets you know what's going on without having to play the guessing game.

This is the little bugger in question: Toyota Mini VCI Tis Techstream J2534 OBD2 Diagnostic Scanner Software | eBay

OP, As you suggseted, you have a few months before inspection, which is perfect, because you have enough time to order one of these and get it taken care of.

PLUS, It will help you along the way, not just for this one time.

I approve of this message lol

 

[preacher35]

200 miles later and the lights are still off. Must have been some kind of computer fault.

If your check engine light comes back on, get someone to check which code/s it is throwing. If you cannot find someone to check for free, I've got a guy here in Friendswood, who will check for codes, free of charge. He is also, RIDICULOUSLY affordable and warranties his work, should you require any. I do most of my own repairs, but I use him, from time to time, when I do not have time to do it myself, or the repair is out of my league (which is rare). Regardless, if your truck does throw codes, the odds are, IT WILL NOT PASS Texas inspection.

 

[pj2006]

200 miles later and the lights are still off. Must have been some kind of computer fault.

Wouldn't ya know it, several hours after making that post the damn lights went back on.

PO430 was the code - not good. No gas cap is going to fix that. $1,100 and a new exhaust manifold/cat later and the lights are off. At least now I can get my inspection sticker. :frusty:

This all happens within 8000 miles of the emission warranty expiring. Has anyone had luck writing to Toyota corporate customer care when issues like this happen? I'd like to buy another Toyota when the time comes, but this was a pricey and premature fix. I think they'll need to do something for me if I am going to seriously consider remaining a loyal customer.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I don't have any personal experience dealing with the customer side of making a claim like that. But you may be able get them to honor it, I can't really say one way or another.

That sucks, I'm sorry to hear that. I don't mean to kick you while you're down. But did the shop/dealer that diagnosed your P0430 do testing on the vehicle to determine that the AFR & O2 Sensors were not the cause? I know typically with Toyota is seems that while sensors seem to fix it sometimes, they tend to be pretty accurate on the DTC from what I have been seeing lately at work and on the forum, but I would hate it if you got bullied into a $1100 repair when maybe the sensors may have been the issue.