Driving With Check Engine Light?

Bigmikelakers

Bigmikelakers

New member
Just pulled up to my house earlier today and I noticed my check engine light is on. Went over to Autozone and the guy told me they dont check codes for check engine lights in California stores (I hope he wasnt full of bs). The truck drives the same way before the light came on. No problems that I have noticed. Do you think it would be safe to drive 20 miles with the light on? Tomorrow I have finals at school and my mechanic is out that way too so I'll have him check it.
 
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Bigmikelakers said:
Just pulled up to my house earlier today and I noticed my check engine light is on. Went over to Autozone and the guy told me they dont check codes for check engine lights in California stores (I hope he wasnt full of bs). The truck drives the same way before the light came on. No problems that I have noticed. Do you think it would be safe to drive 20 miles with the light on? Tomorrow I have finals at school and my mechanic is out that way too so I'll have him check it.
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Uhh I know they check them in Texas and I'm sure the commercials aren't state specific because they say something along the lines of "come in we will check your check engine light for free"
 
I would check the engine oil before driving. If it is fine....

Drive it. When it comes on full, it means that something is out of spec. When it flashes, GET TAKEN CARE OF IMMEDIATELY!
 
Wouldn't surprise me if the CA legislature says only repair shops can check codes. But I have no knowledge of anything legitimate.....

If the engine is running fine, it shouldn't hurt to run with the CEL on. Now, if the light is flashing that means you have a misfire on 1 or more of the cylinders and you could cause more serious damage by continued operation.
 
opie74 said:
Wouldn't surprise me if the CA legislature says only repair shops can check codes. But I have no knowledge of anything legitimate.....
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Yeah the guy said that they have to be certified by the state to check the engine light and the company (autozone) doesn't want to pay for their employees to be certified.

Thanks for the input guys, I just wanted to double check. I'm gonna check the oil and tranny fluid to play it safe.
 
Try another store, maybe O'Reilly.. I drove mine almost 800 miles home one Sunday with the light on. The O2 sensor heater died, but the rig ran fine, didn't even change the gas mileage. However, there are certainly some failures that are not so forgiving. Did you check the gas cap?
 
That's a ridiculous rule, on par with not being able to pump your own gas in NJ.

Just a shot in the dark without knowing the code, but low transmission fluid can cause it to come on. I had that happen when I filled it with the front wheels on ramps (not level).
 
Depends on what code it reads honestly. Mine comes and goes randomly thanks to the beloved charcoal canister Toyota decided to install.

Try disconnecting your battery to reset your ECM and see if it goes away.
 
Check all that people suggested above. If the light flashing don't drive it. If it's steady don't worry. Drove mine almost a year as it was the 02 sensor. I replaced one and then the other one blew.
 
Bigmikelakers said:
Just had my mechanic check and its my fuel sensor...
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You're lucky my friend. My engine light came on for a short period yesterday while on the way home (50 miles on highway). I just happened to look down at the right time to see it turn off.

I put it in the shop when I got home and told them to do the 90k check-up and to check the engine light.

Long story short... 2.5k bill. Had a bunch of stuff that needed work. I paid it and will use the documentation when I sell it in a few months. Gonna get a 4wd Sports Edition for myself.

v/r
Ironback
 
Yeah, I'm thinking of selling mine next year and possibly upgrade to a lower mileage 05-07 4th gen. My mileage is getting up there and these little sensors and other minor things will start messing up more and more and I don't want to keep putting money into these things as I'm only a student.
 
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