Malfunction Indicator lamp + engine vibrating

[rickinphx]

I have a 1998 4runner. My Malfunction Indicator Lamp came on tonight. Not sure if it is related to the rebuilt transmission I had done a few months back or to the bad idler arm I have. It also vibrates a lot when driving and in gear but not when in park or neutral. I’ve been told the vibration could be related to motor mounts. I leery about the rebuilt transmission since I had to take it back after I got it and they replaced the rebuilt clutch they put on. I’ve put about $2,500 into it the last few months and was hoping to nurse it along until I had more money. LOL, but probably not. Any thoughts about the lamp or any of my issues?
Thanks, Rick

 

[steezemcqueen]

You need to get the code read. Not much we can tell you without doing that first. Most auto parts stores will read the check engine codes for free.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Ditto.

Pep Boys will tell you the code for free. Write them down and report back

 

[rickinphx]

Thanks for the post, I am taking it into the shop tomorrow morning. I will let you know.
Rick

 

[rickinphx]

Mechanic states evap system

My mechanic at the service station stated that the Malfunction engine light pertains to the evap system. I guess there is some type of leak from the engine to the gas tank. The only way he can find the leak is to use a smoker. The smoker will send smoke through the evap system and then they can find the leak. I hope I paraphrase what he told me right. He didn’t charge me anything and said it wouldn’t cost that much to fix unless there is a leak in the gas tank. I’m taking it to the shop on Saturday and he will do that before he replaces the rack & pinion for $750. If I had any mechanical skills I would try to do it myself but that’s not one of my set of skills LOL. If it was repairing a computer, that would be a different story. Any thoughts concerning anything else I should have him check? Thanks in advance to anyone who responds to this post.

Rick

 

[fourwd1]

Let us know how it turns out.
Problems with the evap system are usually just a bad vac line, could even be as simple as as a bad gasket on the gas cap.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Pep Boys will tell you the code for free. Write them down and report back

My mechanic at the service station stated that the Malfunction engine light pertains to the evap system. I guess there is some type of leak from the engine to the gas tank

no offense but WHY didn't you have him write down the code and then you could post it here with your question? Now when you go back you will have no way of knowing if you are getting screwed.

Just an FYI you can post that code in the forum search or just google the code plus 4Runner.

The code could actually be for something simple and he may charge $500 (perfectly legal btw); it is only by validating ... eg using the forum or google ... that you can somehow confirm what is going on.

..

That would really have been key to getting this type of crowd sourced help.