Rockets34Life
New member
I have a 2002 4-Runner 2WD SR-5 has 97,000 mi on it.
Well, last Wednesday, I had finished pumping gas and drove off. CEL showed up, which has happened before, but the other 2 lights (VSC Trac and TRAC Off) show up for the 1st time ever.
Thursday morning, after doing some research on the Internet, I was told it could be my gas cap not on tight or a faulty sensor. So I made sure the gas cap was adjusted on with clicks. Then I noticed my driver's side back tire was very low. So I took it to a gas station and pumped air into it. All of a sudden, the light disappeared. So just in case, I took it to Discount Tire and did a tire balance/rotation. That went fine and everything was cool until an hour later, when the lights came back on. I shut off the 4-Runner and restarted it. Lights were still there.
Well, on Friday, I went to Autozone and got the code - P0115.
But after the Autozone guy gave me the code and told me what to do (ECT sensor most likely needs to be replaced or the whole ECM), the lights disappeared again.
So I drove off from there, but I noticed my Cold/Hot gauge increasing all the way to the red spot of Hot. Lights didn't come on even with that gauge there. So I took it home, checked on the coolant container next to the radiator. It was really low. So I filled that up to Full and I let it set overnight.
Well, I was on my way to work and I see no lights this morning, but the Cold/Hot gauge is still at the red spot of Hot. I drove it this whole weekend and it seems like there is no problem, but the Cold/Hot gauge still reads at the red spot of Hot or higher.
What's wrong now?
Does that sensor need to be replaced or do I give it more time to cool down?
And if I have to replace it, is there a way I can replace it without taking it to the dealer or a 3rd party mechanic? Are there instructions for dummies?
Well, last Wednesday, I had finished pumping gas and drove off. CEL showed up, which has happened before, but the other 2 lights (VSC Trac and TRAC Off) show up for the 1st time ever.
Thursday morning, after doing some research on the Internet, I was told it could be my gas cap not on tight or a faulty sensor. So I made sure the gas cap was adjusted on with clicks. Then I noticed my driver's side back tire was very low. So I took it to a gas station and pumped air into it. All of a sudden, the light disappeared. So just in case, I took it to Discount Tire and did a tire balance/rotation. That went fine and everything was cool until an hour later, when the lights came back on. I shut off the 4-Runner and restarted it. Lights were still there.
Well, on Friday, I went to Autozone and got the code - P0115.
But after the Autozone guy gave me the code and told me what to do (ECT sensor most likely needs to be replaced or the whole ECM), the lights disappeared again.
So I drove off from there, but I noticed my Cold/Hot gauge increasing all the way to the red spot of Hot. Lights didn't come on even with that gauge there. So I took it home, checked on the coolant container next to the radiator. It was really low. So I filled that up to Full and I let it set overnight.
Well, I was on my way to work and I see no lights this morning, but the Cold/Hot gauge is still at the red spot of Hot. I drove it this whole weekend and it seems like there is no problem, but the Cold/Hot gauge still reads at the red spot of Hot or higher.
What's wrong now?
Does that sensor need to be replaced or do I give it more time to cool down?
And if I have to replace it, is there a way I can replace it without taking it to the dealer or a 3rd party mechanic? Are there instructions for dummies?
