Warning light surprise

[04SR54me]

I'm driving my car, minding my own business.....then the check engine light goes on, the VSC light and track off light. Car seems to be running fine. My question is, where do i begin?
I don't have an OBD scanner, but i guess i could run it to an auto parts store to run the codes.
What is the best course of action. Car had 270K, SR5 V/6, and the best vehicle I've ever owned.

As a side note, anyone have any suggestions on a good scanner that isn't real expensive and not overly complicated. Thanks.

 

[04SR54me]

follow up

I searched the forum and saw the Blackworks response. very good. So, I'll get the OBD scan and report back. Thanks.

 

[MikeinNH67]

Yep, need the code. At this age, probably the most common is p0420 or p0430 which are catalyst efficiency codes but it could be almost anything. I have 430 on my truck right now. Seems to set more constantly on winter fuel.

 

[04SR54me]

warning light surprise update

I snooped around youtube and read some of the comments. the gas cap problem came up and i had that with my wife's highlander. Then another person posted they still got the warning lights, but disconnected the battery, reconnected and it was all fine.
So, i cleaned the cap, lubed the o-ring, wiped out the filler neck threaded area and tried it. Still showing up. Disconnected the negative lead off battery, waited about 5-10 minutes, restarted. All clear.
Drove about an hour and still looks good. So, hopefully all is well. Ordering a new gas cap from toyota to be sure.

 

[04SR54me]

Warning lights are back

Too good to be true I guess. Bought an affordable scanner, code P0174. Cleaned MAF sensor, inspected hoses and air filter. I'm going to replace the upstream O2 sensors. I've only replaced one since i bought the car new in Dec. 2003. Toyota wanted over 250 each! I bought Denso part # 2349047 for under $120 each from Rock Auto. I got the part number directly from Denso. So, we'll see how it goes. Should I use anything on the threads, like anti-seize? And secondly, will i damage the car if i drive it for before the parts come in.
Thanks all.

 

[gaber6]

New sensors come with a dab of antitisieze already on them. Go ahead and squirt some wd40 on the old ones before you go to bed each night for a couple days. That'll make life easy.
Rent the O2 wrench kit from AutoZone for free to make life easy and get a couple bandaids for your knuckles as you smack some metal while disconnecting the sensors.

 

[04SR54me]

warninglight surprise

Thank you!

 

[ArthurKotb]

I'm driving my car, minding my own business.....then the check engine light goes on, the VSC light and track off light. Car seems to be running fine

I cashed in a CD at the bank yesterday and as I was leaving the parking lot those very same lights came up on my 2004. I guess the car figures "hey! you got money now...." :heh:

I'm taking mine to the shop next week. My son has a 2006 V8 and he said it was the wheel speed sensor and repair was $550.

 

[Ralph Blake]

The check engine light came on my 2008 SR5 4Runner also got a flashing anti skid light, my truck was running fine i found a code reader at Walmart it's a Hyper Tough OBD-II/EOBD cost around $20 US i used it to clear a code telling me my gas cap was not tight i then put some grease on the gas caps O' ring and cleared the codes and check engine light and anti skid flashing light was gone.

What i think is TOYOTO has the check engine light and the flashing anti skid light come on when a gas cap is needing a good twist to get tight/ their trying to send people to their stealer dealers service Dept. where you surly will not just be told to tighten the gas cap, there going to tell you that a full diagnostic check is needed and i am betting when you get the report it will say you need maybe if lucky $800 dollars of work to get you safely back on the street.

Same thing if you go to any Auto Zone for a "free" check engine light code read, can't tell you how many have been sold hundreds of dollars of items not needed by the helpful Auto Zone sales people.:reddance: