A little help for a newby...check engine light.

[fjfar80]

I just purchased a 1997 FZJ80 Collector's Edition on Sunday with 94,xxx miles on it. I drove it back to Memphis yesterday (750+ miles) and had no issues. Today, the check engine light came on and it feels like there is a small bang in the rear when I come to a stop. I first thought it was the transmission drop shifting into 1st rather roughly, but I ruled that out after about 20 start stops. I am thinking it may have something to do with the rear differential. Any ideas? As far as the check engine light...no ideas at all everything is running smooth, cold air, good fluids, etc. As, I just purchased it yesterday I haven't had time to procure literature, dig-in, tear it apart and figure it out. Any general ideas would help? Feel free to haze. Looking forward to building this truck up over the next 24 months.

 

[Capocaccia]

Ive never heard of that before but I would say check out the transmission more and then maybe rear shocks? But welcome to the forum, Im located in Memphis too. Germantown to be exact.

 

[MLX450]

Have your OBDII (On Board Diagnostics) scanned for a fault code. As for the bang ... more info would help.

 

[Romer]

Lots of auto parts stores will read the code for free.

Have them read the code, and post up what it is.

Have them clear it so if it comes back we will know if it is a one time error or more frequent.

On the bang. Take a look in the FAQ in the Maintenance section. Check out the thread on PM for driveshafts and see if your bang is like the clunk described there. If it is, the solution is posted there as well.

 

[Gieser]

On you "Banging" noise, does it happen when you start and stop. I am going way out on a limb here, but a friend of mine had a similar problem with his cruiser. When he brought it over to me to check it out...the tire winch was loose. He did not recognize it bacause it did not sway when under the cruiser, but it was loose enough to knock around pretty good when starting and stopping. I know, it's a long shot, but maybe worth a look and feel.

I am also in Memphis right on the Memphis/Germantown border

 

[Grench]

Common things I found out with 3 used TLC purchases.

1. Pull the wheels and check the brakes.
2. Drop the spare & oil the chain.
3. While the spare is down, check the tire pressure. The last TLC I bought came home with 15-20 psi in all 5 tires.
4. Most of these that we're all after/buying are soccer mom mobiles. If Jiffy Lube didn't check it, it wasn't checked. Check all fluids.
5. Re-connect the swing down cams that lock in the 3rd row seats, adjust the carpet, and put them down securely. If the seats are up on the windows and loose, or even down but laying loose, they can knock at weird moments.
6. Stand on the back bumper's step and pump your legs up and down. If you can make the truck bounce, replace the shocks. Repeat on the front bumper over the frame attachment point. If you slip and crack your skull doing this, you're on your own.
7. Change the air filter, oil filter. Use Toyota or Wicks. (I like Wicks, others like Toyota.) Now you know when they were changed last.
8. If some dumb@#$% put those nifty locking lug nuts on the wheels, order 4 new lugs to match the types of lug nuts on your truck (there are at least two types of lug nuts for the factory wheels). They're cheap. Order a couple of spares. Then replace those things as soon as possible with factory lug nuts that won't sheer off and leave you with a flat and no way to remove it because the flower in the key socket sheered off and its 110F outside... On the one I just bought I got the front two off and changed in my driveway. I sheered the flower out of the key socket on the first of the back wheels. I re-torqued the rest and left it there for tonight. Yep. Did that tonight.
9. Check the belts & the visible hoses. If any look old, change them all. Change the thermostat while you're there.
10. If you have over 90,000 miles on a '93-97, at least check the PHH. IF it weren't such a PITA, I'd suggest just changing it. I changed mine before I knew it was called the 'PHH'. I have a sense of accomplishment about that.

Anyway, I've had my latest purchase for a month and a half and I've made it halfway through #8.

Pay attention here. I've learned so much in the last 2 weeks that I've been here... Its amazing what these other guys know about these trucks. For every thing I scratched my head about and eventually figured out, there are a dozen people on here who have already done it.

I've learned the above by trial and error. Mostly error and, "WTF was that?" YMMV.

Now watch, someone already has a list with all of the above and will post the link to a 2,000 message conversation about it. This is such a cool forum.

Good luck and welcome to the world of Land Cruiser ownership. You're in for a fun ride!

Grench

 

[MTNRAT]

Read baby read. I had a bang that I traced to a worn pan hard rod bushing and bolt. Likely rare as mine was the first for that that I know of.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[fjfar80]

Sweet information...

Guys, thanks for the information. I am going to take it today or tomorrow to get the diagnostic code for the engine light and I will post that as soon as I know. I already have a huge list of to-do's and I think I got about another half dozen or so to add to the list. The "banging" does not appear to happen at all when I am starting, accelerating, or braking. It only occurs when I actually come to a stop. Literally the last few seconds before I come to a stop. I do need to replace all the shocks, I am planning on putting on an EMU heavy suspension...I think it ends up being a 1.5" lift...from SLEE. In regards to brakes, do you guys recommend Brembo or Powerstop...I was thinking about going with slotted to help keep them cool. I'll keep you guys posted as soon as I know something on the code and I will keep trying to figure out the "Banging". Thanks again for all the information and I look forward to working, chatting and building with you guys.

 

[fjfar80]

Romer, How do I get to the FAQ section you were describing, I tried to search throuugh the FAQ but, no juice...

 

[Romer]

FAQ is at the top of the screen.
The section I was talking about is in the Maintenance section, Post #6 of the FAQ

The post I was talking about, I had renamed and forgot (Sorry I'm old and underpaid): Here is the correct title:

Drivetrain Maintenance, Issues and Troubleshooting

here is the link: https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=80904

 

[MTNRAT]

I am running slees drilled and slotted rotors with toyota pads. Work great.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[fjfar80]

Romer - thanks for the information and the link, sounds similar, I will have to give these things a try.
MTNRAT - That is exactly the setup I was thinking of...I am glad to hear that it works well. Where did you get your supercharger?

 

[Mike S]

fjfar80

You will find that, with few exceptions, there is a strong preference for Toyota OEM parts here. They work out well with no surprises, and we can buy them at good prices from a couple of vendors here.

M

 

[1FZE Champ]

Common things I found out with 3 used TLC purchases.

1. Pull the wheels and check the brakes.
2. Drop the spare & oil the chain.
3. While the spare is down, check the tire pressure. The last TLC I bought came home with 15-20 psi in all 5 tires.
4. Most of these that we're all after/buying are soccer mom mobiles. If Jiffy Lube didn't check it, it wasn't checked. Check all fluids.
5. Re-connect the swing down cams that lock in the 3rd row seats, adjust the carpet, and put them down securely. If the seats are up on the windows and loose, or even down but laying loose, they can knock at weird moments.
6. Stand on the back bumper's step and pump your legs up and down. If you can make the truck bounce, replace the shocks. Repeat on the front bumper over the frame attachment point. If you slip and crack your skull doing this, you're on your own.
7. Change the air filter, oil filter. Use Toyota or Wicks. (I like Wicks, others like Toyota.) Now you know when they were changed last.
8. If some dumb@#$% put those nifty locking lug nuts on the wheels, order 4 new lugs to match the types of lug nuts on your truck (there are at least two types of lug nuts for the factory wheels). They're cheap. Order a couple of spares. Then replace those things as soon as possible with factory lug nuts that won't sheer off and leave you with a flat and no way to remove it because the flower in the key socket sheered off and its 110F outside... On the one I just bought I got the front two off and changed in my driveway. I sheered the flower out of the key socket on the first of the back wheels. I re-torqued the rest and left it there for tonight. Yep. Did that tonight.
9. Check the belts & the visible hoses. If any look old, change them all. Change the thermostat while you're there.
10. If you have over 90,000 miles on a '93-97, at least check the PHH. IF it weren't such a PITA, I'd suggest just changing it. I changed mine before I knew it was called the 'PHH'. I have a sense of accomplishment about that.

Anyway, I've had my latest purchase for a month and a half and I've made it halfway through #8.

Pay attention here. I've learned so much in the last 2 weeks that I've been here... Its amazing what these other guys know about these trucks. For every thing I scratched my head about and eventually figured out, there are a dozen people on here who have already done it.

I've learned the above by trial and error. Mostly error and, "WTF was that?" YMMV.

Now watch, someone already has a list with all of the above and will post the link to a 2,000 message conversation about it. This is such a cool forum.

Good luck and welcome to the world of Land Cruiser ownership. You're in for a fun ride!

Grench

Great checklist.

I would check that spare tire. and sometimes that check engine light will trip with the MAF sensor which happens often with mine. another thing that happened with the check light was that I had a sensor go out on the engine, not often to happen, but when i reset it, it would come back, but nothing was wrong with the car. good luck.

Russ