Apologies if this sounds like I'm venting regarding a subject that I think most of us have participated at some point owning a Land Cruiser, in my case a 2005 100.
In an effort to finally get to the CEL issue that's been bothering me over the past year, I thought to use a bit of time I have from work in the last few days of the year to hopefully resolve this but to no avail. The code has always been the P0430 which we know what that is, but having talked to Magnaflow, Walker and AP/Eastern Emissions regarding aftermarket Cat, most of them took the time to patiently explain (and I'm greatful) what may be causing that code and not necessarily mean that the Cat needs to be replaced. After taking the car to multiple shops based on great reviews including an exhaust specialist who recommended to just replace the Cat with a direct fit after checking there's no exhaust leak.
Magnaflow actually told me that I had to stick with a CA compliant aftermarket direct fit since the car was originally from CA and no matter where the truck goes even a state without emission control. But other aftermarket CAT manufacturers told me that's bogus.
I went back to my trusted mechanic and he told me there's also a pending code of P0456, which I also read lots of threads here regarding the tiny EVAP leak, I'm in need of some suggestions. My mechanic suggested replacing the pair of O2 sensors on bank 2 since the current passenger side Cat seems to be operating fine (aftermarket), Bank 1 is OEM). So yesterday a pair of O2 sensors were installed, he reprogrammed via TechStream, cleared the code and made me aware of the EVAP leak which is about $1000 OEM parts and labor, while letting me know that the light may come back on in a few months but otherwise the truck is completely good shape to drive, even cross country without any issues. Well, of course, the lights came back on before I even got home in the 30 trip back! I feel like I just about had it.
We know the TRAC OFF and VSC lights always accompany the CEL, does anyone know if the if Trac and VSC are actually turned off whenever the CEL is on or is that just a default setting to get driver's attention but they remain active?
At this point, I'm contemplating which of the two, new Cat (not going OEM due to cost) or Evap canister should be the priority since both are big ticket items? Will this finally solve the issue? Until I find another mechanic who has the time and willing to stay focused and keep looking for the source (this is hard to find since most of them are not interested in tinkering with a car that drives just fine other the CEL). I'm tempted to just placing black tape over the dash and not seeing the lights. Not sure if dropping $2K is worth clearing the lights at this point unless and when I'm considering selling the truck.
By the way, I'm not even sure if this is related when the mechanic reprogrammed the computer, now my radio does not recognize the AM/SAT setting which I had my BT45 Bluetooth set to, it worked fine before I brought in the truck, now I can't even get to SAT setting, only AM. So after spending the money on two new O2's, not just the CEL came back on, but now I lost the Bluetooth function on radio.
In an effort to finally get to the CEL issue that's been bothering me over the past year, I thought to use a bit of time I have from work in the last few days of the year to hopefully resolve this but to no avail. The code has always been the P0430 which we know what that is, but having talked to Magnaflow, Walker and AP/Eastern Emissions regarding aftermarket Cat, most of them took the time to patiently explain (and I'm greatful) what may be causing that code and not necessarily mean that the Cat needs to be replaced. After taking the car to multiple shops based on great reviews including an exhaust specialist who recommended to just replace the Cat with a direct fit after checking there's no exhaust leak.
Magnaflow actually told me that I had to stick with a CA compliant aftermarket direct fit since the car was originally from CA and no matter where the truck goes even a state without emission control. But other aftermarket CAT manufacturers told me that's bogus.
I went back to my trusted mechanic and he told me there's also a pending code of P0456, which I also read lots of threads here regarding the tiny EVAP leak, I'm in need of some suggestions. My mechanic suggested replacing the pair of O2 sensors on bank 2 since the current passenger side Cat seems to be operating fine (aftermarket), Bank 1 is OEM). So yesterday a pair of O2 sensors were installed, he reprogrammed via TechStream, cleared the code and made me aware of the EVAP leak which is about $1000 OEM parts and labor, while letting me know that the light may come back on in a few months but otherwise the truck is completely good shape to drive, even cross country without any issues. Well, of course, the lights came back on before I even got home in the 30 trip back! I feel like I just about had it.
We know the TRAC OFF and VSC lights always accompany the CEL, does anyone know if the if Trac and VSC are actually turned off whenever the CEL is on or is that just a default setting to get driver's attention but they remain active?
At this point, I'm contemplating which of the two, new Cat (not going OEM due to cost) or Evap canister should be the priority since both are big ticket items? Will this finally solve the issue? Until I find another mechanic who has the time and willing to stay focused and keep looking for the source (this is hard to find since most of them are not interested in tinkering with a car that drives just fine other the CEL). I'm tempted to just placing black tape over the dash and not seeing the lights. Not sure if dropping $2K is worth clearing the lights at this point unless and when I'm considering selling the truck.
By the way, I'm not even sure if this is related when the mechanic reprogrammed the computer, now my radio does not recognize the AM/SAT setting which I had my BT45 Bluetooth set to, it worked fine before I brought in the truck, now I can't even get to SAT setting, only AM. So after spending the money on two new O2's, not just the CEL came back on, but now I lost the Bluetooth function on radio.
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