check engine light

[dano82]

hey guys i was out getting some groceries and half way back my check engine light just came on what does that mean and how do i fix it?
i have a 1997 fzj80
thanks for any help or advice...

 

[harper68]

Possible O2 sensors had the same problem with mine until I changed them. Check the codes if you can.

 

[dano82]

how do you check the codes im not very mechanical

 

[MLX450]

Have it scanned at a Autozone if you don't have an OBD2 Scanner.

 

[dano82]

ill take it to the shop tomorw ...do you think its still safe to drive?

 

[Beowulf]

ill take it to the shop tomorw ...do you think its still safe to drive?

Yes, it will be safe to drive tomorrow.

-B-

 

[dano82]

will it be safe to drive for a while ...like a week untill i can afford to drive it to the shop
or is there anythign i can do in the mean to to try and fix it

 

[MLX450]

You have to find out what is wrong 1st by getting the code.

 

[dano82]

so then i shouild take it to the shop asap ....then go form there eh
how long does it take to scan the truck

 

[GeoRoss]

will it be safe to drive for a while ...like a week untill i can afford to drive it to the shop
or is there anythign i can do in the mean to to try and fix it

You cannot fix it until you know what is wrong. You can cover the light with electrical tape and that will temporarily "fix" the problem.

Go to Autozone and have the code read. Until that happens, there is no way to fix it as nobody knows what the problem is.

Most Autozones are open till 9pm, do it on your way home from work tomorrow and then do a search on the code. Most likely there is a ton of information on what ever code it is. It has been mentioned before, but they do it for free. The only cost is the gas to drive there.

 

[dano82]

yeha thanks man .....i wish i had an autozone here ...all i have her eis a lordco , napa, canadian tire and like half a dozen mechanics shops
what do you think a mech shop will charge

 

[Beowulf]

**** Proving that -B- is in fact, omnipotent ****

dano,
You have a P0401 code. Replace the EGR modulator, clear the code, and it will go away for a short time, maybe a long time.

( ... running joke from another thread ... )

-B-

 

[dano82]

ahh jokes eh ...so then i don thave to replace the egr modulator...i guess i ll just take it to the shop and see what they say ..in the mean time im off to bedd good night and thanks for all guys....ill give yo uguys an update after i take it to the shop..

 

[sea2skydad]

Hi Dan, Noel at Newport Auto is the guy I deal with in town, if I can't do it myself. He will charge you $50 to pull the code. I bought a cheap code reader, but haven't used it yet, so we can give it a whirl if you like. Looks like more rain and I don't think we're going away for the long weekend, so call me.

 

[Atticus]

Hi Dan, Noel at Newport Auto is the guy I deal with in town, if I can't do it myself. He will charge you $50 to pull the code. I bought a cheap code reader, but haven't used it yet, so we can give it a whirl if you like. Looks like more rain and I don't think we're going away for the long weekend, so call me.

I wish I charged 50 bucks for one minute's work. What a rip-off.

 

[MLX450]

Just buy a OBD2 code reader. It will pay for itself!

 

[Filter]

Hey dano, you can get an odb2 reader at Canadian Tire or a cheaper one at Princess Auto, it is extremely easy to read the code yourself. It will pay for itself with, perhaps, one use.

 

[Eduardo96FZJ80]

**** Proving that -B- is in fact, omnipotent ****

dano,
You have a P0401 code. Replace the EGR modulator, clear the code, and it will go away for a short time, maybe a long time.

( ... running joke from another thread ... )

-B-

I'm going with a PO401 also

 

[dano82]

thanks Greg ....ill give you a shout on saturday sometime and well talk then ok .

 

[Curran]

I'm going to bet that Dano82's muffler bearings need to be replaced. They are the most overlooked maintenance item on an 80. But don't worry, IIRC there is a good thread on how to replace them.