My pop in Maine has a 96 LC with 121k on it. Since about 100k he has been having trouble with an intermittent check engine light coming on. At first it was under heavy acceleration (my old 91 trooper used to do the same thing). Now it comes on during regularly and needs to be "reset" by the garage he takes it to. The mech he takes it to has some $120 part on order. Guess he is getting tired of reseting it? He is not a regular LC guy, so I wanted to get your input and make sure my Dad isn't going in the wrong direction or even if it something a rookie like me can fix when I head back east for xmas. I appreciate the info.
Check Engine Light (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter willmaxr
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what's the code he's getting?
willmaxr said:
For $40, get a HF code reader and check it yourself. That way the mech won't get upset
and you'll know what it really says, rather than some BS the mech may give you. Maybe I haven't had the best of luck with mechanics, but I don't trust them as far as I can throw my truck. Let alone the number of mechs qualified to work on these trucks.
- Thread starter
- #8
AZcruiser said:
Pops not the most mechanically inclined person in the world. Just smart enough to have owned a 40 and now an 80 series. This guy does a lot for him for pretty resonable rates. Now that the mech had ordered a part he doesn't want to call for the code and make him feel like he is questioning him (which i am). Pops a older grandpa now do give you some prespective.
I'll be out there in a couple weeks and head down the road and pull it myself. I thank eveyone for the replies.
Where in MN are you? If you are near the Twin Cities and have access to a laptop, you can borrow my OBDII scan tool.. Let me know...
I would guess the O2 sensor. Two years ago, my '95 was doing the same thing. I bought a scanner, and it was the O2 sensor. You really need a scanner to see which one is the bad one, since there are two. Could be other sensor(s) too.
HF sells a $40 OBDII code reader that is able to pull the codes and even clear the ECU if you want it to. For that much dough, it's an okay deal. But that's the limit of it's usefullness. If you want to see and/or do more, you'll need some type of scanner.
I have the Harrison R&D scanner that -B- referred to earlier. I can use it with my Palm, or a laptop, and since I have both, the Harrison interface was fine for my needs. For about $200, this was a good deal. This unit, as do almost all scanners, allows you to check quite a number of items as well as download real-time data for several variables at once. But as -B- noted, this is an interface and software only...you have to supply the PDA or laptop.
If all you will ever do is get the code and ruminate over it, then the HF is fine. But if you plan to fix things yourself, IMO you'll want a scanner at some point.
I have the Harrison R&D scanner that -B- referred to earlier. I can use it with my Palm, or a laptop, and since I have both, the Harrison interface was fine for my needs. For about $200, this was a good deal. This unit, as do almost all scanners, allows you to check quite a number of items as well as download real-time data for several variables at once. But as -B- noted, this is an interface and software only...you have to supply the PDA or laptop.
If all you will ever do is get the code and ruminate over it, then the HF is fine. But if you plan to fix things yourself, IMO you'll want a scanner at some point.
- Thread starter
- #14
Good Morning. Ok, I am back with code information. Yes, I have searched threads this morning for the two codes I am going to ask about. And you'll probably reply with a question I don't have an answer to. But I do appreciate the help. For us owners just getting in to the realm of self repair, the advice and community is great.
1997 LC
O2 sensor replaced
Codes he is getting (i'm told) are:
41 & 42
Thanks!
1997 LC
O2 sensor replaced
Codes he is getting (i'm told) are:
41 & 42
Thanks!
Sorry, but those are not OBD-II codes.
-B-
-B-
willmaxr said:
All 96 and newer vehicles are OBD-II and the code will be something like P0301. That example is a engine misfire detected in cylinder 1.
2 digit codes like the example you gave were pre OBD-II.
-B-
whodat,
If you have a lap top check out
http://www.obd-2.com/
I recieved my upgraded/trade-in cable last week and hooked it up to the wifie's 97. Works real sweet. Real time data, looks at a ton of stuff, saveable/replay tests offline, and oh yes can clear codes in a blink. Pretty comprehensive for the price. I traded in my ISO only cable, and picked up the Tricom cable, as I need to be able to look at all three of the common OBD2 gateways (ISO,PWM, and VPW). Alex is good to work with and responds to both email and phone questions.
If you have a lap top check out
http://www.obd-2.com/
I recieved my upgraded/trade-in cable last week and hooked it up to the wifie's 97. Works real sweet. Real time data, looks at a ton of stuff, saveable/replay tests offline, and oh yes can clear codes in a blink. Pretty comprehensive for the price. I traded in my ISO only cable, and picked up the Tricom cable, as I need to be able to look at all three of the common OBD2 gateways (ISO,PWM, and VPW). Alex is good to work with and responds to both email and phone questions.
- Thread starter
- #19
Beowulf said:
Do you think he might be counting flashes - ie. below?
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/codes/
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