Should I buy a 1996 with the CHECK ENGINE light on?

[84runner]

Ok, so I think I've found the one! It's a 1996 140k on the clock, locked, 2nd owner, (current owner since 1999), all paperwork, never been in an accident, and the price is right! I still haven't seen it, (going tomorrow), and the owner was very open answering all my questions.

Anyway, the big thing is that the check engine light is currently on. Owner stated it first came on around 80k miles, they brought it to the dealer, and they said it was spitting out a 'misfire code.' (I didn't ask him the exact code it spit out but I will, I know there are specific misfires and general misfires from what I've read here on ih8mud).

The owner stated that the Toyota dealership replaced things like plugs, plug wires etc, (I'll have to check his paperwork for anything else, like injectors and wiring), but it didn't fix the problem and they just reset the check engine light, and within a week or two the light would come on again. They went to the dealership repeatedly and sometimes spent money but mostly the dealership just reset the check engine light, saying they didn't know what the problem was. They did state that the dealership sent 'specialists' to inspect and try to find the problem too, but couldn't. So in a nutshell the check eng light has been on and off for the past 60k miles!

Oh, also there were no symptoms of the misfiring while driving.

I've learned much from this board, but feel like I've just scratched the surface, and am excited that it seems, (at least to me), fixable, hopping that rewiring etc can fix the problem.

They are going to the dealer to have the light shut off again so they can smog it, but said it will probably come back on again.

So besides asking for the specific codes, (which if they don't have, I'll take the truck to autozone and have it scanned)...


What do you guys think?

Does the problem seem major enough to not even buy the vehicle?


Thanks, Jeff

 

[ed97fzj80]

It's most likely EGR/VSV related, or O2 sensors. The VSV and EGR are each roughly $4-500 problems at the dealership, and the O2 sensors aren't exactly cheap either. It's something to haggle over, but not a deal-breaker by itself IMO.

 

[CJF]

I would ask them not to clear it till you drive it to an Autozone etc. and get the code read. Then tell us what you find.

Curtis

 

[lovemylc]

do your research than jump in if the water's right

I have bought several used cars over the last several years. Always, take it to a mechanic you trust, pay them the $75-$150 they want to check it over, and then decide. I have paid for as little as 15 minutes of the mechanic's time when he told me some problems, I simply returned the car to the seller and told him "No deal"

It will be the best money you will spend on the truck. My wifey's 97 Lexus LX 450 we bought last month was inspected and we found the PO kept the outside real clean but neglected the routine PM. I gave him the mechanics's estimate and the seller backed it off the price! We got a great ride at the right price.

 

[84runner]

It does seem like a good point to haggle!

And no they weren't planning on clearing it until next week it sounded like. That's why Im not really worried if the 'code' doesn't appear on the receipts they say they have. We'll just drive down to the local Autozone and have them pulled!

 

[landtank]

here in MA that is an unregisterable vehicle. Actually you can register it but not get a sticker for it as it has a code. Here we scan the ECU to confirm all OBDII parameters are compliant. If you are not able to competantly repair the code yourself I'd pass on the truck.

 

[84runner]

I have bought several used cars over the last several years. Always, take it to a mechanic you trust, pay them the $75-$150 they want to check it over, and then decide. I have paid for as little as 15 minutes of the mechanic's time when he told me some problems, I simply returned the car to the seller and told him "No deal"

It will be the best money you will spend on the truck. My wifey's 97 Lexus LX 450 we bought last month was inspected and we found the PO kept the outside real clean but neglected the routine PM. I gave him the mechanics's estimate and the seller backed it off the price! We got a great ride at the right price.

Another great point! Funny I have AAA and they do vehicle inspections for I think about $75 bucks, but I haven't used them in the last 4 or 5 used cars I've bought! Think I will this time.

 

[84runner]

here in MA that is an unregisterable vehicle. Actually you can register it but not get a sticker for it as it has a code. Here we scan the ECU to confirm all OBDII parameters are compliant. If you are not able to competantly repair the code yourself I'd pass on the truck.

And in CA they won't smog/register our vehicles if the light is on. But the code clears for a week or so, enough to pass smog. So very convenient for the seller, and helps me to haggle with the price!

But the whole point isn't that the check engine light is on, it's why? So what is the code it is spitting out and how easy is it to fix.

 

[landtank]

And in CA they won't smog/register our vehicles if the light is on. But the code clears for a week or so, enough to pass smog.

I'm surprised that works in CA cause it wouldn't most likely work here. To pass, the ECU has to be clear in that enough drive cycles have occurred to satisfy all parameters. This has nothing to do with time as it could take a week or more for this to be accomplished. So here in MA if you were to clear the code and drive down to the inspection station it would fail immediately.

My guess is that you have an EGR problem, do a search and you will find several fixes and a cheat as well.

 

[84runner]

I'm surprised that works in CA cause it wouldn't most likely work here. To pass, the ECU has to be clear in that enough drive cycles have occurred to satisfy all parameters. This has nothing to do with time as it could take a week or more for this to be accomplished. So here in MA if you were to clear the code and drive down to the inspection station it would fail immediately.

My guess is that you have an EGR problem, do a search and you will find several fixes and a cheat as well.

Thanks, I found lots of fixes, but I'll need to find the specific code it is spitting out first. Interesting point about the ECU. We'll see what happens

 

[speyrod]

how much are they asking, that would help determine if it is a good deal.

 

[Gumby]

You need to have someone who knows LCs look at it.

Any old goober will miss important stuff like the PHH and HGs and might give bad advice on P0401 codes, the most common of the CELs.

A P0300 could be ignition or fuel injector related. The wiring harness issues could cause it. That'd be a good place to start.

 

[84runner]

You need to have someone who knows LCs look at it.

Any old goober will miss important stuff like the PHH and HGs and might give bad advice on P0401 codes, the most common of the CELs.

A P0300 could be ignition or fuel injector related. The wiring harness issues could cause it. That'd be a good place to start.

The only reason I would have AAA look at it is for a baseline. I've been around the ol automobile a time or two. PHH I can handle. HG's on the other hand... that would be bad. There are ways to tell that too...

 

[CJF]

Uh...

You haven't noticed the "Toyota Factory HG Recall" thread on page 1??

Honestly, I've always believed the best way to learn about a vehicle is to come to a site like this and, rather than posting up, just thoroughly look around at what folks keep discussing.

The PHH is a little more obscure: Pesky Heater Hose, which apparently (there isn't one on 91-92's) is likely to fail and a b*tch to replace.

Curtis

Edit: Ah. In the time it took me to write this, you edumicated yourself. Good on ya!

 

[84runner]

Uh...

You haven't noticed the "Toyota Factory HG Recall" thread on page 1??

Honestly, I've always believed the best way to learn about a vehicle is to come to a site like this and, rather than posting up, just thoroughly look around at what folks keep discussing.

The PHH is a little more obscure: Pesky Heater Hose, which apparently (there isn't one on 91-92's) is likely to fail and a b*tch to replace.

Curtis

Edit: Ah. In the time it took me to write this, you edumicated yourself. Good on ya!

Ah read the whole thing, thanks. I read of the head gasket failures, but somehow missed that huge post. This vehicle doesn't sound like that's the case at least right now. And I am truley of the same mind set... Search before asking, which I believe I am quite proficient. Believe it or not that's why I don't have many posts, cuz I've been reading.

Holly crap, you and I both have the same "Join Date" of May 2005!

 

[CJF]

that's why I don't have many posts, cuz I've been reading.

Holly crap, you and I both have the same "Join Date" of May 2005!

Yup; same join date.

On the other hand, you've started more threads than I have.

Cheers,

Curtis

 

[Proven]

I bought my truck with the CEL on, but fixed it myself. My VSV was frozen, which requires removing the upper intake (not so hard to do, just a has some PIA points to take care of).

With a FSM and patience you could trouble shoot most any code down to the FINITE issue and repair it. So the real question here- IS the REST of the truck worth your time?