[rahul1701]

Hey Mustang,

I have been reading quite a few posts where I have seen replies from you. I must say that you are one of the most helpful people that one can come across. Very patient with novice drivers, drivers like me who couldn't tell an air filter from an oil filter, and so on. Thank you so much for all your help. Good people like you make such forums worthwhile to visit. An educated help is anyday better than 20 people giving guestimates.

Now, to my problem. I have a similar issue (Check engine light) on my Toyota Echo 2002. Now, let me give you a brief background. I bought this car on Friday, June 26 from an individual. The car was in great shape (at least externally with new tyres, a new battery, pristine interiors and exteriors). I had no reason to doubt the buyer with regards to his proclaimed condition of the car. I drove the car around since Friday till today, Wednesday morning without any issues.

Today morning, suddenly I got the Check Engine light. Reading a lot of replies and posts in this forum on this issue, it seems that the gas cap (improper closure) can cause the light to glow. Now, I filled the gas on Tuesday night and drove for about 20 miles after with no issues. Today morning is when the light started glowing. Now, I must admit that I filled the gas up to the brim (forcibly after the automatic gas nozzle switched off). I'm not a car person and wouldn't know how to perform all the steps that are mentioned as solutions (clean air flow system, etc etc etc). What do you suggest is my best course of action? Dealer? I took the car to Firestone and they said that they would charge $79.99 just to check before they diagnose what the issue is and let me know how much it would cost. I walked out after saying thank you since I didn't believe there could be any big issue.

I have tried opening and re-closing the gas cap without any success.

Any help would be great appreciated. Thank you already in advance. I know that the solution that you provide would probably not be very different from the solutions provided in previous posts; however, I just am not confident opening the hood and doing something catastrophic to it.

Someone suggested removing the negative terminal of the battery, press the brake pedal for 10 seconds and that should reset the CHECK ENGINE light. Is that true?

Thanks
Rahul