Camry Charcoal Canister and VSV Valve

[THarms]

well doggonit... the light came back on as my wife was driving home from work tonight...and my code-reader will still not read the codes since last time it was at the dealer, so I don't know what error code is currently in the computer.

Any thoughts on next steps?? Sure wish I had a better dealer in my area...

[mustang67408]

Wish I knew if the same code came back.HMMMM , give me some time to think about it.
I have a few questions, if you dont mind.

#1: Is the fuel tank full? 1/2? or near empty?
#2: had any bucking or surging problems latley?
#3: are you sure the VSV is properly installed?

If we knew the codes it would be easier : there is another TSB for P0440/P0441/& P0446,but without knowing the code(s),I'd hate to guess.
Maybe you can get somone to read it. (pep boys,checker,chief?) or someone in your area.

[THarms]

Originally Posted by mustang67408

Wish I knew if the same code came back.HMMMM , give me some time to think about it.
I have a few questions, if you dont mind.

#1: Is the fuel tank full? 1/2? or near empty?
#2: had any bucking or surging problems latley?
#3: are you sure the VSV is properly installed?

If we knew the codes it would be easier : there is another TSB for P0440/P0441/& P0446,but without knowing the code(s),I'd hate to guess.
Maybe you can get somone to read it. (pep boys,checker,chief?) or someone in your area.

#1) Tank was near full (but in the past the light came on independent of the fuel tank level).

#2) Not aware of any

#3) What I replaced was the Vacuum Control Valve (VCV) [Part# 25852-20010] and I believe I installed it correctly, but will crawl underneath the car later today and confirm. A lot of hoses under there, but I'm 99% sure I removed and reconnected to the correct ones. I did not replace the Vacuum Switching Valve (VSV) [Part # 90910-12109]. But was thinking that was my next step... but would like to be able to read the codes if possible.

#4) Good idea on seeing if Autozone is still able to read the codes. I will take it to the store afterwork tonight.

Thxs for your help... always nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of!

[mustang67408]

Originally Posted by THarms

#1) Tank was near full (but in the past the light came on independent of the fuel tank level). OK COOL

#2) Not aware of any. Awesome, there is a OVERFILL checkvalve in the tank, sometimes it sticks open, usually floods the charcoal canister and causes engine bucking surging, and sometimes the engine to die or cut out.
#3) What I replaced was the Vacuum Control Valve (VCV) [Part# 25852-20010] and I believe I installed it correctly, but will crawl underneath the car later today and confirm. A lot of hoses under there, but I'm 99% sure I removed and reconnected to the correct ones.Good deal
I did not replace the Vacuum Switching Valve (VSV) [Part # 90910-12109]. But was thinking that was my next step... but would like to be able to read the codes if possible. Might be a good idea(VSV), but I think this valve comes on a new canister. Which now that you did the TSB, is most likely the problem. Without testing it with the Toyota evap tester it is the next best educated GUESS.The large corrigated hose on the Canister going to the rollover valve, sometimes leaks- it has a O-ring on each end to seal, they leak now and then.

#4) Good idea on seeing if Autozone is still able to read the codes. I will take it to the store afterwork tonight.

Thxs for your help... always nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of!

Doing my best, without having the car here
There are another few things to check also.
I will advise those , when/if someone can get you a code.
I'll keep tuned to this same canister channel, same canister time

[THarms]

Replaced the VSV (Vacuum Switching Valve) tonight. Took about 10 minutes and would have taken 5 if the bracket screw wouldn't have been rusted in place. Again had to reset the OBD computer by disconnecting the battery. Took it out for a test drive and the check engine light stayed off... but it took about 50-miles last time for it to come back on... so my fingers remained crossed.

On the OBD computer issues.. I took the car down to Autozone to see if they could get a reading. Their OBD reader (looked a little more sophisticated than mine) could not link up either. The guy testing it says that he's only seen this happen once before and it was not on a Toyota. Said he thinks it is because the dealership has the ability to put the OBD in specific diagnostic test modes to test for certain sensor failures. If they don't reset it back to the baseline setting then the over-the-counter OBD readers like mine are not able to communicate. Anyone else every heard of this??

If the light stays off over the weekend, I'm going to take the car to the dealer on Monday to get the OBD computer fixed... this still ticks me off

[mustang67408]

Originally Posted by THarms

Replaced the VSV (Vacuum Switching Valve) tonight. Took about 10 minutes and would have taken 5 if the bracket screw wouldn't have been rusted in place. Again had to reset the OBD computer by disconnecting the battery. Took it out for a test drive and the check engine light stayed off... but it took about 50-miles last time for it to come back on... so my fingers remained crossed.Me Too

On the OBD computer issues.. I took the car down to Autozone to see if they could get a reading. Their OBD reader (looked a little more sophisticated than mine) could not link up either. The guy testing it says that he's only seen this happen once before and it was not on a Toyota. Said he thinks it is because the dealership has the ability to put the OBD in specific diagnostic test modes to test for certain sensor failures. If they don't reset it back to the baseline setting then the over-the-counter OBD readers like mine are not able to communicate. Anyone else every heard of this??Nope never heard of this.When they go into test mode, in order to exit the scan tool, they have to leave test mode.It still baffles me, why your reader or Autozones reader wont work.
If the light stays off over the weekend, I'm going to take the car to the dealer on Monday to get the OBD computer fixed... this still ticks me off

Please let me know what they find, about this problem. Thanx

[THarms]

The continuing saga... the light came back on monday so I spent 2 hours today removing/replacing the charcoal canister unit. You'd think Toyota with their stellar engineering reputation would have been able to come up with a better place to put this crazy thing!! In any case, I got it replace (Mustang - I found out you don't have to complete remove the muffer/exhaust.. only need to disconnect the hangers and lower it about 4 inches in order to get the canister to slide over the axle.

Reset the computer again by disconnecting the battery ( ). So we'll see if this fixes it.

[THarms]

Originally Posted by THarms

The continuing saga... the light came back on monday so I spent 2 hours today removing/replacing the charcoal canister unit. You'd think Toyota with their stellar engineering reputation would have been able to come up with a better place to put this crazy thing!! In any case, I got it replace (Mustang - I found out you don't have to complete remove the muffer/exhaust.. only need to disconnect the hangers and lower it about 4 inches in order to get the canister to slide over the axle.

Reset the computer again by disconnecting the battery ( ). So we'll see if this fixes it.

75miles put on it today and no check engine light.... still too early to say I'm completely out of the woods, but looking good so far!!

[mustang67408]

Originally Posted by THarms

75miles put on it today and no check engine light.... still too early to say I'm completely out of the woods, but looking good so far!!

Sounds Great!
I'll keep an ear out, GOOD LUCK
SO FAR - SO GOOD !!!!!

[THarms]

Well... 5+ days and nearly 250miles and the check engine light remains off. Don't want to jinx myself here (fingers crossed), but it appears replacing the charcoal canister assembly (~$200 from the place I get my toyota parts) finally fixed this thing.

Mustang - Thxs again for your guidance and patience!

[mustang67408]

I knocked on wood for ya today.
Feel free to contact me anytime
Your very welcome

[titom]

thankyou mustang67408

[mustang67408]

Your welcome

[titom]

Well I reset the 2001 Camry 15a fuse again. The Check Engine Light again went out. Filled up with gas.. $29.33 wow, must be a 15, 15.5 or 16 gal tank. I normally don't run it that low... but I thought the gas $$ would go down.. my mistake..I didn't copy the codes taken from AutoZone.. but did buy a new gas cap.. that was a month ago.. no help.

For now I'm too busy at work.. vacation time for crew.. to work on car.. And because it's running perfectly.. except for the light coming on every 10 or 400 miles.

Re-did my email and profile today, think I'll monitor this forum every once in awhile. Thankyou again for the warm welcome.

Love my Camry :-) (was driving a minvan:-/

[10sgrt]

Originally Posted by THarms

Installed the VCV this first thing this morning (took me about 20-min... sure isn't much room to to get your hands in there to work with the rear axle alway in the way!). Had to reset the computer by disconnecting the battery cable. Have now put about 20-miles on the car since and still no light Keeping my fingers crossed that this solved the problem!! Will keep you updated.

I have the same problem with my 2001 Solara V6. The dealer said that I need to replace my charcoal canister because there's a leak in it. Since, I got 156K miles already in it, it's not covered by warranty. Do you know where I can get this part cheaper, the dealer is charging me $250 just for the part. Or maybe you can give me the exact part number so I can search online.

Thanks.