I'm really excited to find this site. I own a 2003 Camry, it has 61,000 miles and I'm interested in doing repairs myself.
This evening when I was driving home from Columbus, OH to Covington, KY (100 miles). My check engine light came on about half way home. I stopped and checked all the fluids and belts, and the car was driving very nicely, and there were no unuslual noises.
I have spent a lot of time working on cars, but most of them were older. My Dad autocrossed RX-7s, and owned a garage that worked on exotic sports cars. I spent my youth helping around the garage and going to races. His health started failing in around 1995 and he passed away in 2001. I should have good genes to for turning wrenchs, but I don't know where to start on my newer car.
I determined from reading other posts that I am going to have to read the error code to determine the problem. I have never done this and I will obviously need to buy a tool to read the code, and i will have to buy some manuals to find my way around.
I need some advice on what code reader to purchase (or do I rent it), and if I should buy the Toyota Manuals or aftermarket brands.
Thanks again, and I'm sorry about asking such dumb questions.
Camry forums are prety slim. You might try asking that same question in the Tundra or Tacoma forums.The truck guys seem to work on their own vehicles a lot more.
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The essential course of a man's life is shaped by his loyalty to his values--not his occasional struggles against sundry negatives.
I know this is going to sound condescending, and I swear it's not meant to be, but check the gas cap tightness. My spouse ran into the "replace engine" light on our 2000 Sienna once halfway to work. Same basic symptom, she was about 30km into her drive to work.
She mentioned she'd filled up the previous evening on the way home. I asked her to crank the cap until it clicked at least once, and she mentioned it seemed loose.
The light didn't go out right away, but was out for the trip home again. Since the fuel system supposedly runs under a bit of pressure, some sensor somewhere didn't appreciate the "leak" in the system.
I'm really excited to find this site. I own a 2003 Camry, it has 61,000 miles and I'm interested in doing repairs myself.
This evening when I was driving home from Columbus, OH to Covington, KY (100 miles). My check engine light came on about half way home. I stopped and checked all the fluids and belts, and the car was driving very nicely, and there were no unuslual noises.
I have spent a lot of time working on cars, but most of them were older. My Dad autocrossed RX-7s, and owned a garage that worked on exotic sports cars. I spent my youth helping around the garage and going to races. His health started failing in around 1995 and he passed away in 2001. I should have good genes to for turning wrenchs, but I don't know where to start on my newer car.
I determined from reading other posts that I am going to have to read the error code to determine the problem. I have never done this and I will obviously need to buy a tool to read the code, and i will have to buy some manuals to find my way around.
I need some advice on what code reader to purchase (or do I rent it), and if I should buy the Toyota Manuals or aftermarket brands.
Thanks again, and I'm sorry about asking such dumb questions.
LL
Some auto parts stores such as Auto Zone will read the diagnostic codes for free, so you may not need to buy a OBD II reader.
Gonna have to borrow this thread to ask the same question. I like to do work on my vehicles every now and then and I currently have three vehicles. Some days I don't feel like going to an auto supply store to have error codes read for FREE so I would like to purchase my own OBD II code reader. I know there are many kinds ranging from $40 to over $1000.
What is a good consumer friendly OBD II code reader? What brand is standard among dealer and independent auto repair shops? If price is not a factor which one is recommended?
I bought one from Harbor Freight for $39 but it appears the codes it throws out does not match the code book it came with. I got a d000 and d001 on one of my vehicles. I am guessing the "d" is really an upside down "P" but there appears to be one missing digit. Anyone know what that means? It came with a code book but the meaning of those codes don't match. I even checked on Google but cannot find the code.
You pretty much get what you pay for, so it appears this code reader is not what I am looking for or I need to familiarize myself with proper code reading.
I know this is going to sound condescending, and I swear it's not meant to be, but check the gas cap tightness. My spouse ran into the "replace engine" light on our 2000 Sienna once halfway to work. Same basic symptom, she was about 30km into her drive to work.
She mentioned she'd filled up the previous evening on the way home. I asked her to crank the cap until it clicked at least once, and she mentioned it seemed loose.
The light didn't go out right away, but was out for the trip home again. Since the fuel system supposedly runs under a bit of pressure, some sensor somewhere didn't appreciate the "leak" in the system.
If not, um, well good luck.
Brad.
Good post. I appreciate it
Thank you so much for the post. It's really useful.
I got a AutoXray referb for about 90 dollars shipped. It was a referb and is fantastic. If you want data too get yourself a Scangauge. They will read the codes plus give you a ton of other cool data like mpg, water temp, hp, etc. I have both because the scangauge is mounted in my tundra and need to work on my wife's 2007 SE 5 speed manual camry.
Code reader ?
Re: Code reader ?
Linear Mode
