Hey guys, new to the forum...well as a user, been reading on this thing off and on for the past few years but just got around to creating an account..... Anyhow my problem is this; I took my cats off my truck b/c they were plugged and needed replacing, well me being cheap just took them off and punched all the stuff out them and hollowed it out. My check engine light was on before I did this in case you were wondering and has remained on since... is there something I can do to get rid of the CEL? I have looked around for one but not found one, anyone ever heard of a delete kit for the o2 sensor? Or anything I can do to get the dummy light off? Any help would be greatly appriciated guys :-D thanks.

If you know someone who has a scan tool have them clear it for you. Places like Autozone will use one to check the code for you, but I'm not sure if they clear them or not. You could always go in and tell them you had them check it last week and that you've since fixed the problem on your own and see if they'll clear it for you. Either way, I have a feeling it will be coming back on. Good luck.

John

Yes, a place like Autozone should be able to clear the code for you. Most of those types of readers can clear codes. The last couple times I went to Autozone to have them read my codes, I was told THEY cant do it anymore...They give you the reader to go read/clear the codes yourself.

You can also try disconnecting your battery for 10 or 15 mins to clear the code also.

BUT...I think youre gonna get that code back. There are O2 sensors downstream of each cat, as well as in front of them. With nothing in the cats to lower the emissions, your downstream O2s will probably always give you codes.
Also, from what I've read on here, replacing the cats with anything other than stock Toyota replacements, will also always give you codes. Only problem is, Toyota cats run $1000 or better... EACH!!!... :mad:

Yeah, I have had the code cleared a few times from friends and killing the battery (oops)......but I was reading some of the other forums.... not like i should be doing this but my truck since I got it could never do burnouts and i cleaned my MAF and ran some sea foam through it.... WOW, does burnouts with no problems now :-D and that's is pretty exciting for me ;-).....anyhow so I checked the spark plugs and they look pretty bad. I will change the spark plugs no matter what, but how much of a difference will it make not changing them? Just curious, so you guys don't think there is a delete kit for the 02 sensors that will make the truck think it is getting the appropriate reading?

Lol... yeah, I did the seafoam (just in the intake, havent done the crankcase yet (and not sure if I WILL do that or not)....And since everyone said to drive it like you stole it to clean it out, I would let it coast down to about 15-20MPH, and then romp on it till it hit 75-80MPH...(probably more times than I SHOULD have, but MAN, was that fun!!! :D)...It sure got up and went like it never had since before doing the seafoam.

Back OT, I assume youre in a state that doenst require emissions with your registration/inspection?...Cuz if ya are, with a delete kit, I would think you'ld be kinda screwed....I know I would be here in NY. (Actually I'm already pretty nervous about my upcoming inspection because of emissions... :()

Yeah, I live in Montana.... No emmision crap here!!! :-D but didn't know if a delete kit existed so I can get rid of the dumb Check Engine Light. I don't know what would happen to half the Montanan's here if the state started checking emmisions....prolly start walking or just ignore the law and get tickets lol.......

Yeah doesn't matter how many times you cleared the code, it will re-code and that CEL will come right back on. it's part of OBDII systems that are required by law. but one thing you might want to try is taking your downstream o2's out and just zip-tie them up to something, then clearing the code and seen if it re-codes, right now the ECU is seen a rich mixture but by hanging the o2's in fresh air the ECU will see a leaner mixture, try that and let me know how it goes.

If I do that won't the exhaust leak pretty bad out of those two hole? And how lean will it run do you think? It won't harm anyhting will it?

...one thing you might want to try is taking your downstream o2's out and just zip-tie them up to something, then clearing the code and seen if it re-codes, right now the ECU is seen a rich mixture but by hanging the o2's in fresh air the ECU will see a leaner mixture, try that and let me know how it goes.

Don't do that. That's not even a 'ghetto' solution. The ECU firmware is designed to run with rear O2 sensors. Fix the exhaust so it runs the right way.