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Asked: Dec 31, 2007 - 09:02 AM

Status: Closed

I have a 1997 Toyota Camry LE, which is running like brand new, but there is a check light on. Why?

I drive my Camry carefully, and it is still running like brand spanking new, but it has this engine check light on. Does anyone have this problem? If they do, can they tell me how to fix this?

In Maintenance & Repair > Engine > Indicator Lights
In Makes & Models > Toyota > Camry
14 answers - 8 days ago

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kiawah

Date: Dec 31, 2007
Time: 12:09 PM

Many chain auto parts stores (Pep Boys, Autozone, etc) will do a free reading of your error codes for you. The price on OBD2 readers have come way down, and the simple ones are very reasonably priced.

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madmanmoo

Date: Dec 31, 2007
Time: 12:06 PM

Most common error reason for this is not putting your gas cap on securely. Can you believe it? It's true!

Make sure that's secure first, if that doesn't work, then take the vehicle into your service shop and see what they think.

Good luck!

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kiawah

Date: Dec 31, 2007
Time: 12:09 PM

Many chain auto parts stores (Pep Boys, Autozone, etc) will do a free reading of your error codes for you. The price on OBD2 readers have come way down, and the simple ones are very reasonably priced.

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1
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mackabee

Date: Jan 03, 2008
Time: 01:33 PM

That's the oxygen sensor making the check engine light come on. Make sure every time you fill up that the gas cap clicks a couple of times when you tighten it. Most of the time this will go away. If it doesn't take it to your local Toyota dealer and have it checked out and reset.

Source: I sell them

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bepperb

Date: Jan 07, 2008
Time: 11:47 AM

First tighten the gas cap a few clicks. It will take five or ten restarts before the lights clear if this is the problem. If that isn't the case, it may be bad gas, so fill your tank from somewhere else and let it run through.

As was also posted earlier, most auto parts stores will read the code for free. It may be a bad O2 sensor, which you can replace yourself if you have decent tools or can rent them from the auto parts store.

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sbonjonesy

Date: Jan 27, 2008
Time: 08:27 PM

Check your gas cap lots of Honda's and Toyota's exhibit this if you recently filled up and forgot to put gas cap back on. If it is the case simply retighten the gas cap and the check engine light should go away after driving for awhile.

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mil6264

Date: Feb 12, 2008
Time: 08:51 PM

for that you will need to go to a garage that has a computer they will plug it into your vehicle's computer and the computer will tell what's wrong, most likely it will be an oxigen sensor, that is located in the exaust just after the engine

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actualsize

Date: Feb 28, 2008
Time: 06:39 PM

I agree with most of the above comments. Most.

There is no one reason why a check engine light comes on. It COULD be an oxygen sensor. It MIGHT be a loose cas cap (or one with a damaged o-ring seal.) It might be a dozen other things.

Check the gas cap (and its seal) first. If that was it, the code will clear itself after driving continuosly for awhile. If it isn't the cap, have the codes checked at a dealer or auto parts store. Buying your own code-checking tool is OK, but sometimes one fault will trigger multiple codes. You don't get information about why something failed. Then what? Unless you're a competent DIYer, I'd take it to a trusted mechanic or dealer.

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joel0622

Date: Mar 20, 2008
Time: 09:05 AM

It can also occur if you leave the car running while putting gas in it. It will cause the car to suck in air and foul the Mass Air Flow Sensor.

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rearwheeldrive

Date: Jun 06, 2008
Time: 06:02 PM

Oh yea it will go out after 50 start cycles or so depending on the model car, if the problem dosnt exist anymore. I erase codes immediately by removing the ground cable on the battery for a couple minutes. If their is a problem the light will reset itself.

Which could be no problem at all. The red light means stop engine immediately, the yellow one says go to the dealer and get the run around.

Service lights are just that, get service. Going to the autoparts stores above should tell you what needs serviced ,EGR Valve, MassAirFlow Sensor, Exhaust Sensor, If any one of these gets a bad signal the code is set off with nothing wrong with the part itself. Something like a sudden surge could throw off the normal signals these sensor pick-up tripping a code. Engine running more hot durring summer weather increased load on an engine in the summer or winter.

They should know their codes Theirs usually 10--15 codes for basic sensor on the engine.

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epgolfs

Date: Aug 05, 2008
Time: 10:58 AM

Fully agree that the *likely* cause is the gas cap, however: Reseating the gas cap will NOT clear the code. Virtually any garage with a diagnostic machine can clear the code for you. It's a 2 minute job.

My recommendation? Wait until you need an oil change & take it to a Toyota dealer. Tell them about the code & get it all done at once.

1 stone = 2 birds.

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waggawee

Date: Aug 08, 2008
Time: 12:29 AM

Hi, let me help out abit seeing you have this long going problem with your camery. In the engine compartment you'll see a little black box looking like a fuse box, that is the dignostic connector. That box read the computer signal, or codes. I need you to find E1 and Te1 and use a piece of wire and bridge it. Then go into the car and turn full ignition on and watch for the check engine light to flash. Slow flashes are 10 and the fast ones are 1 ok. Meaning it make 2 slow flash and 4 fast flash then it would be code 24. and when you do so you just post the code and i'll tell you what is wrong with the vechile, as well as taking the battery cable off for 5 mins will reset yout computer and erase the codes, If a code comes back then a sensor is breaking down. (waggawee)

Source: Auto Electrican

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fatmando

Date: Aug 30, 2008
Time: 06:20 PM

a loose gas cap or a bad O2 sensor are the two most common reasons a car runs like new and have a check engine light on.

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mario20

Date: Sep 05, 2008
Time: 01:07 PM

i had this problem and it ended up being that i didnt put the gas cap on all the way the light can take up to 100 miles to turn off after this

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mrrealtor

Date: Oct 03, 2008
Time: 11:49 PM

I have a 1996 that runs perfectly and had a light on when i bought it. I did replace a sensor for around $100 but I stopped using gas with ethanol in it and my light went away and has not come back since I have been using real gas.

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