my 95 truck has 98,600 miles and this morning the check engine light came on but my truck drives the exact same. sounds the same feels the same same power everything.
my question is what are some of the common things it could be?
i was looking in the chilton manual and it says something about connecting some wire between two points and counting the flashes??? i have no idea what that is really.
a couple guys said maybe o2 sensor?
any advice would be great.
if my truck acts normal is it fine to drive it around with the cel on?

 

The first priority of a DTC is for emissions monitoring. It may be something as simple as the gas cap not being on tight enough. If the code passes certain ignition cycles then it will go off so if it goes of then it's fine, but I would check into it at autozone or somewhere like that and find out what it is just for curiosity's sake.

 

ok i did a search on here and used a paperclip in the te1 and e1 ports and counted the flashes.........

7 then a pause then 1 more flash. and it just repeted this same one over and over.

so i looked in my book and it says a 7-1 is a code 71 egr system malfuntion.

so can someone please help me on this. what do i need to replace??? thanks very much for any help. i have no money for the stealership right now. lol

 

Check and see it maybe the egr port is clogged up. It happens all the time in the Chevy Luminas here at work. I'm not sure on Toyota's but see if the vacuum or electrical parts are working, whichever one it has.

 

i dont really know a ton about working on my truck i am ashamed to say but if i have direction i can fix it im sure.
what and where is that?
anyone else have an idea? thanks guys

 

well you got semi-lucky IMO because your 'yota is pre-obd-II, meaning you could probably do a bit of diagnostics yourself.
Check your EGR valve by removing it and testing the moving part of it, which should be some sort of poppet valve (usually covered in carbon deposits). Check for functionality by manually actuating the poppet by litterally pushing it in, paying particular attention to the poppet's motion and smoothness. If you find the poppet valve to be "sticking", try and clean it with any sort of o2-sensor-safe carburetor cleaner to remove the carbon buildup.
But: In my experience, this will solve an egr malfunction that lead to ragged idling, so i don't exactly know if it will help you and clear your code as you mentioned that you experienced no "driveability" issues.

either way, give it a try.
donny

this is what an egr "generally" looks like. it will be on or around the intake manifold, and after running, will be REALLY hot.

 

thank you fingerman for the advice and picture.
if it is the egr valve is it detrimental that i replace it right away or does it not really matter much?
to anyone else,do you guys also think its this valve? or how many things could it be to do with egr.
im reading anything i can find on google right now about it.
thanks.