95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Help needed for Check Engine Light.

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Old Aug 2, 2004 | 09:27 AM
  #1  
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Unhappy Help needed for Check Engine Light.

Hey guys, this is my first posting, althought I have loved the Forum for over a year. The amount of information on this site is great. But...I have a problem that I can not narrow down, just by doing a search. Believe me, I have tried. Here goes...

I have a 2002 runner, SR5 Sport, 2-wheel drive, S/C'd, URD fuel kit, and Iridium plugs. The engine has 31k on it. The S/C has been on for about 15k with no problems other than the standard "High Gear/Low RPM ping". Two weeks ago, I installed the URD Fuel Kit. I had no problems right after the install. It did eliminate the "ping" however, I did not see a noticeable improvement in power.

My problem is...this past weekend, while pulling a 2k lb trailer, my "Check Engine" light, "TRAC Off" light and "VSC TRAC" light, all came on. I have tried to search for an answer, but can not find one. I've checked the Evap hoses, gas cap, and pretty much everything else I can find to check, with no luck.

I'm in the Air Force, stationed in the UK, so finding someone who can work on the 3.4 is next to impossible.

Does anyone have any ideas? If I have left out some important information, please let me know. I am supposed to take it on a 1,000 mile trip, this weekend, but don't know if I can, without fixing this problem.

-tbrookens-
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Old Aug 2, 2004 | 09:39 AM
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could possibly be the Mass Airflow sensor (MAF). it may need to be cleaned or replaced. do a search on it, and you'll find out where and how to check it.
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Old Aug 2, 2004 | 09:40 AM
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also, how many miles are you at?
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Old Aug 2, 2004 | 09:46 AM
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I'm at 31k miles. I checked the MAF and all seems to be good there. At least it's clean and seems to function properly.
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Old Aug 2, 2004 | 09:50 AM
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You need to retrieve the code/codes before you just start piss'n in the wind. Then at least you have somewhere to start.
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Old Aug 2, 2004 | 09:57 AM
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good call.

go to a place like autozone if you have one over there.. or a toy dealer.

my guess is it may be a lean code.
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Old Aug 2, 2004 | 10:01 AM
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That's one of my problems...no toyota dealer here will touch it, because they don't have/sell 4Runners over here. Just to pull the codes, the cheapest price to pull the codes is 50 UK pounds, which converts to $90.
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Old Aug 2, 2004 | 10:25 AM
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ditto to pulling the code.

you can buy a generic ODBII code reader for about $45 + shipping. harbor freight sells one. ask tacoma_dude what he thinks about his.
several members including me have an auterra obdII reader. it will cost you more than the harbor freign OBDII but you'll get a whole lotta features out of it. you'll need a palm pilot though to make it work.

theres another one that midiwall has which runs off a laptop.

anyways, search OBDII on the forum and hopefully you can find your answer.

bob
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Old Aug 2, 2004 | 11:50 AM
  #9  
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I got hold of URD and they are helping me out with the problem. I know a lot of you have dealt with them, but I want to echo so many other posts out there...These guys are great!!! Even though there is a great possibility the problem isn't related to the Fuel kit, they are still taking the time and trouble to help me solve this problem. Not many business owners would do that any more.

Thanks again for the help everyone has given so far.

T
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Old Aug 2, 2004 | 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Bob_98SR5
ditto to pulling the code.

you can buy a generic ODBII code reader for about $45 + shipping. harbor freight sells one. ask tacoma_dude what he thinks about his.
It seems to work fine on my truck but when I plugged it into my roommate's Integra it gave me an "E"
First time I've seen that. Worked fine when I plugged it back into my truck so I'm not sure what the deal is.
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Old Aug 2, 2004 | 05:41 PM
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You don't need a code reader tool if you just want to check the codes, all you need is a paper clip. Look in your owner's manual or a repair manual and it should tell you where the ecm (diagnostic) port is located on your rig. On my 89 runner it is under the hood behind the battery and fuse panel. All you have to do is short 2 pins together and your check engine light will flash in a pattern, giving you the specific trouble code. The $30-$50 code reader tools do the exact same thing.
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Old Aug 2, 2004 | 08:08 PM
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Is this really an option on the OBD II equipped vehicles?
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Old Aug 16, 2004 | 09:55 PM
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Obd II equipped vehicles need a scan tool to read the codes. Most older than 96 you can use the self diagnositic method. Here is a link to site that explains how to read the codes. http://www.troublecodes.net/Toyota/
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Old Aug 16, 2004 | 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Tacoma Dude
Is this really an option on the OBD II equipped vehicles?
No it isn't.
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 04:19 AM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by Tacoma Dude
Is this really an option on the OBD II equipped vehicles?
On Toyotas, no.
My Civic you can do the paper clip trick (yes it does have OBD II.....it is a 2002) and it will give you a generic code (ie the actual code will be of this type but nothing more specific....so lets say I got a code 90 with the paperclip which means the code falls somehwere between codes p1453 and p1491 (as an example) and that means it is in the emissions equipment) so even then it is way better to have the reader and to get the specific number on the code to tell you exactly what is wrong.

Tacoma Dude I am curious what year your friends Acura was because they do have a new OBD protocol out so you may have run into that as well.
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 12:29 PM
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I believe his Integra is a 96.
My scanner tool fit right in so it was kind of a shock to see the "E" show up.
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