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JSO
Bone Stock
Posts:6
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| 06/29/2005 2:10 PM |
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The "check engine" icon is lit on my 4Runner. I was out of town and called a Toyota dealer. They said it has to do with emissions and is not an emergency. Note: They diagnosed this by phone, without seeing the car. I went in to see the dealer's mechanic anyway. He checked and repeated the diagnosis.
Can anyone tell me more about this? I don't want to spend $400 to repair this unless not doing so will harm my vehicle or could cause an accident.
Budget strapped in AZ
JSO |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 06/29/2005 3:00 PM |
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| What are the codes the computer is returning? Without this, it's hard to tell if it's urgent or not. |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
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'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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JSO
Bone Stock
Posts:6
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| 06/29/2005 3:15 PM |
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| I guess by "computer codes" you mean something the repair shop has to do? If not, if there's some code I can find on the vehicle itself, please advise.
Thanks.
S |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 06/29/2005 3:36 PM |
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JSO - you can take your 4Runner to AutoZone, Checker, PepBoys or any chain-type auto parts store. They'll plug a small handheld computer into a plugh under your dash and it will read back computer codes that identify where the issues are.
If you can get those codes & descriptions, post them here and we can help you.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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JSO
Bone Stock
Posts:6
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| 06/29/2005 5:08 PM |
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Hi Rick --
Thanks a million. I'd have replied sooner except that I shot out the door to AutoZone first. (Checkers, by the way, doesn't provide this service in Phoenix.)
The code is P0171, which they said is "oxygen sensor." They provide the part on special order for $155. I don't know what to expect for installation, and if you have any idea, I'd appreciate knowing your thoughts.
So, what does this mean for the engine, and can I drive 1200 more miles before I have this tended to? Need to get to Albuquerque this weekend to deal with a stepfather with a heart problem.
Thanks so much. Just the AutoZone info was worth a lot.
JSO |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 06/30/2005 9:19 AM |
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JSO - You might actually want to think about just changing the O2 sensor yourself. It's very straightforward as long as you can get a rachet and socket in there. You might have to shell out $5 to $10 for an "O2 sensor socket", which is nothing more than a deepwell socket with a groove cut into it.
Removal and replacement shouldn't take more than 15 to 20 minutes to be honest, but sometimes you need to soak them with WD40 to get it to break loose.
You can thumb through a Haynes or Chilton manual at AutoZone to get an idea of where the sensor is and what steps you need to accomplish. But it's honestly very straightforward.
To answer your question though... Can you drive 1200 miles with a bad sensor. To be honest, if it were my truck, I wouldn't do it. The O2 sensor sends data back to the main computer which adjusts a number of things including the fuel mixture. If it's reading incorrectly and tries to lean the engine out, you could at best run your motor too hot, or at worst have more problems. Then again, nothing at all could happen, it's kind of a crap shoot. But, I'd hate to be stranded on the side of the road, when you're trying to do a trip to see sick relatives.
Probably not what you wanted to hear though.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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JSO
Bone Stock
Posts:6
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| 06/30/2005 11:05 AM |
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Thanks again. No, I wanted the facts. I just dropped the vehicle off at the dealership. Not my usual method, but the guy I use is booked up and would have to special-order the part, so the job couldn't be done in time otherwise.
Thanks for your quick and very helpful response. I've told my 4x friends about this site, and everybody I know about AutoZone's service.
Happy 4th to you.
Best,
JSO |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 06/30/2005 11:10 AM |
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Thanks JSO! Have a great Independence Day too! Safe travels and I hope this works out for you.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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JSO
Bone Stock
Posts:6
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| 06/30/2005 12:28 PM |
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| PS -- As a woman of 60, given the location of the 02 sensor underneath the car, behind the engine block, and lacking a way to get at it, I didn't feel like I could take this repair on by myself. I just don't have the wrist/arm strength I used to. If I were younger and stronger, I'd definitely have a go at it. Have done tougher things than that, she said defensively! <smiles>
Thanks again.
JSO |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 06/30/2005 1:09 PM |
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Too true! Ahhh, the benefits (or detriments) of being anonymous on the Internet. ;)
Good luck with your 4Runner JSO.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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JSO
Bone Stock
Posts:6
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| 06/30/2005 1:27 PM |
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| If I could get away with it, I'd park it in the living room. I totally LOVE it: 1999 Ltd V6, desert dune, with 56K miles so far. A GREAT 4X4. I call it my menopause mobile -- counterpart to the guys' red corvette mid-life crisis mobile. <smiles>
JSO |
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