check engine light problem

Check engine light came up on my 2001 Corolla. Is there same car parts store in Toronto that can tell me what is the problem (using OBD II device) for free or for the small charge? I heard Autozone in US has such service. If not, can I buy this device at Canadian Tire, identify code and return it back? I am wondering why wouldn't car just show me code right away, check engine light doesn't really help.

Part Source does it for a fee I think

Originally Posted by man_alone

Check engine light came up on my 2001 Corolla. Is there same car parts store in Toronto that can tell me what is the problem (using OBD II device) for free or for the small charge? I heard Autozone in US has such service. If not, can I buy this device at Canadian Tire, identify code and return it back? I am wondering why wouldn't car just show me code right away, check engine light doesn't really help.

Reason for CEL is there are hundreds of codes and not enough space on your dashboard to show them all. Partsource will scan your car for $15, or sometimes free if they can't be bothered to charge you.

Originally Posted by skidz88

Reason for CEL is there are hundreds of codes and not enough space on your dashboard to show them all. Partsource will scan your car for $15, or sometimes free if they can't be bothered to charge you.

Yeah, but they could just have an easy way to display the code. Some cars will do it with a magical combination of ignition key turning, and display it on the odometer. They don't so you will likely take it to the dealership, and spend big bucks there.

Clint

on my honda theres a pin where the obdII connector is, if you short it it will tell you the mil code by blinking patterns of the check engine light, then just reference the chart

I only had to ever do that once (never got a formal CEL on the car ever...knocks on wood!) it only came on once because my stupid alarm installer faked up my wiring under the dash and somehow the rpm wire is loose thus my rpm gauge would stop working then start working sometimes, code it threw was for the map sensor...never came back after fixing the **** SLS did to my car :P

Ricks Repair in Mississauga will do it for free.

I guess my question to you would be, what will you do if you get the code? Does P0138 mean anything and even if you know that it is O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 1, Sensor 2), does that help you understanding what the problem may be? There are literally hundreds of codes that inform the mechanic which sensor is picking up an anomaly but, it does not tell them what to repair. That is determined by a troubleshooting chart and, equally important, experience.
Firstly, check the gas cap, the primary reason for a CEL. If you wish to see if you in fact have an issue, disconnect the battery for a half hour or so, then re connect, thereby clearing any memory in the computer and see if the light comes back on. If it does, take it into a shop you feel comfortable with and have them diagnose the problem for you. It may be something you wish to live with or perhaps a precursor to larger problems. Knowing what a code means does not necessarily make you a smarter person.

Every time I have taken my vehicle to the shop with a CEL on, they bill me 50-60 bucks to do the scan, having the results should save that charge. But come to think of it, the shop will tack in on somewhere else, shop charges, coffee fund, clean rag fund...

Originally Posted by telman

Every time I have taken my vehicle to the shop with a CEL on, they bill me 50-60 bucks to do the scan, having the results should save that charge. But come to think of it, the shop will tack in on somewhere else, shop charges, coffee fund, clean rag fund...

Uhhh, what are you saying? They charge you to scan and then you leave, without getting it fixed? Or that it is a charge on top of getting it fixed? And you feel they charge you for their coffee fund etc, on top? Maybe you should find another shop?

I find that the shop (dealers and several of them) have always charged to scan the engine (diagnostic charge) on top of the repair charge. So what I am saying is if I go there and tell the engine failure code, my bill should be that much cheaper. I have also found the shop adds hidden charges such as environment charge, shop charge, etc to supplement the 105 dollar per hour labour rate.

Originally Posted by telman

I find that the shop (dealers and several of them) have always charged to scan the engine (diagnostic charge) on top of the repair charge. So what I am saying is if I go there and tell the engine failure code, my bill should be that much cheaper. I have also found the shop adds hidden charges such as environment charge, shop charge, etc to supplement the 105 dollar per hour labour rate.

Nothing hidden about environmental, it is a Government tax. Shop charges are valid charges and also not hidden but plainly noted on your bill. You just don't like paying the bill. I costs money to run a shop, someone has to pay.

This is a very good article talking about topping up your gas tank (over filling) will trigger check engine light/harm your fuel system . Corolla are very prone to that since many of the fugal customer topping up their gas tank religiously and end up damage the EVAP system ..such as charcoal canister..VSV valve.

Here is a technical training from TOYOTA said never top up your gas tank.
http://priuschat.com/forums/knowledg...ystem-pdf.html


http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-te...r-exposed.html

Part Source on Steeles/Dufferin does it for free, I got my car checked last week.