Don't kno what it could be

My check engine light came back on. I don't know wat it could be bc I just had my timing belt replaced and it was off for a bit and after I moved back onto a farm it came back on. Is it something to do w driving around the farm bc it has a few dip downs in the ground. Would tht have messed something up? Anybody know what this could be?

 

Check the codes....

 

Sorry I've heard of people doing that and I kno this makes me sound stupid but how do I check the codes exactly?

 

Wow tht def helps out alot thanks man

 

Yeah , AAMCO will scan for codes & explain for free also...

 

never go to AAMCO. they are trash.

 

Ok so I got it checked out and the code is P0420 which is saying Catalyst system efficiency below threshold (bank 1). So wat exactly does tht mean?

 

Cat might be clogged

 

Why don't you explain WHY...... because why would we believe you?

 

How many miles on your truck? Have you ever had the O2 sensor/s replaced?

Try searching www.google.com and type in "P0420 toyota" and you'll see lots of information.

 

274000 miles on it. I got the truck when it had 242000 on it and have never had O2 sensor replaced. Could tht be the problem? If so, is it crucial I replace it soon as possible?

 

If it is an 02 it is a problem because thats where the ecu gets its information on how the a/f ratio needs to be adjusted. With a bad sensor your sending a terrible signal constantly to the ecu and its always changing the ratio so you could be getting poor mileage and performance from your truck

 

Its an 01. Does tht still apply to tht year?

 

http://mr2.com/TEXT/O2_Sensor.html

that might give some insite as to how they work and if they are important

easiest thing to do would probably be testing the voltage that the sensor draws, if that proves to be bad then change out the sensor and hope that works. If the sensor is showing proper voltage then maybe something might be wrong with the wiring or you could have a clogged cat. From the codes description it kind of sounds like a o2 sensor after the cat otherwise if it was before idk if it would mention anything about cat system below threshold...

Actually to see if this is a realy problem an easy way to show is by either having whoever read the code erase it or unplug your negative battery terminal for a while. That should reset the ECU and if there is a problem then the code should pull up again.

 

Wow....that's a lotta miles!! Nice job keepin' her running!! I'm pretty sure the previous owner changed the 02 sensors before. Mine went out at 74K miles on my 96. They're easy to change, as long as they're not rusted/seized up to the threaded ports on the exhaust.
For what its worth, this is my writeup of an 02 sensor replacement on 3.4 Manual.
http://www.lieblweb.com/o2replacement.html

Wouldn't hurt to get a different shop (free?) check the codes and see if they can narrow down the exact problem before changing the O2 sensors. You could change them anyway if you want..... just don't have to if that's not the problem.

 

My brother worked at one part time when he was in the Navy for a few weeks. They will lie to you and change parts out when in fact they are good. They ripped off many many people. He left that place quick.

 

sounds kinda like jiffy lube and the whole conspirecy with that

 

Well guys, the engine check light went off when I stopped at a red light /: in a way I'm glad it did but in another way I wanted to kno what the deal was. My truck jus seems bipolar about tht light. Is there still a prob there or do y'all think it jus happened to go away?