Another Trac off & check eng question

I searched but didn't find! Took my 2013 reg cab 4X4 auto, to local, known reputable, shop for trac off & check eng lights. They replaced a purge sensor, next day both lights back on. Took it back and this time replaced the gas cap, next day both lights back on. Thinking if this shop may not be as reputable as the local folks think. Shouldn't they be able to "KNOW" what is wrong before just replacing parts. In this new computerized world shouldn't their scanner tell them what to fix?

 

You need to ask them what the codes were without codes, it is hard to help

 

Assuming you have a small leak and rather than test they are just throwing parts at it.

Get a code reader or go to autozone, or the like, and they will tell you. Post them up and someone can help.

 

If they didn't "smoke" the car, they are just throwing parts at it.

 

No shop/tech is going to be right on a diagnosis 100% of the time, that being said the amount of shops/dealers that just throw parts at a problem instead of actually diagnosing it while I really don't want to say it's the majority of them it sure seems like there is more of them than there is ones that do real diagnostics and admit when they are wrong.

That being said we really need to know what code(s) you are dealing with in order to give advise as to how to proceed.
If it is indeed EVAP codes while it can be a difficult system to acurately diagnose, with the proper tests one can be fairly confident in which part is bad.

 

With their long time good rep., I can't imagine them not having one of those scanners. Yes, I thought get the code and fix what it says but probably not that simple. Sorry, won't have more info till Mon.

 

I called O'rileys, as Autozone didn't answer their phone, and they said bring it on down and they would get me the codes. I started the 15 mi. trip and appx 1/2 way there, both the lights went off. Made a "U" turn and came back home. Now more confused than ever, guess just keep driving it to see what the heck happens. The only problem the truck has is those lights are on, It starts, runs, shifts, drives, stops perfect. ... Wondering now if the warning system may be the problem as absolutely nothing about the truck is any different than it's been for yrs... I hate this modern day stuff.

 

I just went thru something similar on the wife’s Mazda. Code come up for small air leak, dealer installed a new gas cap and lights came back on before she got home. I found a split in a vacuum line cut it back and reinstalled,, no lights since.

The code is vague and mechanics are getting lazy. I bet they didn’t even pop the hood.

(the code should still be stored in your system if you wanted to get it)

 

Even if the lights go out the code(s) will still be stored in history for a period of time.
There's alot of codes that will turn warning lights on but cause no noticeable effects on driveability, doesn't necessarily mean that they shouldn't be addressed.

 

I should have kept going, just to see if there ever was a problem, what it might have been. Is there a hope the lights may not come back on.

 

No one has mentioned this, but be aware that ANY condition no matter how minor that causes a check engine light to trip will also disable a Toyota vehicle’s traction control and ABS antilock braking operation until the check engine fault condition is cleared. So do t go nuts trying to figure out your TRAC OFf light is cleared. Toyota apparently included disabling traction control under any check engine fault condition as a nag/motivator to the driver who
might otherwise continue driving the vehicle and ignoring the check engine light fault.

Chris B Stonington CT
2012 Tacoma SR5 4x4 2.7L I4 Access Cab 109K
(Recently Re-Framed)

 

The Traction/Stability Control system is disabled on most vehicles when an Engine/Transmission fault occurs because it relies on the Engine/Transmission system to be working properly for the Traction Control/Stability system to function correctly so when the PCM detects a fault it will send a fault message to the ABS Module so it disables Traction/Stability Control, the ABS System however is not affected and will work fine with an engine fault present.

 

I need to read more, I have no clue what the traction control does. I see no difference at all whether it's on or off. I'll be looking that up. Update, today those lights are still not back on, hoping for not coming back on.

 

Traction Control retards engine power when wheel slip is detected to prevent tire spin and help maintain control in slippery conditions.

 

Well, hoping for better things this time. Picked it up 5 days ago and still no lights. "I" never got the code. I took it back to same shop. This time, like super white said, smoke test. He found a squirrel had gnawed a small hole in a plastic vacuum canister. Patched it with pliable epoxy and advised should be as good as replacing with new one. No charge this time. So as of now, new purge sensor, new gas cap, hopefully finding and fix'in lights for appx. $325 total.... My opinion still waaay cheaper than a Dealership, even if they'd found the problem right off. Thanks for the info.

 

Good news and lucky that was all the critters got to! Shop found it and fixed.
They love to get up under the plastic engine cover and crew wires and hoses and that can get expensive.
Got some injector wires and a hose on mine.

 

Not our first with rodents, been using .22 rifle and spraying peppermint around and under autos trying to keep them away. Any other ideas for eliminating the little varmints? rodent