Need help with Check Engine Light code

Hey guys,

I started my truck this morning and it had a CEL that was not there last night when i parked it. I took it by advanced and had them read the code and it said something about "engine immobilizer." The guy from advanced auto had no idea what it could be. I searched thru some threads on here, but couldn't find anything to do with the engine immobilizer being related to a CEL.

If you guys have any ideas, it would be greatly appreciated. I guess i'm going to try to disconnect the battery and see if it goes away or contact Toyota and see what they have to say about it.

Thanks in advance

Edit: I have an 06 TRD OR DCSB

 

I don't know, but I'm guessing immobilizer would be a factory anti-theft. Maybe the transponder in the key is messed up or the receiver in the truck. Try a spare and see. You might carry your spare 'till you figure it out just in case it is going bad so you don't get stranded. Just taking a guess stab at it since I'm the first to chime in.

 

Get the actual code. "Something about engine immobilzer" is not helpful. There are some clowns at these parts stores. Have them show the tool to you with the codes.

 

DonziGT230 - You were right, it is something to do with the key. The weird thing is my truck starts and runs fine...I called Toyota, and the guy told me that usually when that happened the truck would not start. He told me to go somewhere and have the code erased.

I haven't tried disconnecting the battery yet. Do you guys think it would be worth a shot to try that, or just take it to a shop and have them erase it with a scanner?

 

*sigh..

Get the code, no sense in guessing.. Hope you get it worked out without it leaving you stranded... I'm out.

 

The engine starting or not after an immobilizer code has set depends on many things. In some cases if the immobilizer fails while the engine is running, it will default to "start" mode and allow you to start the engine. Also, if it was a single code event, then the failure is not present, and the engine will start normally. You really need to get the specific code number.

 

OK, thanks for the help guys. I'll go by and get it scanned again and report back with the code.

 

You should never disconnect the battery. If the code does get erased then you're not going to know how possibly serious the issue is. All people can do is guess until they're blue in the face. Until we(or the dealer) know the code we're just going to throw out guesses.

 

Well guys, I went ahead and took it by the dealership and they scanned it again and it didn't throw a code this time, even though the CEL was still on. The service manager told me that it was possible it threw the code and then fixed itself after I drove it. Seems kind of weird to me, but they erased the light for me and said if it started acting funny to bring it back. The truck started and ran fine every time that I drove it today, so hopefully it was just a fluke thing. I've never had any problems from it before, so I hope it doesn't start now. Thanks for the help everyone.

 

Well I guess you're just going to have to wait and see if it doesn't again.

 

I always assumed if the check engine light was illuminated , the code would be stored ?
Cant you back in the history codes and check the last code stored in pcm memory ?
What kind of programming turns the check engine light on and you cant obtain the code ? Seems fishy that the dealership couldnt supply you with a code using the OEM scanner wether the code was soft (intermittant) or hard (permanent) . Back in my days of auto repair , the pcm looked at various sensors 8 times per second . I beleive this number has now multiplied 10 fold .
This is 2013 not 1992 . Better diagnostic user programming needs to be implemented on these vehicles .
This ofcourse would be null if the battery was disconnected but still doesnt explain why they couldnt give you a code if the CEL was on .
Kinda frustrating for this day and age unless I am missing something ????

 

I never disconnected the battery, so i'm not sure about why the code wouldn't be stored. The guy at advanced auto that scanned it first could have maybe read it wrong? I'm not sure what happened, but the dealer told me it shouldn't be anything to worry about. Hopefully he's right lol.

 

Smoke and mirrors there. If the light was on, there is a code in the system. If the condition "fixed itself" or simply passed the next self diagnostic test, then the light would go out. Sounds like someone didn't want to work on your truck.

 

This is where I stand. Auto parts stores employ clowns sometimes, Stealerships earn their reputations in many many mischievous ways.

 

Thanks Bama . For a minute there I thought diagnostics were going backwards rather than forward hehehe .
Years ago it was difficult obtaining codes on domestics and even worse with the Jap stuff because they didnt want to release the information to the aftermarket .Always had to trick the PCM to get the codes

 

I see a Scangauge in the OP's future.

 

Already been thinking about getting one. This might just be the thing to get me to finally pull the trigger!