Illusive check engine light

New member here. I’ll be chasing a check engine light that seems to go away after so many engine starts. Advance Auto says it’s a sensor on the transmission or transaxle. My local mechanic inspected the transmission sensor and verified that it was good. An inexpensive scanner is on order. I’ll keep you posted.

Updated 8-30-24
Code download: P0500 #07E8 1/1
Vehicle Speed Sensor A circuit
Speedometer functions as expected
Cruise Control sets and holds without disengaging.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Need to know what the code is to be sure but my hunch based on what your saying would be P0500 which if your speedometer always works is most likely the SPD circuit failing in the Combination Meter (Instrument Cluster).

 

It is P0500 Speed Sensor

 

Most likely the SPD circuit in the Meter is failing, a good quick test if you have a scanner that can read live data is to watch the Vehicle Speed PID and when it drops out give the cluster a few taps to see if it comes back.

See the post below for more information on the P0500 code and how the Vehicle Speed signal system works.

If it does end up being the cluster (Meter) we have found it can be bypassed on 05-11 models by jumping SP1 (C9 Pin 6 (Red/Yellow)) to SPD (C9 Pin 19 (Violet/White)) at the Meter and then cutting or de-pinning the Violet/White wire from the Meter connector.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clear-a-single-code-to-pass-inspection.802680/