I learned something useful today (I think!)

Radke · 02-10-2004, 06:19 AM

I have a 2000 Tundra pickup with about 52K miles on it. About 2 weeks ago, the check engine light came on. I checked the gas cap, looked under the hood, shoot, nothing obvious to plug back in and fix it. But, the truck runs just fine, acceleration, starting, gas milage, no different, but that pesky light just stares at me every time I get in. My brother sent me a note and said just disconnect the battery cable for about a minute, that'll reset the on board computer. So thats what I did, now the light no longer comes on. I'm assuming that if there really is a problem, the light will come back on and I'll go have it checked, but this seems a relatively cost effective solution!! Convienient too.

Is this common knowledge, or is my brother the smartest back yard mechanic in the world?

RogueFishr · 02-10-2004, 07:40 AM

Some auto manufacturers have the computer turn on the engine light at certain mileage intervals to get you to come in to the dealer for their whatever-mile check up and service. There is usually a reset button under the dash somewhere to reset it too.

RF

El-Kabong · 02-10-2004, 08:06 AM

Hi,

I had a similiar problem a while back with my S10. Diggin around the net I read that this was most commonly caused by a leaking vacuum.

EK

FallRiverGuy · 02-10-2004, 08:20 AM

I would not ignore the check engine light. Even though disconnecting the power has turned off the light, it came on for a reason. I have a 99 Tacoma and the check engine light came on once because of a fouled air mass meter. Talking with the mechanic about what would cause the light to come on, he said often it is when the computer has to compensate for a problem and it gets to the point where the compensation is outside of an acceptable range. It could be any number of reasons that caused the computer to over compensate. A mechanic can download the error codes that were saved that caused the light to be activated.

GOT2FISH · 02-10-2004, 04:36 PM

The bad part about this is you have erased the code. Just like the other replys siad any time the computer has to over compinsate it will set the code [check engine lite] you usally have two types soft and hard a hard code would have come back after you rehooked the battery It could be any thing from an o2 sensor to a mass air flow sensor. They can creat major problems down the road. I think your best bet would be next time it happens go straight to a good mechanic that you know and have him put a scanner on it.It could save you a lot of money.

ampersat · 02-10-2004, 06:14 PM

I wouldn't worry about it. It's not unheard of for the manufacturer to set an odometer trip for the check engine light just to get your in for "regularly scheduled service".

Besides, if something is actually wrong with your truck, shouldn't the check engine light come back on? Isn't that its job in life?

1pump · 02-10-2004, 06:21 PM

If it comes back, that means you're getting a "hard" fault code.
I wouldn't worry about it until then. A lot of makes have 60K presets for dealer service. My Ford did. At 52K, you were getting close.

skahorse · 02-10-2004, 11:24 PM

On this same topic, if your "check engine" light does come on, you can take it to a local "convienance" auto parts store that has many locations around the city. (If you want the name, shoot me a PM.)

My '97 Civic had it's light come on, I took it to this store, found out that the 02 sensor went out. The guy at the store told me where to make the change, and how easy it was(basically like changing a spark plug). Saved me hundreds.(Part was $99, and Honda quoted me $300+)

--Skahorse