Finding out what's wrong w/ a 96 Camry??

geno

Lifer
Dec 26, 1999
25,074
4
0
Ok, my gf's stupid Camry had it's "check engine" light come on yesterday. Idles a little rougher than before (or maybe it's my imagination). I popped the hood to see if a sensor/vac line had been disconnected, and I didn't see anything. I tried listening for a vac leak, and I hear a hissing near the throttle body, don't know if it's a vac leak though. Is there any way I can pull codes from this thing without having to hook up a diagnostics tool? The motor is the 2.2 4 cyl... Anyone have a site that'll let me know what to do to find out why the light is on?
 

Walleye

Banned
Dec 1, 2002
7,939
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well, generally the light is meaningless, but if you hear a hissing near the throttle body... check for a split past the mass air flow sensor, and before the throttle body. in that big hose. that's what did it for me.

also, are you sure the vacuum tubes are hooked up correctly? that is easy to screw up.
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
4
0
Pulling codes w/o diagnostic tools is so ghetto. "cross these two wires and hook up a lightbulb, then count the number of times the lightbulb flashes, look that up in the 'lightbulb diagnostic tools handbook'..."
 

geno

Lifer
Dec 26, 1999
25,074
4
0
Originally posted by: notfred
Pulling codes w/o diagnostic tools is so ghetto. "cross these two wires and hook up a lightbulb, then count the number of times the lightbulb flashes, look that up in the 'lightbulb diagnostic tools handbook'..."

Well, I guess I have *my* car in mind when I ask how to pull codes (turn key on-off-on-off-on and it spits codes out....TADA!!! not that tough eh? ;))

also, are you sure the vacuum tubes are hooked up correctly? that is easy to screw up.
Pretty sure, this light came on for no apparent reason, and there's been no underhood work done to this car at all that I know of (and she's had this car for about 2 years.
 

Walleye

Banned
Dec 1, 2002
7,939
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um... basic maintenence? fluid change, tighten belts up.. hmm... i dont know much else that isnt tough to do.
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
5
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Originally posted by: notfred
Pulling codes w/o diagnostic tools is so ghetto. "cross these two wires and hook up a lightbulb, then count the number of times the lightbulb flashes, look that up in the 'lightbulb diagnostic tools handbook'..."

I don't believe that will work on a Toyota notfred :) Just take it to pepboys, they will pull the codes for nothing.