Help with CEL mystery

OK here goes. 96 camry 2.2...

Have had a CEL for quite some time. Took it to the mechanic ages ago who put it on the computer. Don't remember the code, but he told me it suggested a bad cat. Not needing to spend the money on that (and the two O2 sensors he said were necessary), I let it go. Just recently I passed inspection for the second time by clearing the code first.

Now obviously this car is passing emissions. The mileage does not seem to suffer either. In cold weather, I can go months without a CEL. In hot weather, it only trips on a really hot day with AC on after doing 20 minutes or more on the highway.

I don't want to spend money for no good reason. Does anyone have experience with a similar problem? Should I pursue this or just leave it alone?

Why don't you start by going to a place like Autozone when the check engine light is on, and have the code read for free. Then report back here with the code and someone should be able to offer you some advice on how to proceed.

Mike

The check engine light doesn't have to be on to pull a code. The computer stores them for a certain number of motor restarts.

But is the '96 OBD II? If not, Autozone can't pull it and it's back to the old paperclip trick.

'96 Camrys are OBDII.