1997 Camry Check Engine

[stephiemullen]

Ok, the check engine light came on for an EGR problem before the engine rod blew and it needed a replacement engine. Then after the replacement, it came on again shortly for the engine running lean. We changed the fuel filter which seemed to be the problem from the specs that the scan tool indicated (engine load, temp, speed, etc). The light turned off again on its own after replacing that...and now its been on again and the code came up as an A/F Sensor. We replaced that one with the one from the old engine which was still good and the light will not turn off. The fuel smell is gone that we smelt on the highway before, but the check engine light is turning into a big headache. Has anyone experienced this where the light just keeps coming on for everything at once?

[roady94]

- Interesting situation. I had the EXACT series of events, including the rod break. Got a nice motor from a 2000 Solara in it now.

The only way I got the light to go off was to change the vacuum switching sensor for the emissions. The old one wouldn't hold a vacuum. New one worked great for a few days, then the same light, and the new one would no longer hold a vacuum. $30 part.

I plugged the vacuum line to the egr to get a decent idle out of the thing. I'll need a complete fix soon because I have an emissions deadline to meet.

I'm gonna bite the bullet and take it to the stealership. I'll post the results here for all to see.

[lorensmith]

I recently began having similar check engine light problems on my 97 XLE. I have less than 60K miles on it. Everytime the dealership says an emissions control sensor is defective. Problem is, every time they "fix it", the check engine light pops back on after a few miles. I take it in, they replace another sensor for another $300, and the light is off for only a few miles. Does anyone know if there is some way to just shut the damn light off manually without taking a hammer to it?

I just got a call from the dealership saying the new problem is the vacuum switching valve, a $70 part + labor. The last episode a few days ago, it was an oxygen sensor for $80 + labor. Does anyone know what the life-expectancy should be for these parts?

(Fortunately no blown rods yet, though.)

[Mike Gerber]

No, you can't just shut the light off.

The next time the light comes on, I would take the car to Autozone and have them read the code. They will do this for free.

Mike