2002 Camry Check Engine Light

[hartofalyon]

As I was driving today, the check engine light came on. I brought it to my local mechanic and he told me the problem was with a bad o2 sensor and the catalytic converter. He also told me that this was going to cost about $1,000 to fix, however, he did not pressure me into it.

Now, does it really cost $1,000 to fix these problems? Also, with a large job like this, is it beneficial to go to a dealer instead of a local garage (OEM parts and such)? Also, anyone know of a good toyota dealer service center that's reliable and honest around the NYC area? The closest one to me is star-toyota.

Thanks.

[Brian R.]

It is not likely that it is both the HO2 sensor and the cat. converter. Get another opinion. Any good mechanic can troubleshoot that problem.

[xfeejayx]

Take it to an autozone. They check the codes for free.

[hartofalyon]

Hey thanks for the posts. I was going to borrow my friends code reader to check myself, however today while driving around, the check engine light disappeared. Not sure what that's about. Anyone?

Also, the acceleration is kinda loud, sounds like a loud muffler. Not too loud, but loud enough to notice. Also, there is this high pitched squeel everytime I accelerate along with the loud muffler/engine sound. Can anyone chime in on that too?

Thanks guys.

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by hartofalyon

Hey thanks for the posts. I was going to borrow my friends code reader to check myself, however today while driving around, the check engine light disappeared. Not sure what that's about. Anyone?

Also, the acceleration is kinda loud, sounds like a loud muffler. Not too loud, but loud enough to notice. Also, there is this high pitched squeel everytime I accelerate along with the loud muffler/engine sound. Can anyone chime in on that too?

Thanks guys.

Get the code read, even though it has disappeared. The code will stay in the computer's memory until it is erased. Then you will have a better understanding of what is happening. In my experience, most likely the code will return. I have seen marginal O2 sensors do this, on and off for a while; but that's really just a guess. Go to Autozone and get it read or borrow your friend's code reader and do it yourself.

The high pitched squeal is most likely a loose belt or a waterpump going bad, but again those are only guesses. Without hearing the squeal firsthand, it is difficult to do anything more than guess. The loud muffler/engine sound is probably a leak somewhere in the exhaust system.

Mike