2003 Camry check engine light on :(

[JOET/CAMRY]

Hello,

My Dad has a 2003 Camry 4 cylinder engine with only 36,660 miles on the odometer. About a week ago he filled the gas tank and when he restarted the engine the check engine light came on. I took it to AutoZone a few days later and had them scan the car for any codes it would have. I told the AutoZone employee (that did the scan) that the light came on right after my Dad filled the gas tank. The AutoZone employee thought the code would refer to a loose gas cap. According to Him and the printout he gave me the code read P0031

oxygen sensor heater control circuit low - bank 1 sensor 1

probable causes...........

1. open or short circuit condition.
2. poor electrical connection.
3. failed oxygen sensor.
4. EFI relay fault.

It looks like the oxygen sensor is bad according to the code but it seems very unusual considering the car has only 36,000 miles on it. The AutoZone employee told me the oxygen sensors usually fail around 100,000 miles.

Is testing an oxygen sensor with an ohmmeter a reliable way of checking to see if it is a bad part. I would hate to replace this part just to have the check engine light remain on..

Also, do I have to reset the check engine light or does it automatically go off when the problem is fixed?

Any advice and info is welcome. Thank You.

Regards,
JOET/CAMRY

[Franco2112]

Since this happened soon after the fill-up i would first check the gas cap for looseness and for a hairline crack. Replace if necessary. They don't cost much . If that does not solve the problem fill with premium. Could also be a low grade gas that caused the check engine light. If none of these fixes your problem, it's your O2 sensor. If the problem is solved the car will do a system check and the light will turn off on it's own. You can also buy a code reader and clear code. You can remove 02 sensor and take to parts store and they should be able to check it before you purchase.

[Mike Gerber]

I don't believe the type of fuel that your dad is using or the gas cap has anything to do with that code. A loose gas cap would set off some kind of an evaporative emissions system code or codes. I would look at the items the Autozone employee gave you. As far as checking on the O2 sensor itself, download the generation 5 manaul stickied at the top of this forum and see if it contains a method for checking that O2 sensor.

Mike

[somick]

Like Mike said different fuel grades have nothing to do with the code. It is of course too early for O2 sensor to go bad but everything may happen. Reset the code and see what is going to happen next. If it comes back, then you will know that your sensor is bad. Good luck, Sam

[jdmccright]

Emissions related components have a factory-backed warranty by law. If the trouble code persists, have your dealer check and replace it.

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by jdmccright

Emissions related components have a factory-backed warranty by law. If the trouble code persists, have your dealer check and replace it.

Does this law still apply considering the car is around 6 years old? Should the friendly Toyota dealer replace the sensor free of charge including labor?

JOET/CAMRY

[jdmccright]

Major emissions related components are covered by federal law for 8 years and 80k miles. Other parts are covered for 2 years or 24k miles. The complete fact sheet is here:

http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/warr95fs.txt

According to this, the O2 sensor isn't a "major" component but this was back in 1996. It certainly won't hurt to contact the dealer and tell them what is going on and why it has failed so soon mileage-wise.

The other possibility is that the wires to it have broken or shorted. A new one won't cost very much ~$50. Swap it out, clear the code and see if it reappears. If it does, then check the wiring.

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by jdmccright

Major emissions related components are covered by federal law for 8 years and 80k miles. Other parts are covered for 2 years or 24k miles. The complete fact sheet is here:

http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/warr95fs.txt

According to this, the O2 sensor isn't a "major" component but this was back in 1996. It certainly won't hurt to contact the dealer and tell them what is going on and why it has failed so soon mileage-wise.

The other possibility is that the wires to it have broken or shorted. A new one won't cost very much ~$50. Swap it out, clear the code and see if it reappears. If it does, then check the wiring.

Thanks for the info. jdmccright,

Any particular brand name O2 sensor that I should buy or stay away from? For $50.00 I assume your talking about an aftermarket sensor from AutoZone, Advanced Auto etc.

[jdmccright]

I have not read of any brand being better than the others, but Bosch and Denso come to mind. Definitely buy the OEM version versus a "universal". And yes, that's $50 from a parts store. Dealer price will probably be double, but can't hurt to call & ask. Sometimes they may surprise you when it is a common part like these. Good luck!

[late edit] Whoa...just checked price from Autozone...more like $120 for the US model and $160-200 for the Japanese version.