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Service engine light

Tiny
RELEEUSA
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 193,000 MILES
My 1999 4Runner threw two codes when the engine check light came on. Toyota of Greenville checked the codes and found it was the catalytic converter and also the throttle body. They fixed the throtle body and reset the codes and I took it to a muffler shop. They checked the catalytic converter, which they replaced last year, and said it was just getting old and it looked good, but will always and forever make the check engine light come on. It did. I took it back to the Toyota place and they ran the codes again and again it was the new throtle body- which they said they cleaned out. The light went off after they reset it and now the light is on again! My car is also eating up a LOT of gas but feels and runs smoothly. What should I do?

Thanks, Alli
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 10:31 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
First of all, forget the muffler shop.

You need a cat as it can no longer do the job. Aftermarket cats do not have enough precious metals to keep the light out. A factory cat or one made by bosal will solve that. They are expensive but are the right way to repair it.

As far as the rest, what was the code.

Roy
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 10:46 PM
Tiny
RELEEUSA
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  • 5 POSTS
420 was the code
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 10:50 PM
Tiny
RELEEUSA
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The code was 420.
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 10:57 PM
Tiny
RELEEUSA
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Also the muffler shop put an aftermarket cat converter on my car- welded it on. I was told the 4runners have TWO converters, but that now I only have one. Am I in some serious trouble here? Do I need two converters and can toyota do the job and how much will it cost to fix this problem? Alli
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 11:02 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Yes, you need 2 as it was factory. You dont need toyota, go to a shop and let them do it. It is cheaper.
The muffler shop is in violation of federal law for removing that one converter. It must have what the factory provided.

I would plan on about 1000 to 1200

Roy
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 11:16 PM
Tiny
RELEEUSA
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  • 5 POSTS
Can you explain why my gas mileage would be so poor due to the Cat?
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Saturday, October 15th, 2011 AT 12:45 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
If it is partially clogged, it would make the motor work much harder than normal and it would require more fuel to accomplish that.
You need to get the exhaust fixed first before looking at any other issue.

Roy
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Saturday, October 15th, 2011 AT 2:41 AM

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