1997 Toyota Corolla Check engine light on in summer

OMANNA

MEMBER
1997 TOYOTA COROLLA
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
83,000 MILES

The check engine light was on during summer. I had it checked with teh mechanic. They diagnose and suggested me to replace Charcoal canister and Vapour pressure sensor (total cost including labor is $700/-). The car runs very well, so I left it without chaning. Now in winter, the light went off and it is not turning on. I am in upstate NY so it gets very cold during winter. I do not know why it is not on during winter. If I give for repair now, how would I come to know that replacing those parts fixed the issue. I am planning for a long trip, so I am confused now. Please help.

Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 AT 11:29 AM

3 Replies

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

If you are saying the CEL is not coming on when you turn the ign. On, then it is more than likely a bad fuse, or a burnt out bulb.

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Wednesday, November 12th, 2008 AT 5:38 AM

OMANNA

MEMBER
2 POSTS

It is turning on when I start the car and goes off after one or two seconds. So it is not fuse or burnt out bulp.

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Monday, November 17th, 2008 AT 10:51 AM

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

You can have the car scanned for free at any autoparts store.

There are hard codes (those which keep the CEL light on all the time) intermitent codes (go on and off) and pending codes (won't set the CEL light, but are stored in the PCM's memory).

See which one(s) you have.

The code you have could very well be a loose gas cap.

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Monday, November 17th, 2008 AT 10:50 PM