Re: TOY: Check engine light on '97 Tacoma 4wd ?

["Erik Bibelheimer" <thebeebs@xxxxxxx>]

> From: Peeter <peeter@aldus.ee>
> I agree with Brad, sounds like the computer to me too. It's very easy to
> check and reset your self. I've done it on my '87 4runner a couple of
> times. You just cross connect two terminals and a light starts blicking a
> code. Helps to have the shop manual for decodeing. Check out this site:
> http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/codes/

A '97 will have OBD-II, so you can't simply short some terminals to get the
code any more. You have to have an OBDII scan tool to pull codes, or have 
a shop do it for you.  I bought an Autotap (www.autotap.com, www.obdii.com)
scan tool to use on my T100.

It could be anything that set off the code, but its usually something
simple.  You can pull the EFI fuse for 30 seconds or so if you just want to
reset the computer to see if the code gets tripped again.  However if the
problem is gone, the check engine light will go back off on its own after a
few "driving cycles."  Even though the light goes out, the error code will
still be stored in the computer for future reference/troubleshooting if you
don't pull the fuse.

- Erik Bibelheimer, Citrus Heights, CA
'86 4Runner, '97 T100
http://home.off-road.com/~bibelheimer