Engine Warning Light Is On - What To Do? 2000 4.2 Nv 5Dr Petrol Vvti M

[BeechCustom]

Hello

I've had 16 months pleasurable and trouble free motoring in my 5dr 2000(x) 4.2 VVTi manual. It's due for a major service this month so it's going to go into the local Toyota dealer at the next opportunity.

Today I noticed the engine warning light came on and did not go off. Should I take it to the Toyota dealers or is there a cheaper route I should be looking at? Any idea what it may be? I know the petrol 4.2 is prone to o2 sensor failure. My car has already had one sensor replaced by the previous owner.

Thanks.

[anchorman]

Most likely one of the other 3 sensors. A local garage might help. It depends how adventurous you are.

[BeechCustom]

Thanks Anchorman. I've booked it in at a local garage tomorrow. The mechanic is ex Mercedes Benz and a friend of the family. He has a growing array of diagnostic equipment and is reasonably sure he'll be able to get the fault code if one is stored.

[hulahoopian]

Buy one of the plugin OBDII sensors off eBay (c. £15) and grab the smartphone app "Torque". My engine light came on last week and Torque reported one of the A/F sensors. I reset the ECU and the light stayed off. Just because you have a warning doesn't mean the reported fault is true, it just means that its measurements indicate it is (i.e. it could just be a poor earth connection).

[anchorman]

It might not work on a 2000 model. Its just a bit early I think.

[hulahoopian]

Possible he hasn't got one, I certainly have on slightly newer 51' plate 2.0 petrol. I guess he'd just have to look first.

[BeechCustom]

Very late update: turned out to be one of the O2 sensors (bank 1 I think???). Friend of the family mechanic couldn't read the codes so took it to an independent and they diagnosed and sorted it. Ended up costing just under £200 all in.

[RichT-XT3]

Hi,

Good and bad news for you. though the code says its bank1 sensor 1, in fact the sensor is fine. you will discover if you interrogate a bit further that the ECU just can't read the sensor. to fix it you need an ECU update. As usual this is available as warranty to our friends in USA but not here.

You will get the light back soon. I now read the code and so long as it stays the same simply cancel it. been doing this for the last 30k with no further trouble and MPG still 32-36 2.0 VVTi XT3

I use a proscan. £30 eBay free updates

Regards

Richard

[BeechCustom]

Engine Warning Light is back on. Should I go for an ECU update as Richard, the last poster, suggests or should I buy a code reader?

My car has full Toyota service history. Shouldn't the ECU update have already been done at some point by the main dealer who has always looked after the car? Thanks.

[BeechCustom]

Another update - took Rav into local garage and mechanic was able to get code - 'sensor 2'. He wasn't sure which one sensor 2 is but he did say it was one of the two at the front (before the cat). Both of these have been replaced recently - the last one back in April 2013 and the other (bank 2 sensor 1) in September 2010.

It therefore looks likely that the ECU needs updating rather than replacing one of these sensors. Does anyone know of a specialist in the West Mids area who can do ECU updates or am I better off taking it to Mr T?

[BeechCustom]

Just spoke to Charles Clark Toyota and they say that there is no such thing as an ECU update and that parts are only guaranteed for 12 months??? So it's possible one of the 02 sensors may be in need of replacing afterall? Any knowledgeable opinion on this would be appreciated.

[dwilson]

Hopefully Anchorman (who replied originally in post 2) will be along soon but if not you could send him a message...

I hope you get it sorted,

David

[pmb]

Another update - took Rav into local garage and mechanic was able to get code - 'sensor 2'. He wasn't sure which one sensor 2 is but he did say it was one of the two at the front (before the cat).

If it's sensor 2 then it is one of the pair after the cat (assuming you have 4 like mine) Buy a cheap code reader or look in the general forum where people with code readers will happily read the code for you. I'm a bit far away. I don't really understand why a mechanic wouldn't know which sensor it is apart from bank 1 or 2 location. Ask what the code was? Probably a heater circuit gone o/c. Unless I'm wrong and the 2000 model doesn't have an OBDII port as Anchs questioned earlier in this thread. Could you confirm whether or not it does? Big white connector if you look under the dash near the bonnet pull.

[BeechCustom]

Hey Paul. I've just had a look and I do have a white connector (looks like you could connect a scart lead up to it!) down by the bonnet release.

I'm sure the mechanic said it was 'sensor 2' and that it was one of the two sensors by the grille but he said both looked like the'd been changed recently which they have. If it's acually one of the other 02 sensors then that's another story and I'll obviously have to have it replaced.

[BeechCustom]

Just spoke to the mechanic who looked at my car yesterday. He said fault code was 'P0141' and that it was 'Bank 1, Sensor 2'. Does anyone know where this sensor is located? Thanks.

[pmb]

According to the Haynes manual the 2000 model year only had 2 sensors. The 2001 onwards models had 4 so perhaps yours is a 2001 my. If you look in the engine bay on the passenger side you will see 2 connectors one above the other that go to the sensors. The lower one goes to B1S2 , mine has a black plug whereas B1S1 has a grey one. It's fairly easy to see the connectors I am referring to as you can see the top sensors. Follow that cable to the location of the post cat sensor , you can't see it without taking the cover underneath off I don't think. I have had both B1 sensors replaced. P0141 is the usual heater circuit issue , there should be 15 ohms between the black cables but they go o/c.

[BeechCustom]

Many thanks for your help Paul. I'll have a look tomorrow. My car was registered late 2000 so it may well be a 2001 my. It's the first of the 4.2s.

I'm intending to go on holiday in the Rav on Friday for the weekend. Around 400 mile round trip. Is ist safe to drive with a faulty 02 sensor?

[Uncle_P]

Yes it's safe. I had an O2 sensor die on me and I drove around for a week before getting it sorted. No adverse effects at all.

[anchorman]

The sensors actually cross over as the manifold pipes are twisted. Have a look at 1AZ-FE in this;

4.3 oxygen sensor location.pdf

[BeechCustom]

Hello all. Back from my holiday and no problem with the EWL being on. Obviously need to sort this now. The local mechanic is saying he prefers to use NKG 02 sensors but the original units are Denso aren't they? Is this the correct one I need for Bank 1, Sensor 2? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-RAV4-AVENSIS-PICNIC-VERSO-DENSO-LAMBDA-SENSOR-89645-42090-89645-42090-/300338132715?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item45ed8c36eb

Thanks.

[gjnorthall]

It's the correct sensor. NGK and Denso are top brand sensors and either will be fine. The ones to avoid are the unknown brands or unbranded units which are often an universal type requiring wires to be joined rather than direct plug-in.

[flyboyprowler]

Hey Paul. I've just had a look and I do have a white connector (looks like you could connect a scart lead up to it!) down by the bonnet release.

I'm sure the mechanic said it was 'sensor 2' and that it was one of the two sensors by the grille but he said both looked like the'd been changed recently which they have. If it's acually one of the other 02 sensors then that's another story and I'll obviously have to have it replaced.

This problem with sensors is an old chestnut. I replaced all 4 on my 4.2, and now have the occasional light but telling me the CAT's need replacing! As others have said, there is no problem driving with the light on, or using the code reader to put the light out. If you notice a fall in consumption or rough running, then that is the time to act. As you have found, it is not cheap to replace the sensors, BUT, they are DIY, and a decent socket set, or one of the special spanners off flea bay will do the trick!

Best of luck,

Ainsley

[BeechCustom]

Update: Bank 1 Sensor 2 replaced by local garage for 103.50GB using NKG parts. Pretty happy with that. This means that, since September 2010, every 02 sensor on the car has now been replaced with the exception of Bank 2 Sensor 2. Apparently, that one is the most expensive.

Anyway, the mechanic said that four 02 sensors on a 4 cylinder engine is unusual - four or more are usually on 6 and 8 cylinder engines. I'm still loving the Rav and completely relaxed about the prospect of potential snowy conditions in the near future!