Check Engine Light - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

MacNH · 03-31-2016, 01:59 PM

I've had the car on the road for about 40 days and the CEL came on. Code said Cam stuff (can't recall actual wording) I bought from a private dealer and will be bringing it to them for servicing (warranty thing)
My question is can I drive it 60 miles to the dealer with the CEL on? I have an 8am appointment tomorrow.

I love the car and I've had fun driving it. Just looking for guidance. I know a lot of people have had the CEL issue here so I hope they can help me.

Tcoat · 03-31-2016, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacNH

I've had the car on the road for about 40 days and the CEL came on. Code said Cam stuff (can't recall actual wording) I bought from a private dealer and will be bringing it to them for servicing (warranty thing)
My question is can I drive it 60 miles to the dealer with the CEL on? I have an 8am appointment tomorrow.

I love the car and I've had fun driving it. Just looking for guidance. I know a lot of people have had the CEL issue here so I hope they can help me.

Well that is a tough call to be honest. "Cam stuff" could mean a minor sensor issue all the way up to and including you are gonna push a valve through the block (very worst case don't panic).
If the car has not gone into "limp mode" where it restricts revs and power you are probably just fine. Make sure you take it easy though.

Th3rdSun · 03-31-2016, 02:06 PM

The CEL isn't a timer for a bomb and your car will explode. It should be fine,just don't drive like a jackass.

finch1750 · 03-31-2016, 02:19 PM

if limp mode has been triggered yourncruise control wont work and the vsc/trac light should stay on all the time

MacNH · 03-31-2016, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finch1750

if limp mode has been triggered yourncruise control wont work and the vsc/trac light should stay on all the time

This is what is happening. I will be limping to the garage that I now know. Thank you for the quick responses. I was tempted to clear the codes but I'm gonna leave that to the dealer

grinerizer · 03-31-2016, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacNH

This is what is happening. I will be limping to the garage that I now know. Thank you for the quick responses. I was tempted to clear the codes but I'm gonna leave that to the dealer

Your vehicle is not in limp mode.

If the CEL is flashing, do not drive the vehicle. If it is steady, it is ok to drive.

If you are in the first 3 year 36k from the original date of sale, you have roadside assistance. If it's a Toyota, this part of my reply could be false.

Also, if you are taking it to the dealer, please never clear the code prior. Our computers can see a lot of info behind the code, which most non-oem code readers can not.

Source: I'm a Subaru Service Consultant

extrashaky · 03-31-2016, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grinerizer

Your vehicle is not in limp mode.

So you're saying that when the traction light is on, the A/C and cruise are disabled and the car isn't generating full power, that's not limp mode?

'Cause if it's not limp mode, most of us on the board have been referring to this condition incorrectly for quite a while.

Tcoat · 03-31-2016, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by extrashaky

So you're saying that when the traction light is on, the A/C and cruise are disabled and the car isn't generating full power, that's not limp mode?

'Cause if it's not limp mode, most of us on the board have been referring to this condition incorrectly for quite a while.

I do not have the manual at work but am pretty sure that is what is written in there someplace. Could also just think that because I have heard it so many times though.

MacNH · 03-31-2016, 06:41 PM

I bought this used but got an extended warranty. I did not erase the codes for the exact reason you specified (good guess on my part). I may be limp mode so I will be taking my time getting there and not using the highway. The code was p0018. Crankshaft position. Crankshaft correlation. (Bank 2 sensor A). This not being a Toyota scion dealer is possibly going to make it difficult?

billwot · 03-31-2016, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacNH

I bought this used but got an extended warranty. I did not erase the codes for the exact reason you specified (good guess on my part). I may be limp mode so I will be taking my time getting there and not using the highway. The code was p0018. Crankshaft position. Crankshaft correlation. (Bank 2 sensor A). This not being aToyota scion dealer is possibly going to make it difficult?

Unless you are beyond the 5yr/60K manufacturer's drivetrain warranty, I would strongly encourage you to get it to an Toyota/Scion dealer.

grinerizer · 04-01-2016, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by extrashaky

So you're saying that when the traction light is on, the A/C and cruise are disabled and the car isn't generating full power, that's not limp mode?

'Cause if it's not limp mode, most of us on the board have been referring to this condition incorrectly for quite a while.

At what point did he mention loss of power and a/c?

Please realize, most of my training and knowledge is Subaru specific.

Every CEL that comes on in a Subaru is accompanied by other lights, and the loss of cruise control. At no point in my years of doing this, has this been referred to as "limp mode." The manual simply calls them "malfunction lamps."

My apologies for any confusion, as I know online terminology can differ from industry terms.

extrashaky · 04-01-2016, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grinerizer

At what point did he mention loss of power and a/c?

You're right, he didn't. He didn't actually clarify either way. I just assumed the loss of cruise always happened together with the diminished power and loss of A/C, since that's what has happened with mine in the past when I got the U0074 code. I was surprised then that power would be diminished for a communication code, but that wouldn't be the weirdest thing about this car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grinerizer

Every CEL that comes on in a Subaru is accompanied by other lights, and the loss of cruise control. At no point in my years of doing this, has this been referred to as "limp mode." The manual simply calls them "malfunction lamps."

My apologies for any confusion, as I know online terminology can differ from industry terms.

Which is why I asked. I learned something new.

grinerizer · 04-01-2016, 03:45 PM

There could be a .1 mm leak coming from the gas cap and the CEL can be triggered and you'd lose cruise. This is an example of what can cause the CEL to be steady.

You could have an under-performing alternator causing a misfire (aren't electronic ignitions fun?) which will cause the CEL to flash, and you to lose cruise. Flashing is bad. This is the "limp mode" you speak of. Pull over.

The area I'm in has a lot of retirees, most of my day is spent explaining CELs and telling people to tighten their gas caps. Life is awesome.

DJCarbine · 04-01-2016, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by extrashaky

So you're saying that when the traction light is on, the A/C and cruise are disabled and the car isn't generating full power, that's not limp mode?

'Cause if it's not limp mode, most of us on the board have been referring to this condition incorrectly for quite a while.

I had my secondary O2 disconnected and got a similar mode, mine was no cruise/CEL/TC but car had full power and drove as normal. I was running a wideband for a bit to monitor things, everything seemed good in logs

Maybe its like some "half limp" mode like when your prom dates parents walk in to you checking her oil on the family couch

03-31-2016, 01:59 PM	#1
MacNH Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Drives: Scion FR-s Location: New Hampshire Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Check Engine Light I've had the car on the road for about 40 days and the CEL came on. Code said Cam stuff (can't recall actual wording) I bought from a private dealer and will be bringing it to them for servicing (warranty thing) My question is can I drive it 60 miles to the dealer with the CEL on? I have an 8am appointment tomorrow. I love the car and I've had fun driving it. Just looking for guidance. I know a lot of people have had the CEL issue here so I hope they can help me.

03-31-2016, 02:19 PM	#4
finch1750 Undisputed El Presidente Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Zenki 37J ZN6 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 11,593 Thanks: 9,403 Thanked 9,411 Times in 5,270 Posts Mentioned: 374 Post(s) Tagged: 33 Thread(s)	if limp mode has been triggered yourncruise control wont work and the vsc/trac light should stay on all the time __________________ "Just like how a strut bar somehow enables you to corner 20MPH faster around a cloverleaf on-ramp, when the reality is, you can do it already but you just don't have to balls to do it." - CSG David

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Help! From check engine light to fouled plugs back to check engine + plugs refouling	larchamb	Issues \| Warranty \| Recalls / TSB	44	04-03-2016 10:39 AM
Engine Check light, Traction Control light, cruise control light all on suddenly	wqc3241	Software Tuning	2	01-10-2016 08:37 AM
Check Engine light on @5.7k miles and engine stalling at 4,000 rpms?	djdrugga24	Issues \| Warranty \| Recalls / TSB	3	06-25-2014 07:06 AM
Will I get a check engine light on if the engine bay has a direct injection failure?	Astroboy	Engine, Exhaust, Transmission	7	03-29-2014 07:16 PM
Engine sputtering while idling with check engine light flashing, WTF	speedy racer	Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 GT86 General Forum	15	08-27-2012 07:50 AM

03-31-2016, 02:06 PM	#3
Th3rdSun Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Drives: 2013 FR-S MT Hot Lava Location: Chicagoland Area Posts: 587 Thanks: 156 Thanked 309 Times in 193 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	The CEL isn't a timer for a bomb and your car will explode. It should be fine,just don't drive like a jackass.

03-31-2016, 06:41 PM	#9
MacNH Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Drives: Scion FR-s Location: New Hampshire Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I bought this used but got an extended warranty. I did not erase the codes for the exact reason you specified (good guess on my part). I may be limp mode so I will be taking my time getting there and not using the highway. The code was p0018. Crankshaft position. Crankshaft correlation. (Bank 2 sensor A). This not being a Toyota scion dealer is possibly going to make it difficult?

04-01-2016, 03:45 PM	#13
grinerizer Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Drives: 2014 Subaru BRZ Limited SWP Location: Florida Posts: 51 Thanks: 9 Thanked 54 Times in 21 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	There could be a .1 mm leak coming from the gas cap and the CEL can be triggered and you'd lose cruise. This is an example of what can cause the CEL to be steady. You could have an under-performing alternator causing a misfire (aren't electronic ignitions fun?) which will cause the CEL to flash, and you to lose cruise. Flashing is bad. This is the "limp mode" you speak of. Pull over. The area I'm in has a lot of retirees, most of my day is spent explaining CELs and telling people to tighten their gas caps. Life is awesome.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password