Got my first CEL, what’s the first step of troubleshooting?

[Dr. BRZ]

Originally Posted by FunnyGopher

I have the same setup as you, and every few months I get a P000X code that I have to go in and clear. I've checked everything over, car doesn't idle or run strangely, nothing seems to be bad. It just happens in strange braking circumstances for me.

Use your EcuTek cable, dongle, and laptop. You can go to tools > something like 'detect vehicle' > then something along the lines of 'All DTC'. You can then 'Read DTCs'. It'll output a log of the codes it read, and from what computer it read them from. There's a computer for the A/C, the ECU, etc.

I always have an A/C code thrown. I found it was for a Toyota auto climate feature that isn't even possible in our cars because of a sensor we don't have, but is in a Lexus, so I don't worry about that. Then there's a C1201, which from my understanding is the code that throws when there's a code thrown. It just tells the car to keep the check engine light on. Then the code that caused my problem. In my case, it's always the P000X codes. Once you have your code, you can lookup what the code means on the internet, and you're on your merry way.

Happy hunting.

I see your mods. Whats your dyno on e85?

[FunnyGopher]

Originally Posted by Dr. BRZ

I see your mods. Whats your dyno on e85?

Sadly, I haven't dyno'd the car with ethanol yet! I really need to. However, here's what it was able to do on AZ 91.

[shiumai]

I got my first CEL a couple of month ago. Was stopped at an intersection, pressed the throttle and the CEL started flashing and the car went into limp mode. I pulled over, shut off the car, pulled out my OBD II reader which I always keep in the glove box, read the code (P2135), then did a search on the internet on my phone what it was. Car started up fine, continued driving to work and then did my research on it.


My point is, the first step to dealing with a CEL is having a code reader in your car. It's cheap and worthit.

[stlgrym3]

Originally Posted by shiumai

I got my first CEL a couple of month ago. Was stopped at an intersection, pressed the throttle and the CEL started flashing and the car went into limp mode. I pulled over, shut off the car, pulled out my OBD II reader which I always keep in the glove box, read the code (P2135), then did a search on the internet on my phone what it was. Car started up fine, continued driving to work and then did my research on it.


My point is, the first step to dealing with a CEL is having a code reader in your car. It's cheap and worthit.

Is this something my ecutek cable and laptop can do? I don’t work on my cars so I go to reputable shops get my work done and this was the first CEL I’ve encountered since I got that set up 3 months ago. Any good ODB2 readers to recommend?

[FunnyGopher]

Originally Posted by stlgrym3

Is this something my ecutek cable and laptop can do? I don’t work on my cars so I go to reputable shops get my work done and this was the first CEL I’ve encountered since I got that set up 3 months ago. Any good ODB2 readers to recommend?

You can use your cable and laptop, just like you used it to flash the tune, to also check your codes. Just follow the instructions I provided previously. No need to buy another ODB2 reader, unless you didn't want to carry your EcuTek stuff around in your car with you at all times.

[shiumai]

Originally Posted by FunnyGopher

No need to buy another ODB2 reader, unless you didn't want to carry your EcuTek stuff around in your car with you at all times.

Or a laptop. I'm not in the habit of carrying my laptop with me.

[FunnyGopher]

Originally Posted by shiumai

Or a laptop. I'm not in the habit of carrying my laptop with me.

Also very true. I, however, am a software developer, and I do have the habit of carrying my laptop around with me. Lol. It would be nice to have like, an old netbook or something that I could leave in the glovebox. Something smaller.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by FunnyGopher

Also very true. I, however, am a software developer, and I do have the habit of carrying my laptop around with me. Lol. It would be nice to have like, an old netbook or something that I could leave in the glovebox. Something smaller.

I suggest a stocking stuffer from a loved one to you …


humfrz

[FunnyGopher]

Originally Posted by humfrz

I suggest a stocking stuffer from a loved one to you …

Heyo! That's not half bad. Thanks!