13th Aug 2007, 18:52
I have a '99 Camry that I purchased new and I followed all the recommended maintenance. At 105,000 miles, blue smoke appeared as I started the car and I spent $2,500 in repairs. Toyota reimbursed this amount to me as a result of the oil gel settlement posted on the web. Now the check engine light has been turning on and then off in intervals. My mechanic says it is probably due to one of two emissions control parts. One of the parts costs $500. I'm reading that many 99 Camry owners have had the same problem... has anyone found the solution? For now, I'm driving the car and ignoring the light.
16th Aug 2007, 11:43
I own a 97 Camry (bought it new) and it now has over 185,000 miles on it. I've been pretty happy with it for 10 years now. Recently the check engine light came on, and at first I really worried about it. I checked the gas cap, tighted it, and the check engine light went off. Problem solved I thought! But eventually it came on again. After reading so many posts here and elsewhere about the many possible problems re: check engine light, I decided to ignore it, and so I have ignored the problem for about 6 months now. Sometimes the light goes off, but then it always comes on again. I have a friend who had the same problem with her 97 Camry and her brother changed the oxygen sensor and the problem was solved. I will probably end up doing that also, and I'll let you know if that solves the problem permanently or not.
17th Aug 2007, 01:15
Thank you for the feedback re. the check engine light on my 1999 Toyota Camry. The code for the light is PO401 and is related to the EGR(could be ERG? not sure of the initials) system. However, I'm told this could indicate a faulty solenoid (sp?), EGR valve, or EGR temperature sensor. The solenoid repair is approx. $125 and the EGR valve is $500. I was told that it is safe to drive the car as long as the check engine light is not flashing. So far, the check engine light has been intermittently turning on and off over a 2 month period. My car has 112,000 miles on it and I've done all the required maintenance. Today I called Toyota corporate offices to discuss what appears to be a wide-spread problem with the check engine light and whether there was any plan to address this issue. Well, other than getting to "vent" I didn't get any assistance from Toyota.
19th Aug 2007, 08:45
They should be able to get assistance at a dealership and just pay for repairs. I take my old domestic in for service without any issue whatsoever and in many cases the pricing is competitive... I get coupons every month and have rewards programs with my GM's.
23rd Aug 2007, 19:58
I have a 2002 Toyota Camry with 48K miles on it and got the check engine light on. Autozone diagnosed the problem as a P0446 code related problem pointing to some Evaporative system/Solenoid valve problem. It appears from the above postings this does not appear to be getting resolved. Can anyone advice if it is still safe to drive around. Need to go on a road trip in a week.
Thanx.
25th Aug 2007, 13:15
I have a 1999 Camry Solara. My check engine light came on, when I took it to the dealer the first time. It was a P0446 error code vent control malfunction. They resealed the vent pipe and said it had the correct pressure. The next day, the engine light came back on. This time they said I needed to replace the Charcoal Canister for $510.00. After reading these posts and other research, I think I will wait. If anyone has any suggestions or other alternatives, please share.
3rd Sep 2007, 14:47
I have the same problem so many of you are having. My '98 Camry 4 cyl is showing the same P0446 emission code. The car seems to run fine, and in light of all your posts, I think I am going to hold off on any serious repairs. Surely Toyota will find a true fix for this soon.
In nine years and 170k miles, I have never had a single problem with this Camry, other than having to replace the timing belt at about 100k miles (obviously way overdue). Both my mother and mother-in-law also drive Camrys, and neither has ever had a problem. These are great cars, and I wouldn't let this P0446 code scare me away if I was considering buying a Camry- new or used.
6th Sep 2007, 16:20
I own a Toyota Camry 1999 LE model. The check engine light with the code P0446 has been on for sometime. After reading so many posts here, I order a oxygen sensor and see if can resolve the problem.
I try to use the code reader to erase the P0446. But it still failed at the CA state inspection. Do I need to use more sophisticated code reader to eliminate the code?
Has anybody received the class action lawsuit settlement notice? But one Toyota technician told me that the oil gel has nothing to do with this P0446.
10th Oct 2007, 11:04
I have a 2000 Camry. The check engine light came on last week. I took it to Dealer and he said the gas cap was on loose. He charged me $45 to reset the light. 2 weeks later the light comes on again and I took it back to the dealer and Now they say I need a new charcoal canister. $408.00. He told me I really did not need to worry about it. The car will be fine without it. I would just have a problem gassing up my car. My question is did anyone with this problem have the work done? And did it keep the light out? Thanks.
13th Oct 2007, 19:26
To the person with the sulfur smell, go get an emissions test immediately, at some place Other than the Toyota dealership. Catalytic converters control carbon monoxide (CO). If your CO levels are high, the catalytic converter is bad, and to the best of my knowledge, there is an 8 year, 80,000 mile federal warranty on that. Also, make sure your hydrocarbon emissions (unburnt gas molecules, indicative of the car running rich) aren't too high, because that can cause a catalytic converter to fail. Don't let Toyota play their games and deny you warranty coverage if you are entitled to it. Toyota is having a lot trouble right now because they have been putting out complete and utter garbage for the last ten years, now all the problems are now starting to come to light, and they are being forced to deal with them. They dropped the ball and it is costing them a lot of money.
14th Jun 2007, 13:49
When the check engine light came on in my 1998 camry 4 cyl, the code was P0446. A bulletin recommends checking the VSV valves which facilitate proper vapor control in the EVAP system. I bought a new VSV solenoid for the rear location from the dealership for about $90, replaced the faulty one under the rear of the car, in between the rear wheels on the chassis, had the light re-set, problem totally solved.