LC100 check engine light on, but everything seems OK?

[Dazed & Confused]

Hi,

Just been to see an LC100 (1999, 4.2 diesel), and the check engine light is on. It's not flashing, and it drives absolutely fine. It's a great vehicle, if it wasn't for that 1 light.

Is this a really bad sign, or is this likely an emissions sensor or something minor? Is it a common issue? Another one I'm considering also has the same issue, according to the owner.

Basically, given it looks in great condition everywhere else, and has been fully serviced, is it worth investigating further, or should I just back away now?

Thanks!

 

[jmodz]

Being from the US I’m not familiar with the 4.2, but if everything else looks great on the vehicle I’d say it’s worth investigating further. Take it to a mechanic and find out exactly what it is on for, and how much it is to fix and try and bargain with that in mind. A 20 year old vehicle won’t be perfect and will inevitably have some issues, so even if you find one without the check engine light on, that doesn’t mean it’ll be any more reliable in the long run.

 

[redthies]

A simple hook up to a code reader will tell any decent tech what is going on. As jmodz said, if you find a similar LC without a code, it doesn’t mean it won’t throw one tomorrow. Buy the best condition and best maintained rig you can find. I don’t get too obsessed with history. If a vehicle looks maintained, and runs well, I’m usually happy with that. I’d rather buy something slightly less than perfect from someone I get a good feeling about, than a possibly nicer one from someone with a messy yard and crappy attitude.

My 100 has a CEL lit. It is exactly as I suspected, a very simple O2 sensor issue. I may be burning a tiny bit more fuel due to that, but I’m in no rush to fix it as it’s cold and snowy this week.

 

[Dazed & Confused]

Amazing, thanks guys. Very good points about current vs future issues.

>A simple hook up to a code reader will tell any decent tech what is going on.

I think the issue is that age vehicle doesn't have OBD-II, but Toyota's own M-ODB or something, so not many places can read the code. Might have to take to Toyota.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[CSG]

I would occasionally get the light and it turned out to be emissions related. Finally replaced a sensor and all is well.