Check engine light

Joekingiam · 04-01-2009, 09:18 AM

Hi,
I was on my way to get gas in my 2000MT and ran out, I coasted and sputtered for about a mile until finally completely dying out. After refueling I have a check engine light.
I changed the lower sensor because autozone said it probably was the one. The light is coming back on even after clearing the code and driving about 30 - 40 miles?
Any ideas what happened from running out of gas? Did something get corroded from the bottom of the tank? Is there a Maf sensor like my Prius has?
Joe

budomove · 04-01-2009, 10:27 AM

Is the o2 sensor a 5 wire?
Did you buy it from autozone?
what is the new code?
The problem could also be the cat.

**Hybrid-Battery-Repair** · 04-01-2009, 07:26 PM

Please tell us what codes you have now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joekingiam

Hi,
I was on my way to get gas in my 2000MT and ran out, I coasted and sputtered for about a mile until finally completely dying out. After refueling I have a check engine light.
I changed the lower sensor because autozone said it probably was the one. The light is coming back on even after clearing the code and driving about 30 - 40 miles?
Any ideas what happened from running out of gas? Did something get corroded from the bottom of the tank? Is there a Maf sensor like my Prius has?
Joe

Joekingiam · 04-02-2009, 08:43 AM

Hi,
The sensor is a 4 wire.
Joe

Joekingiam · 04-11-2009, 10:24 AM

hi,
The bottom sensor is a 4 wire and the top is a five. Is there a maf sensor?
Joe

biododge1 · 04-11-2009, 10:48 AM

No maf on this car. Without the code(s), it's a guessing game-go to autozone-free scan. why toss a few hundred into a part ( o2) when it may be as simple as a gas cap $10-30

Also, did the guy at autozone actually scan the car, or did he take his best guess as to what it was?
I also recommend a FACTORY service manual. These are gold when working on any car. Lots of times companion codes are stored-and they need to be addressed per the steps in the manual

**Hybrid-Battery-Repair** · 04-11-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joekingiam

Hi,
I was on my way to get gas in my 2000MT and ran out, I coasted and sputtered for about a mile until finally completely dying out. After refueling I have a check engine light.
I changed the lower sensor because autozone said it probably was the one. The light is coming back on even after clearing the code and driving about 30 - 40 miles?
Any ideas what happened from running out of gas? Did something get corroded from the bottom of the tank? Is there a Maf sensor like my Prius has?
Joe

Okay. Here is what i suggest. Put back the original sensors if you've changed them, clear the code and drive the car. If the code comes back, tell us here. There is a recall covering an ECM upgrade because some of the early ECMs throw a false P0420. This is a covered repair and I'm not sure it has an expiration. For that matter, the catalytic converter (which is most likely the problem) is covered by a federal emissions warranty until 80K miles for all cars (even salvage ones).

Joekingiam · 04-13-2009, 09:55 AM

Thanks for the input, I'll do some more troubleshooting and let you know

My02Insight · 06-05-2009, 11:19 PM

Hey, I have that p0420 code on mine. What does it mean and how do i fix it. I have a clean title 2001 mt with 175k miles. Anything could help. thanks, TIM

**satchel** · 06-05-2009, 11:53 PM

The sticky at the top of the problems and troubleshooting section of the forum describes the service bulletin. They'll flash the ECM to make the NOX sensor less sensitive but it may be a precursor to a cat going bad. When I bought my 02 in January I asked the service manager if the car had all updates and he specifically mentioned the 0420 code. I started getting the 0420 about a month ago and asked the service manager about it last week. He said they'd look at it and the service was goodwill till around 100,000miles. If it's a bad cat I'd like to see it go before I hit 80,000. I don't know if they'd pay for it or not after that. This car already had one replaced at around 30,000.

edit: In rereading the SB I see the 00-01 model ECM aren't flashable so you would be looking at a new ECM unless it's already been replaced! Of course you could get a Scangauge for much less and just clear the code yourself. I think the Scangauge more than pays for itself by being able to read codes yourself, not to mention a leanburn gauge and all the other 30-40 gauges available!