I have a 2000 Toyota Corolla with 125K miles on it. Within the last month, the Check Engine light has appeared. I had it diagnosed at a shop and the computer said the Oxygen Sensor and Catalytic Converter needed to be replaced and it would cost about $500. I have since taken it to a different shop, paid $260 to have the Oxygen Sensor replaced, but the light returned again after four days. When I called back, he said it probably wasn't the right %26quot;code%26quot; because Toyotas built within the last ten years don't normally have to have the Catalytic Converter replaced. Despite the fact that I work in IT, I can't comprehend that by changing a car part that is either dirty or damaged, the Check Engine light should not come back on after only four days if the car part is brand new. Now, I assume I'll have no choice but to take it to a shop, pay another $200 to replace the converter and then pray that the light does not return. Any thoughts or recomedations?
2000 Toyota Corolla - Catalytic Converter? Oxygen Sensor? Help!?
get someone else to take a scan tool to it, someone who knows how to read them. the other guy probably didnt take the time to find out what to code meant and just went by what the scan tool said, those do not tell you where exactly the problem is but is a reference tool that tells you which area should be carefully looked at. I dont even think they can tell you if your catalytic converter is bad - that does not have a sensor that the computer reads, plus there are 2 O2 sensor maybe more, he coulda changed the wrong one, some are scammers you should know that!
2000 Toyota Corolla - Catalytic Converter? Oxygen Sensor? Help!?
That guy is ripping you off and incompetent to boot. There's no such thing as a cat that's never supposed to be replaced, especially at that age, and $260 for an O2 sensor is insane. A bad cat can be the cause of your O2 sensor code.
Andy W- Where do you come up these things, and how did you get so many best answers? Have you ever bought an oxygen sensor before? An O.E. Denso cost $264.99 from AutoZone. $122.00 from Napa. How can you say the mechanic did the right thing? He should have diagnosed the catalyst efficiency with a pyrometer and verified with a gas analyzer.
Or do they still just bang on it with a hammer where you come from.
DbMay75- I sent you an e-mail if you need some real help.
if i were you, i would never go back to the mechanic that charged you $260 for an o2 sensor replacement. They are a $50 part, and they take less then 5 minutes to change. If you have a wrench (sometimes you need a propane torch) you can change the 02 sensors.
But anyways, heres the deal, when the code for the 02 sensors shows up, it just gives you a general idea of the problem. You have an 02 sensor after the cat, and im positive that is what was replaced. The faulty 02 sensor can be caused by a faulty cat, and thats exactly the problem youre having.
The mechanic did the correct thing. He replaced the cheapest part first. He cleared the codes, and everything was fine, now you find that a faulty cat is causing the same code... This mechanic was honest in the fact that he only tried screwing you on the labor, and not the original problem.
Cat convertors fail all the time...it doesnt matter how old the car is, it will happen.
$200 for a cat is a bit high, but if that includes labor, thats about normal. cats are expensive. Im sure your toyota dealer would be charging $300+ for the part alone.
But like i said, i wouldnt be using that mechanic again. $260 for an 02 sensor is nuts.
