check engine warning light

[harveyc]

Hi can anyone help please?

I have a Toyota Auris 2009.

One of the warning lights came on yesterday, its a picture of the engine and the words 'check engine'
What should i be checking regarding the engine? Its not oil or water as they are fine.

I would rather not if I can help it go to a garage because they charge a fair bit to check the Car diagnostics with their machine.


Any ideas please?

[kellys_eye]

A DIY diagnostic 'box' can cost under a tenner - even the cheapo 'dodgy' Chinese version work (to an extent) and will (possibly) reveal what your problem is.

There are so many possibilities that asking us to 'guess' is pointless and the ONLY practical method is to use one of those diagnostic devices. It can also be used to reset the engine warning light.

Ask around. If you have any friends that are into cars they'll inevitably have one - they're that common these days.

[harveyc]

Thanks for that Kellys_eye,
I didn't realise I could buy a box for around a tenner.
I'll have a look to try and find one.

[harveyc]

Well I got my hands on a friends code reader and have found the fault.
Its code P0138 O2 sensor circuit high volts (bank 1 sensor 2)

I am in no way mechanically minded so maybe someone could tell me if its ok to drive around with this fault 9which I have been for a week now) or is it something serious that needs sorting asap?
Or is it something I can ignore?

My car will be at the garage in February for its MOT so can it wait until then?

Thanks

[dewaltdisney]

This yank site explains https://www.obd-codes.com/p0138. I am no expert but it looks like an oxygen sensor and this may not be detrimental to anything other than the environment as the cars catalytic converter might be dodgy. Probably just the sensor? Need to get it checked by a pro I guess.

DWD

[kellys_eye]

Such sensors are between £40 to £80 to purchase and takes only a few minutes to fit (minimum charge would be 1/2 hour I suspect) so based on £60/hour labour you're looking at around £100-£120 for a repair.

[Bob225]

Don't fit cheap o2 sensors stick with NTK, Bosch or in the case of Toyota, Denso (A quick look the Bosch item is £123 without any discount) buy Cheap, Buy twice

If you drive to long with a bad o2 sensor you may damage the cat

It needs diagnosing correctly as it could be a related issue the code is just a symptom

[wine~o]

Better sorted sooner rather than leave it. Lambda sensor (O2) is there and needed for a reason, protects the catalytic convertor ...

Lambda sensor maybe £200 fitted, last time I looked (10 years ago) catalytic convertors started at £ 600 plus fitting.