![]() 03/08/2014 at 23:37 • Filed to: None | ![]() | ![]() |
On an old Echo owned by a family friend.
She was complaining about her check engine light not turning off, and asked if disabling the light was worth it.
I connected my trusty, cheap scantool, and FIVE errors popped up. She told me a mechanic told her the repairs weren't worth it on the parts that were causing those errors.
The codes were the following; P0550, P0441, P0442, P0443, P0456. I've been reading that the P04XXX errors are common on Toyotas, mainly because another friend with a '03 Corolla had a P0442 this summer, and that was caused by a rusty fuel filler neck lip.
After clearing, the only code that stuck was the P0550, the engine was warm at this time, so I took the car for a fairly lively test drive around her block, and the P0550 was still the only error there. I also noticed the rear suspension needed new bushings on one side, as it was squeaking quite a bit.
P0550 is the code for "Power steering sensor circuit malfunctioning"
I told her that I could check the code again in a few days to see if anything shows up differently.
![]() 03/08/2014 at 23:46 |
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The P0xx codes will probably show back up in a few days. The series of codes says, to me, that the purge solenoid has gone bad.
Although it may not cause any immediate troubles, a faulty purge solenoid can cause further damage to the EVAP system, causing a loss in fuel economy and slight power loss. I'd recommend getting it taken care of in the near future.
![]() 03/08/2014 at 23:49 |
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She told me it's been like that for 3 years now, and that's when she told me the mechanic said it wasn't worth it. Perhaps the damage already happened.
![]() 03/30/2014 at 11:47 |
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My wife's Echo has P0442, P0443. Even though you cleared those codes, they will probably come back in a few weeks. In my opinion, not worth hunting down the gremlin causing it...I don't see it as affecting performance, gas mileage on our car. Your friend could try a new gas cap, and if that doesn't do it, black tape over the CEL.
![]() 03/30/2014 at 14:42 |
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I already followed up last night, 3 weeks after I made this post. The P04XX codes did not show up, and the only one was the same P0550 as before.