Check Engine Light Error Code Warning for Toyota Owners

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Here’s a great example of why you have to have a second opinion when it comes to repairs from a dealership with the diagnosis that your vehicle is beyond fixing and in need of a new engine based on a check engine light error code. Plus, why having regular maintenance done on your vehicle is no guarantee that it was done correctly by a dealership and can actually make things worse for your car.

Misdiagnosis Fail for Avalon Owner

According to the host of a recent Car Care Nut YouTube channel episode, don’t always believe that a dealership and its mechanic are correct when it comes to repairs that involve a total engine replacement.

Related article: Two Service Center Mechanic Scams That Are Easy to Spot If You Know Where to Look Under the Hood

That was the message in a recent warning from a Toyota expert who showcased a 2007 Toyota Avalon with 281,000 miles on it that the owner tried to get repairs on for an intermittent idling problem. The host reveals that the dealership said the vehicle was beyond repair and would require a new engine---all presumably because of engine error codes pointing toward a problem between the camshaft/crankshaft timing.

Are two error codes enough to condemn an engine to the junkyard?

Find out now the answer to this question and why error codes are not always death codes. Plus, how some dealerships---either through incompetence or malfeasance---scare car owners into replacing an engine or agree to high repair bills.

Car owners should always get a second opinion when it comes to major repairs especially those that involve replacing components that otherwise seem to run perfectly fine,” stated the Toyota expert.

Toyota Owners! Always Get a Second Opinion on Big Repairs! Almost Totaled!

And finally…

For additional articles related to Toyota repairs, here are a few for your consideration:

Prius Owner Repair Warning from Toyota Mechanic

Toyota Tacoma Common Problems to Watch Out for Explained by This Toyota Expert

Why You Cannot Trust Your Car’s Maintenance Recommendations

COMING UP NEXT: Best Used Cars and SUVs for Less Than $5,000 Recommended by Consumer Reports

Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.

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Submitted by Zanne Goldwire (not verified) on January 21, 2023 - 8:49PM

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I'm interested in knowing what would cause the alternator of a 2010 Scion XD to go out. A new one was replaced with same results within a few months of installation.I was told it could be a likely a computer issue of dioxide with the alternator...just troubleshooting and need to know if it could be any thing else. I'll likely get a diagnostic test, but wanted to know what to look for and/or expect. Thanks in advance for any info or suggestions.