Airport Parked for 6 Days - Check Engine Light

You can get the code read (and cleared) at most any auto parts store. Although unlikely, if it is one they can't see because it's a Toyota specific code, you would need to go to the dealer.

GOOD LUCK!

 

How many times have you used it since then ?
How old is the 12 v battery ? Probably a sign that it needs some attention.......like replacement.

 

I know this is simple, but did you try to remove the gas cap, let any built up air escape and put it back on? Just a guess...

Also, check your fluid levels. While the car is on, remove the cap from your inverter fluid and check for turbulence. That will determine if your inverter pump is working....

Any noticeable change in performance?

 

No. Also, if you truly believe that there is no actual problem, you could disconnect your 12 volt for a few minutes to clear the codes, however, you may have to reprogram your radio stations...

 

How many years has it been since volatile memory went out of fashion? With the price of flash RAM cheap as dirt, it seems like they are going out of their way to use 70s technology to store the settings in the radio. I'm sure there may be a technical explanation for this, but I can't imagine what it would be.

 

Actually normal RAM is volatile memory. Memory being volatile means that its information is lost if it loses power. Audi did use one stereo head unit with non-volatile memory but unfortunately they made it in a way that it always stored everything in the memory. So for instance if you rolled volume up and down it did store volume to EEPROM chip tens of times. And EEPROM has only 10 000…100 000 safe lifetime. So almost all of those head units have failed.

 

I have a clock-radio that uses volatile memory to store settings when it's not plugged into power. Every time I plug it in, it sets itself to the correct time, from an internal clock, kept running from a small battery. It cost me $30 in 2007, and it still keeps perfect time. It's hard for me to believe the same thing couldn't be incorporated into an automotive application, that's all.

 

First, not sure you can believe the dealer.
Second, it sounds more and more like you don't run the car enough to keep the battery charged.
At the very least, you need the battery and charging voltage tested.
A small automatic charger also is highly recommended; if your battery is not worn out, getting it fully charged and keeping it there might eliminate most of your problems and allow another year or two with the present battery.

 

Absolutely, that's how it works. It's meant to stay charged when you drive it regularly, but when it sits for long periods, it can discharge for various reasons. Too many discharges (and recharges) can shorten it's life considerably. If this is the normal pattern of use for your battery, you should be using a battery-maintainer or a battery that can better withstand deep-discharges.

 

Good post but this statement could be a little misleading.
The driving pattern that he said "daily for at least an hour" absolutely should keep the battery charged......so it NEEDS to be tested.
The seller could have put in a cheap battery or outright lied to him or something could have happened to it in the past year.
OR the problem might not be the battery at all.
IT NEEDS A DIAGNOSTIC VISIT.

 

That's right. I misread it as him driving it infrequently, which is not the case.

 

It might. The aux battery isn't very large, and something like a security system, a remote starter or some other accessory might draw it down in 6 days. There's also the possibility of internal discharging or corrosion somewhere causing a slow shorting drain.

 

Sounds like the warning triggered by a loose gas cap. Tightening the cap (fixing the problem) and driving for a few days will shut the light off.