1999 TOYOTA COROLLA check engine light

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Tire surface and wheel nuts
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage
or excessive wear. See Chapter 7- 2 for
additional information. When checking the
tires, make sure no nuts are missing, and
check the nuts for looseness. Tighten
them if necessary.
Tire rotation
Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500
miles). See Chapter 7- 2 for additional in-
formation.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa-
ter or other fluid after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. If you smell fuel
fumes or notice any leak, have the cause
found and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors including trunk lid
operate smoothly and all latches lock se-
curely. Make sure the engine hood sec-
ondary latch secures the hood from open-
ing when the primary latch is released.
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing periodic
services, cleaning the vehicle, etc.Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights
are all working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly.
Steering wheel
Be alert for changes in steering condition,
such as hard steering or strange noise.
Seats
Check that all front seat controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. op-
erate smoothly and that all latches lock
securely in any position. Check that the
head restraints move up and down
smoothly and that the locks hold securely
in any latched position. For folding- down
rear seatbacks, check that the latches
lock securely.
Seat belts
Check that the seat belt system such as
buckles, retractors and anchors operate
properly and smoothly. Make sure that the
belt webbings are not cut, frayed, worn or
damaged.Accelerator pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
uneven pedal effort or catching.
Clutch pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation.
Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
that the pedal has the proper clearance.
Check the brake booster function.
Brakes
At a safe place, check that the brakes do
not pull to one side when applied.
Parking brake
Check that the lever has the proper travel
and that, on a safe incline, your vehicle
is held securely with only the parking
brake applied.
Automatic transmission ºParkº mecha-
nism
Check the lock release button of the se-
lector lever for proper and smooth opera-
tion. On a safe incline, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector
lever in ºPº position and all brakes re-
leased.
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COOLING SYSTEM
Total capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
Manual transmission
5.8 (6.1, 5.1)
Automatic transmission
5.7 (6.0, 5.0)
Coolant type:
ºToyota Long Life Coolantº or equivalent
With ethylene- glycol type coolant for a
proper corrosion protection of aluminum
components
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or
plain water alone.
BATTERY
Open voltage
* at 20C (68F):
12.6- 12.8 V Fully charged
12.2- 12.4 V Half charged
11.8- 12.0 V Discharged
*: Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after
the key is removed with all the lights
turned off
Charging rates: 5 A max.
CLUTCH
Pedal freeplay, mm (in.):
5Ð15 (0.2Ð0.6)
Fluid type:
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3MANUAL TRANSAXLE
Oil capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
1.9 (2.0, 1.7)
Oil type:
Gear oil API GL- 4 or GL- 5
Recommended oil viscosity:
SAE 75W- 90
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
Automatic transmission
Fluid capacity (drain and refill),
L (qt., Imp. qt.):
Four- speed type
Up to 3.1 (3.3, 2.7)
Three- speed type
2.5 (2.6,2.2)
Fluid type:
Automatic transmission fluid D- ll or
DEXRONIII (DEXRONII)
Differential (three- speed type only)
Fluid capacity L (qt., Imp. qt.):
1.4 (1.5, 1.2)
Fluid type:
Automatic transmission fluid D- II or
DEXRONIII (DEXRONII)BRAKES
Minimum pedal clearance when depressed
with the pressure of 490 N (50 kgf, 110 lbf)
with the engine running, mm (in.):
Vehicles with anti- lock brake system
90 (3.5)
Vehicles without anti- lock brake system
85 (3.3)
Pedal freeplay, mm (in.):
1Ð6 (0.04Ð0.24)
Pad wear limit, mm (in.):
1.0 (0.04)
Lining wear limit, mm (in.):
1.0 (0.04)
Parking brake adjustment when pulled with
the force of 196 N (20 kgf, 44 lbf):
4Ð7 clicks
Fluid type:
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3
STEERING
Wheel freeplay:
Less than 30 mm (1.2 in.)
Power steering fluid type:
Automatic transmission fluid DEXRONII
or III
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TESTING THE SYSTEM
1. Open all the windows.
2. Set the system as described above.
The doors should be locked with the
key or wireless remote control transmit-
ter. Be sure to wait until the indicator
light starts flashing.
3. Unlock any door from the inside. The
system should activate the alarm.
4. Cancel the system by unlocking any of
the doors with the key or wireless re-
mote control transmitter.
5. Repeat this operation for the other
doors, trunk and hood. When testing on
the hood, also check that the system
is activated when the battery terminal
is disconnected and then reconnected.
If the system does not work properly,
have it checked by your Toyota dealer.
Fuel tank cap
1. To open the fuel filler door, pull the
lever up.
When refueling, turn off the engine.
CAUTION

Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames when refueling.
The fumes are flammable.

When opening the cap, do not re-
move the cap quickly. In hot weath-
er, fuel under pressure could cause
injury by spraying out of the filler
neck if the cap is suddenly re-
moved.
2. To remove the fuel tank cap, turn
the cap slowly counterclockwise,
then pause slightly before removing
it. After removing the cap, hang it
on the cap hanger.
It is not unusual to hear a slight swoosh
when the cap is opened. When installing,
turn the cap clockwise till you hear a
click.
If the cap is not tightened securely, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on.
Make sure the cap is tightened securely.
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CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving
normally when the brake fluid level is
low.
If the brake fluid level is correct...
Have the warning system checked by your
Toyota dealer.
(b) Seat Belt Reminder Light and
Buzzer
The light and buzzer remind you to buckle
up the driver 's seat belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to ºONº or
ºSTARTº, the reminder light flashes and
buzzer sounds if the driver 's seat belt is
not pulled out. Unless the driver starts to
pull the shoulder belt out of the retractor,
the light keeps flashing and the buzzer
stops after about 4 to 8 seconds.
(c) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being
discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, there
is a problem somewhere in the charging
system.The engine ignition will continue to oper-
ate, however, until the battery is dis-
charged. Turn off the air conditioning,
blower, radio, etc., and drive directly to
the nearest Toyota dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine
drive belt is broken or loose.
(d) Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This lamp comes on in the following
cases.
a. The fuel tank is completely empty. (See
ºFuel gaugeº in Chapter 1- 5 for instruc-
tions.)
b. The fuel tank cap is not tightened se-
curely. (See ºFuel tank capº in Chapter
1- 2 for instructions.)
c. There is a problem somewhere in your
engine or automatic transmission electrical
system.
If it comes on while you are driving in
case c, have your vehicle checked/re-
paired by your Toyota dealer as soon as
possible.(e) Low Fuel Level Warning Light
This light comes on when the fuel level
in the tank becomes nearly empty. Fill up
the tank as soon as possible.
On inclines or curves, due to the move-
ment of fuel in the tank, the low fuel level
warning light may come on earlier than
usual.
(f) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light warns that the engine oil pres-
sure is too low.
If it flickers or stays on while you are
driving, pull off the road to a safe place
and stop the engine immediately. Call a
Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for
assistance.
The light may occasionally flicker when
the engine is idling or it may come on
briefly after a hard stop. There is no
cause for concern if it then goes out when
the engine is accelerated slightly.
The light may come on when the oil level
is extremely low. It is not designed to
indicate low oil level, and the oil level
must be checked using the level dipstick.
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NOTICE
Do not drive the vehicle with the
warning light onÐeven for one block.
It may ruin the engine.
(g) ºABSº Warning Light
This light warns that there is a problem
somewhere in your anti- lock brake sys-
tem.
If the light comes on while you are driv-
ing, have your vehicle checked by your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
The light will come on when the ignition
key is turned to the ºONº position. After
a few seconds, the light will go off.
When the ºABSº warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
brake system operates conventionally but
anti- lock brake system is not assisting
brake performance so that the wheels can
lock- up during sudden braking or braking
on slippery road surfaces.
(h) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the doors
and back door are completely closed.(i) SRS Airbag Warning Light
This light will come on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ºACCº or
ºONº position. After about 6 seconds,
the light will go off. This means the
system of the airbag and front seat belt
pretensioners are operating properly.
The warning light system monitors the air-
bag sensor assembly, seat belt pretension-
er assembly, inflators, warning light, inter-
connecting wiring, power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction somewhere in
the parts monitored by the warning light
system. Contact your Toyota dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.

The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ºACCº or
ºONº position or remains on.

The light comes on while driving.
(j) Low Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Warning Light
The light warns that the windshield washer
fluid level is too low. Add washer fluid at
your earliest opportunity. (For instructions,
see ºAdding washer fluidº in Chapter 7- 3.)(k) Key Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer reminds you to remove the
key when you open the driver 's door with
the ignition key in the ºACCº or ºLOCKº
position.
(l) Light Reminder Buzzer
This buzzer will sound if the head light
switch is left on and the driver's door is
opened with the key removed from the
ignition switch.
CHECKING SERVICE REMINDER INDICA-
TORS (except the low fuel level warning
light and low windshield washer fluid
level warning light)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Open one of the side doors or back
door.
The open door warning light should
come on.
3. Close the door.
The open door warning light should go
off.
4. Turn the ignition key to ºACCº.
The SRS airbag warning light should
come on. It goes off after about 6 sec-
onds.
5. Turn the ignition key to ºONº, but do
not start the engine.
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If the preset speed automatically cancels
out other than for the above cases, have
your vehicle checked by your Toyota deal-
er at the earliest opportunity.
RESETTING AT A FASTER SPEED
Push the lever up in the ºRES/ACCº direc-
tion and hold it. Release the lever when
the desired speed is attained. While the
lever is held up, the vehicle will gradually
gain speed.
However, a faster way to reset is to ac-
celerate the vehicle and then push the
lever down in the ºSET/COASTº direction.
RESETTING AT A SLOWER SPEED
Push the lever down in the ºSET/COASTº
direction and hold it. Release the lever
when the desired speed is attained. While
the lever is held down, the vehicle speed
will gradually decrease.
However, a faster way to reset is to de-
press the brake pedal and then push the
lever down in the ºSET/COASTº direction.On vehicles with 4- speed automatic trans-
mission, even if you turn off the overdrive
switch, with the cruise control on, engine
braking will not be applied because the
cruise control is not cancelled. To de-
crease the vehicle speed, reset to a slow-
er speed with the cruise control lever or
depress the brake pedal. If you use the
brake pedal, cruise control is cancelled.
RESUMING THE PRESET SPEED
If the preset speed is cancelled by pulling
the control lever or by depressing the
brake pedal or clutch pedal, pushing the
lever up in the ºRES/ACCº direction will
restore the speed set prior to cancellation.
However, once the vehicle speed falls be-
low about 40 km/h (25 mph), the preset
speed will not be resumed.
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE WARNING
If the ºCRUISEº indicator light in the
instrument cluster flashes when using the
cruise control, press the ºCRUISE
ON´OFFº button to turn the system off and
then press it again to turn it on.
If any of the following conditions then oc-
curs, there is some trouble in the cruise
control system.The indicator light does not come on.
The indicator light flashes again.
The indicator light goes out after it
comes on.
If this is the case, contact your Toyota
dealer and have your vehicle inspected.
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Part 7
DO- IT- YOURSELF
MAINTENANCEÐ
Chapter 7- 2
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level
Checking the engine coolant
level
Checking brake fluid
Checking power steering fluid
Checking tire pressure
Checking and replacing tires
Rotating tires
Installing snow tires and chains
Replacing wheels
Aluminum wheel precautions
Checking the engine oil level
Low level Full level
Add oilO.K. Too full
With the engine at operating tempera-
ture and turned off, check the oil level
on the dipstick.
1. To get a true reading, the vehicle
should be on a level spot. After turning
off the engine, wait a few minutes for
the oil to drain back into the bottom of
the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe it clean
with a rag.
3. Reinsert the dipstickÐpush it in as far
as it will go, or the reading will not be
correct.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil
level on the end.If the oil level is below or only slightly
above the low level, add engine oil of
the same type as already in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add engine
oil in small quantities at a time, checking
the dipstick.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to
fill between the low level and the full level
on the dipstick is indicated below for ref-
erence.
When the level reaches within the correct
range, install the filler cap hand- tight.
Oil quantity, L (qt., lmp. qt.):
1.3 (1.4, 1.1)
NOTICE

Avoid overfilling, or the engine
could be damaged.

Check the oil level on the dipstick
once again after adding the oil.
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ÐChecking battery exterior
TerminalsGround cable
Hold- down
clamp
Check the battery for corroded or loose
terminal connections, cracks, or loose
hold- down clamp.
a. If the battery is corroded, wash it off
with a solution of warm water and bak-
ing soda. Coat the outside of the termi-
nals with grease to prevent further cor-
rosion.
b. If the terminal connections are loose,
tighten their clamp nutsÐbut do not
overtighten.
c. Tighten the hold- down clamp only
enough to keep the battery firmly in
place. Overtightening may damage the
battery case.
NOTICE

Be sure the engine and all accesso-
ries are off before performing main-
tenance.

When checking the battery, remove
the ground cable from the negative
terminal (º- º mark) first and rein-
stall it last.

Be careful not to cause a short cir-
cuit with tools.

Take care no solution gets into the
battery when washing it.
ÐChecking battery fluid
Ty p e A
Ty p e BGreen DarkClear or light
yellow
Blue
White Red
CHECKING BY THE HYDROMETER
Check the battery condition by the
hydrometer color.
Hydrometer colorConditionTy p e ATy p e BCondition
GREENBLUEGood
DARKWHITECharging necessary.
Have battery checked
by your Toyota dealer.
CLEAR
or
LIGHT
YELLOW
REDHave battery checked
by your Toyota dealer.
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