synikal1022

Thanks for your input, Andy. I will make sure and follow your instructions and hope that it solves the issue.

Hope one of the experts on this forum can shed some light on my issue......today as I was driving I again noticed that the CEL light came on and my tank is a little less than half full.

I have a weird problem that pops up every now and then, first let me tell you about my car.......1998 ls400....136k miles....very well maintained....oil changes every 3k.....runs great!....gets 25-26 combined MPG....only use Chevron premium fuel. The issue is the CEL comes on only when my fuel tank is less than 1/2 full, once I fill it back up light goes off within 10mins. I thought it might be the gas cap but that was replaced and issue still there. My son and I scanned the car and it shows catalytic inefficiency, if I remember correctly the code was P0020 or P0200. It makes no sense to me that the light goes on and off depending on fuel level and I cant relate fuel level to one of the cats being bad.......Any input would be greatly appreciated.

First of all welcome......My 1998 LS is very well maintained and has over 135K on the clock and I still do 30mpg on the road doing 70-75mph.....more realistically it does combined 24-25mpg!!! Alot better than my other vehicle.

Im curious to see what some of our experts say becuz im having the same issue......mine is a 1998 ls and i experience the slight vibration when its cold only.....no codes

Apparently they tested th O2 sensors and they fall within specs.

I have an issue that I havent been able to solve..........first let me give you a little background. 1998 ls400 in pristine condition with 125k on the clock. --timing belt, water pump, plugs, wires, rotors and caps changed at 100k --tranny serviced every 30k --tires and brakes are not older than 6mos --new power steering pump and alternator done at 120k......yes i had the ever famous problem. --she gets fresh oil every 3000 miles. All services done at local toyota dealership; I know one of the guys there.......My issue is that I get a CEL light that comes on every now and then. Whats funny is that i have never been able to get it in the dealership when its on. The vehicle runs great turning in a combined mileage of 26-27mpg's.......runs smooth as silk all the time, no noticeable difference when the CEL is on. My buddy seems to think its an O2 sensor but he says they fall within specs. the fuel cap was repaced just in case and the injectors serviced and still same issue. Hoping that some of you experts can shed some light; I know its difficult without the codes.......any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank You in advance. <_<

The same thing happened to my LS; at first the buld started flickering at start up then lit up normally then it would light for a couple of minutes then went dark...........I replaced the buld, end of story. I was glad it wasnt anything serious.

If your belt is still good but glazed just add some toothpaste to the belt (groove side only) and it removes all the glazing and the belt will start gripping again.....no harm done to the belt since toothpaste has very mild abrasives......

The same thing happened on my 1998 ls, your right its very loud and annoying!.....I took it to my local toyota dealership and the rear brakes were cleaned and new pads put on. End of problem. You get what you pay for as I had the brakes done at another shop just to save some cash......bad mistake.

Thanx for all the info guys and gals. One of my buddies that works at a toyota dealership advised me that in our area premium can be very high in ethanol and that it could be messing with the oxygen sensor and causing the CEL to come on. Wish i could know without spending big bucks at the dealership :( ....other than that my car is perfect!!!!! even with 122k on it. Best vehicle i have ever owned.

Hello guys and gals.....im new to this site and it looks GREAT!!!....My issue is that my 1998 ls400 with 120k on the clock runs great with premium and with mid-grade gasolines; the issue is that with premium fuel my check engine light comes on and the techs adviced me that its a catalytic converter inefficiency......when i run mid-grade gasoline it still runs great and even gets better mileage. What gives since the car requires premium.....thanks in advance for the info. <_<