Odd idling problem + Red Warning triangle

Ok this could take a while to explain so please bear with me cos its got me a bit worried.

A number of weeks ago the red warning triangle started to come on while driving. No apparent cause or regular pattern and it only stayed on for a few seconds and then went off. No problem. Had a chat with a few people on here and they thought it was more than likely the brake fluid level a little low. Anyway work has been really busy and havent got round to sorting it yet. Its gradually been coming on for longer and longer until day before yesterday was on for entire half hour journey (a bit worrying as im sure you can imagine).

Now heres the weird bit and it may be completely unrelated and a complete coinsidence, but i think not. Drove round to Maccy D's last night and while parked in car park eating, the car idled very low, so low in fact i thought it was gonna cut out. Made the car actually shake. Did this on a and off for bout 10 mins until i set off and it very nearly stalled, despite high revs. Then for the enxt 30 mins of driving, very slowly i might add, it actually did cut out regularly and very briefly. it was as if the car had been turned off and back on again quickly. Made the car lurch forward as it decelerated a bit, then lurch again as it started again. After bout half hour or so it stopped and havent had a problem since, although have been taking it very easy.

Basically im wondering 2 things:

1. WTF is up with it.

2. Are the triangle and the idling linked in some way.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers in advance.

Gaz

P.S. sorry for the long post but i feel its easier with as full a description as possible.

have you checked for any codes yet?????

unfortunately dont have the equipment here. would need to get it booked in at Toyota and would rather avoid there prices if possible.

you can check for fault codes using a staple mate, bridge TE1 and E1 on the diagnostics port. any other warning lights on anywhere?

No other warning lights, cars not over heating o anything like that.

Serviced recently?

Plugs, fuel filters etc?

Try a paper clip then!

It was serviced in December with full oil change and everything. Do supras have a warning light come on for when it needs a service, i know some cars do.

Smarty: So what do i do with this paper clip then?

Checking for error codes

Is it UK spec or J spec? And how's the fuel economy?

-Ian

Thanks Ian.

Was trying to find that link. Obviously didnt look very hard!!

It may have sucked up some crap from the tank or something?

Been to any dodgy filling stations? Was the fuel guage low when it happened?

Worth checking fuel filters perhaps?

Its a J-Spec. Use the same fuel from the same station every time. The warning light has been there a while now, just staying on longer and longer. The missfiring seemed to start with about just over quater of a tank left. Happened again this morning when i took it out.

Have you tried getting a code from the diagnostics port?

Am going away for the weekend but thats the first thing im gonna try on monday when im back, now that link has been posted.

Hope you get it sorted!

Me too. its getting me quite worried cos in the middle of buying firrst house so if its somat serious i aint gonna be able to afford the repairs.

Hi,

Don’t reset the ECU- this will clear the codes.

Basically the car has logged the fault as the triangle has come on.

Once you have done the error code test the fault will show up.

Sounds like a faulty sensor somewhere. Possible MAP sensor or idle control valve.

Let us know.

gaz... go out and test for codes now, it will only take you 30 sec

Just been out to check error codes and bridged the wire with a paper clip, turned ignition to 2 but the warning light doesnt flash it just stays on permenantly? Am i doing somrthing wrong.

Yep, you are doing something wrong It's not a plastic coated paperclip is it har har

But seriously, if you've done it right you'll either get a regular flash indicating no stored codes, or the code numbers will be flashed. A steady light means it's not in diagnostic mode.

Incidentally, bridging those two pins puts the engine into limp-home mode as well so don't forget to remove it afterwards...

-Ian

Is it the engine warning light that flashes and not the triangle?

From your description it sounds exactly the same as what my car did after fitting my FCD badly, and having a dry joint on the 12V to the ECU under the passenger footwell, the FCD signal was gone completely so it didn't know where to idle or what revs I was at when pulling away!

Its defo not a plastic coated one. dont know what im diong wrong though. Im assuming you dont turn the engine on fully, just turn it to position 2 when all the warning lights come on.

Also is 15W/40 oil ok for a decatted TT?

will it make it to Mascrat tonight? if so, maybe one of the other Supra owners will know how to do it properly?

Its defo not a plastic coated one. dont know what im diong wrong though. Im assuming you dont turn the engine on fully, just turn it to position 2 when all the warning lights come on.

Also is 15W/40 oil ok for a decatted TT?

So you've got pins TE1 and E1 shorted in the diag port (you've not got a VVTi I assume:) ) and you turn the ignition to position 2 *and deimmobilise the car* and the light is just lit up? Hmmm.

-Ian