sputtering problem and check engine light problem, advice please?

Question

my car will sputter and sound awful, ive replaced the spark plugs and it fixed it for a while but now its back. The really weird thing is that it doesnt always happen. ive literally taking off my distributor cap and put back on without doing anything and when i started the car it ran fine, atleast for a little while. Also my chack engine light is on and toyota decided to make a different type of diagnosis plug that i cant seem to get my hands on. any suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer 1

What year is your Toyota? If it is 1995 or older, you don't need a code reader or scanner. You can retrieve the codes by following the directions discussed here----->

http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/obd-i/bl-dtcs-36.htm

Scroll down below the descriptions and follow the procedure for retrieving the codes. The connector is under the hood, usually on the left (driver's) side.
If it is 1996 or newer, it is OBD II compliant, and you can usually ask the nice folks at AutoZone, Advanced, O'Reilly's, Kragen (??????) to read them for you.
With the codes in hand, sit down with a repair manual and read the proper DIAGNOSTICS for the circuits that are involved. DO NOT assume that a code for the EGR system means that you should replace the EGR valve. It only indicates that there is a fault noted in that system, and DIAGNOSTICS are called for. It COULD just be a vacuum line or a sensor.
Save some money, time, effort and frustration. Follow the trouble-tree.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Check for any vaccum leaks. cars are often misdiagnosed because the mechanic doesn't know enough about what they're doing.

An easy way to check is to buy a couple cans of Brakekleen or any type of throttle body/carb cleaner, and w/ the engine running, spray, in short bursts, around all vaccum hoses and all gaskets. If the engine revs up, there's your leak!!!

Answer 3

get it scanned from a shop. They should have the fittings and will read the code. Sounds like a bad o2 sensor,