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I need a little more help, please.

I have the 2012 Toyota Camry XLE 3.5L. How many O2 sensors does this car have? I'm seeing 4 being offered on some of the parts sites.

Upstream, both left and right and downstream, both left and right.

Do I need to replace ALL of them?


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For several months now, the Check Engine and Traction Control warning lights will come on. They are usually accompanied by a flickering of the Air Bag light and the Cruise Control no longer working.

The fix is usually tightening the gas cap for a couple of clicks.

The problem has started happening more often now. After the lights come on, the AC system will reset itself and erase the settings from the last use.

Last night after click the gas cap tighter, several red lights on the dash lit up - even though the engine was off.

Please, Texags Automotive Board, tell me there is an easy fix so I don't have to deal with a repair shop.

Should be able to pull a code for free. How's the battery?

Battery is fine.

I'll get new codes pulled and see.

With car running I'd turn on every available accessory (lights, wipers, radio, ac, etc.), then shut down car.

I'd then disconnect the battery for 10 minutes... shut off all acessories that were on... then reconnecting battery and, with fingers crossed, hoping that would reset or otherwise clear up the anomalies.

It's free. Takes 10 minutes. Might work.

Best wishes on an inexpensive outcome.

Edit: Replace the gas cap.

JamesPShelley said:

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With car running I'd turn on every available accessory (lights, wipers, radio, ac, etc.), then shut down car.

I'd then disconnect the battery for 10 minutes... shut off all acessories that were on... then reconnecting battery and, with fingers crossed, hoping that would reset or otherwise clear up the anomalies.

It's free. Takes 10 minutes. Might work.

Best wishes on an inexpensive outcome.

Edit: Replace the gas cap.

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Codes came back:

Anti-Lock Brake System Secondary Trouble Codes: C1201, C1381

Replace gas cap is my first step.
Next will be replace the O2 sensor

Then I have to punt to a mechanic

Wheel speed sensor mayhaps

Check the brake switch that activates the lights/abs stuff under the dash. It should be a simple plunger switch connected to a bracket behind the brake peddle.

My son's accord kept throwing ABS and Airbag codes. Replace the $5 switch and all good now.



EDIT to add, when I took the old switch out and clicked it by hand a few times, it all actually started working again but since the $5 part showed up in the mail a day later, I went ahead and put the new one in.

Good easy fix too

I vote wheel speed sensor.

Dude has some amazing nails

Dill-Ag13 said:

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Wheel speed sensor mayhaps

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This was my first guess

C1381 & C1381 are secondary codes triggered by another primary code. That's what is throwing the ABS and TC lights, pretty common for Toyota/Lexus to do.

No other codes? Could be wheel speed sensor, O2 sensor, or several other sensors

I need a little more help, please.

I have the 2012 Toyota Camry XLE 3.5L. How many O2 sensors does this car have? I'm seeing 4 being offered on some of the parts sites.

Upstream, both left and right and downstream, both left and right.

Do I need to replace ALL of them?

get OEM O2 sensors or you will be sorry

Rock auto probably has OE

New question in OP

no you don't need to replace all of them, the engine code should tell you which 'bank' which will then tell you what to replace. What is the code?

Dill-Ag13 said:

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no you don't need to replace all of them, the engine code should tell you which 'bank' which will then tell you what to replace. What is the code?

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Anti-Lock Brake System Secondary Trouble Codes: C1201, C1381

I can guarantee you it's a wheel speed sensor, that's my bet. Why are you chasing O2 sensors?

Did you replace the gas cap? The gas cap could be the source for all the codes.

Quote:

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Last night after click the gas cap tighter, several red lights on the dash lit up - even though the engine was off.

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All your lights will light up if the engine is off. This doesn't mean anything.

TexAg1987 said:

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Did you replace the gas cap? The gas cap could be the source for all the codes.

Quote:

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Last night after click the gas cap tighter, several red lights on the dash lit up - even though the engine was off.

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All your lights will light up if the engine is off. This doesn't mean anything.

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This. Replace the gas cap, clear all of the codes, drive it for a while and see if the codes show back up again. Lots of things will light up with the key to on but the engine not running.

Am I missing something. Why are y'all chasing a gas cap and O2 sensors when it's a brake system issue?

Because those codes are secondary and don't necessarily mean it is a brake issue.
Tightening the fuel cap made the lights go off originally. When there are engine control problems, sometimes the computer shuts other systems down because it can't control them correctly.

Fuel cap is a known issue. Fix it first and see if the computer gets back to normal.

Dill-Ag13 said:

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Am I missing something. Why are y'all chasing a gas cap and O2 sensors when it's a brake system issue?

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Because the gas cap is a very cheap first try and is known to start throwing odd codes when it fails or isn't tight enough. If that isn't it then you can start chasing the more expensive possibilities.

Yes, I'm trying to work the cheapest route first. I have replaced the gas cap and one of the downstream o2 sensors. I still think the gas cap might be the issue. The warning lights went off for a while, came back on late yesterday but immediately went off after filling up (for UNDER $3) and tightening the cap again.

One weird update.

After replacing the gas cap and one of the downstream O2 sensors, the lights have been off more than not.

However, I have had two strange instances where the lights came back on.

I have a sharp left turn on my way home from work. Twice in the last week as I am in the peak of the turn, if feels like my power steering goes off for a second and my radio goes off for a few seconds,

The radio not playing was one of the earliest symptoms when this first popped up months ago. Any thoughts about the turning and radio that point you to a different solution - or more convicted to one of the ones mentioned above?

TIA

aggiebrad94 said:

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One weird update.

After replacing the gas cap and one of the downstream O2 sensors, the lights have been off more than not.

However, I have had two strange instances where the lights came back on.

I have a sharp left turn on my way home from work. Twice in the last week as I am in the peak of the turn, if feels like my power steering goes off for a second and my radio goes off for a few seconds,

The radio not playing was one of the earliest symptoms when this first popped up months ago. Any thoughts about the turning and radio that point you to a different solution - or more convicted to one of the ones mentioned above?

TIA

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Me? I'm checking all the ground connections... cleaning and tightening them. Next I'm checking the battery voltage including a load test. A bad/weak battery can cause a LOT of anomalies. Those two recommendations won't cost you a dime... and you don't want to start throwing money at parts and/or labor hoping you get a hit.

Good luck, and report back.

Finally... have you posed your challenges upon an enthusiast forum (your make/model)?

aggiebrad94 said:

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One weird update.

After replacing the gas cap and one of the downstream O2 sensors, the lights have been off more than not.

However, I have had two strange instances where the lights came back on.

I have a sharp left turn on my way home from work. Twice in the last week as I am in the peak of the turn, if feels like my power steering goes off for a second and my radio goes off for a few seconds,

The radio not playing was one of the earliest symptoms when this first popped up months ago. Any thoughts about the turning and radio that point you to a different solution - or more convicted to one of the ones mentioned above?

TIA

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That screams to me that you have a loose connection somewhere.

Quote:

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Finally... have you posed your challenges upon an enthusiast forum (your make/model)?

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I just can't bring myself to be enthused enough about a 2012 Toyota Camry

any update OP?