Sand in the tank, headlights, or electrical issues, the saga continues for the 4th time? (10/9/18)

I know on older vehicles taking the negative terminal off for 15-20 mins will reset. Not sure with this thing so I figured I'd try

 

Nurse OP - Look them seriously in the eye and ask them if they checked the Crankshaft Position Sensor for contamination or salt/sand?

An errant CPS will let the vehicle start sometimes but will not let it rev up. Just a suggestion.

 

Damn... just read this whole thing... this is ridiculous

 

You're only option at this point is to lawyer up. There are always two sides to the story, but the way Toyota and the dealership is handling this is utter BS regardless of fault. Doesn't sound like they've proven without a doubt that you were negligent besides a cellphone pic of a couple grains of sand. There should've been full documentation, pictures and otherwise presented before kicking you to the curb to your insurance company. This will be an interesting outcome.

 

Yea... we will find out in next few days. Toyota is "supposedly" getting back to me for my... 3rd claim.. tomorrow

 

I wish I had a legit point of entry... so I can fix it.

I asked the tech if there was any aftermarket fuel filtration systems I could have him put in while he's replacing everything but no answer.

He did say it would of most likely prevented this ...

 

Better yet... since I don't have my truck, do we have hard lines or rubber? I never even looked. My
It'd be real nice if something like this would just screw right in http://www.jegs.com/i/Holley/510/162-517/10002/-1


I also need to figure out where in the system. It becomes high pressure, hitting upwards of 400 psi... since most of these are only good for 60 psi...

 

I don't think it's your job to fix the issue. Nobody else's truck has had this problem, so it's not design problem, so I wouldn't try to solve it from a design perspective. I still don't like that they are ignoring the car wash. However, you did mention that you drove it home and straight to the car wash, so maybe it's something that only happens when it's cold or just started?

I really feel the dealer hosed this and they should drop the tank to prove their point. A few grains of sand should not kill your truck. A beach bucket (or more likely: beer can or solo cup) full of sand could cause some problems, but they have not proven that's the case. I'd let the insurance and Toyota duke it out for now, but I would at least consult with an attorney. Most (some, all, a few?) of them will do an initial consult for free. Have him call the dealer and tell them he wants the tank dropped and the contents documented and retained for follow-up analysis. They probably know they are guessing and if their bluff gets called, it could break through the log jam (oh hell, was that a mixed/double idiom?).

It would be great to get it towed to a 2nd dealer for another opinion. That's something a lawyer could bring up and is another way to call their bluff.

Sorry for the crappy situation.

 

Digging through my pics, hopefully this will help those understand how little water exposure it was.

See where it starts to get wet from the incoming waves crashing on shore? When j turned around the pass side of the truck was on the very edge of that area. If it wasn't for a slightly bigger wave than the rest I wouldn't have gotten wet.

 

Do you really have a diagnosis and the trouble codes that doesn't allow this truck to run? If sand jacked the system I would expect a whole series of codes stored in the computer and your dash lit like a christmas tree. For $14,000 grand you should have a complete write up before they start any work. I hope your keeping a whole file on this issue, in the end someones lawyer is going to need it.

 

This thread makes my head do this...

Good luck OP.

 

see original post or two, most codes were fuel injector and rail related.

 

I did post the codes that came up. The tech claims that the sand thst came from the fuel lines was cloudy and sediment. However in the samples I've seen its completely clear and I cannot find any sand. The picture of my filler neck had literally a few specs of dust and maybe 1-2 grains of sand on the inside.

 

Please @AFMurse2014 , do yourself a favor and at least contact a lawyer. I think you may have a case. $14k to only "hope" that fixes any other problems. Then after that you are gonna have to jump through the same hoops if any other failures occur.

 

"No good deed goes unpunished" is going through my head as I read through this thread. I wouldn't wish this situation on my enemies much less a man who (1) is a good samaritan that saved folks from getting stuck (2) has a high sense of ethics to disclose the full facts of the circumstance leading to this failure and (3) used his hard earned vehicle in precisely the way it's portrayed in marketing.

Even though you're being punished by Toyota and this dealership over these factors, I wanted to express my support. You're the model of how all of us should strive to be, particularly with the patience and calm you appear to have demonstrated with Toyota and the dealer.

If I found myself in your shoes, at this point I would be tweeting on ToyotaCorp's handle, reaching out to local media as other members have suggested, and exploring options for attorneys. Being a service member, are there referral services you can avail yourself of?

Not for nothing, your story makes me want to contribute a few bucks - set up a gofundme campaign man. Money for a lawyer, repairs, a new down payment, whatever. Good luck, I'll be keeping an eye out for updates.

 

I appreciate the kind words. Depending how this next case goes from corporate, I will most likely go to one of the Judge Advocates on base just to get some advice. Unfortunately our military lawyers arent allowed to represent us in civil cases, but hopefully one of them can atleast tell me from a legal standpoint if anything will hold up.

I will admit, I did take it to Facebook and on Toyota USAs page I expressed my concerns. I was instructed to call the Corp line again, so I did.

This time, the person on the phone seemed much more involved and concerned, and said they are elevating it.

 

Hope the claim gets to the right hands this time around. Good luck, and thanks for serving!

 

I just read this entire thread too. Man this sucks.......where's the truck at now? Are they trying to charge you for what they've already done? I agree w/pulling the tank and/or showing proof. I bought a new honda civic once. On day 2 of ownership I started it and it started pouring out gas from underneath. Apparently a mouse chewed a hole in it. I asked for pictures and proof and sure enough that's what it was. I feel your pain brother. Maybe you should just leave the keys in it parked somewhere under an overpass....

 

I'd be in. I was thinking the same thing today. Also, given the size of TacomaWorld, I bet we could find a sympathetic attorney or even someone who works at another dealer or independent shop.

If Toyota doesn't come through, I'd pitch in to fund dropping the tank to confirm or refute sand as the cause. Though, I would want it done at a different dealer or shop.

 

I think it might be time for a fuel leak and a road flare to come in contact with each other...hope you have that Liberty Mutual car replacement insurance, because they don't want you to have only 3/4 of a truck...