4th Gen Tacoma Multiple Malfunctions Warning

On Wednesday 6/19/2024 night I got Drive Start Control System, Radiator Grill Shutter and Check engine lights. Couldn’t get to Sun Toyota in Florida where I purchased vehicle until Friday. They had truck for 2.5 hours. There was a code P15AD87 for grill shutter. Ran active test and checked fine. I spoke with technician and asked if he was aware of Toyota’s history. He blew me off and said it’s all good. I didn’t get 5 miles and codes came back so back to Toyota I went. Today is Saturday and they still have truck. Everyone ready for a laugh. They gave me a 2024 Tacoma TRD Off Road for a loaner with 24 miles on it. Great I thought. I didn’t get 10 miles before it got a system malfunction warning. Laughed so hard I almost cried. I didn’t return it since it’s running fine. Anyway I digress. I’m glad I came back to this forum and found that water in the Radiator Grill Shutter connector might be the issue. I will call Toyota today and offer the suggestion if they want to listen. I think Toyota should put a rubber boot over the connector to keep water out if that is what’s causing these issues. Will update when I get more information.

 

What was the build date of both the trucks?

 

So these connectors are not weather packs?

 

Both trucks were made in Baja Mexico. Different months. The loner was 05/24

 

Contacted Toyota today. They are waiting for a part. Going to replace the radiator grill shutters actuator. I gave my opinion about sealing the connector but the service rep says they are following Toyotas procedures. I’ll update once they return my vehicle

 

Clearwater Bill: I don’t know what weather pack connectors on Toyotas look like but I would have to guess they are not. Someone posted a picture on this forum and they don’t look like they are weather proof. Hence some people are suggesting using a marine type sealant or dielectric one.

 

or tape…

 

Couldn't resist...

 

I had the same issues with mine back around March-April with 1450 miles on it. Multiple fault codes; 12v charging system failure came in 1st, followed by Grille Shutter failure, Drive Start System Failure. Took it to the dealer and was told it was the Grille Shutter connector. TW member Slater replied to my post and asked if I had recently washed the truck or drove it in the rain. I had washed it the day before. He said he had worked on many (AGS) Activated Grille Shutter systems and that it was the likely culprit. Took it back to the dealer when the parts came in and it fixed all the fault codes.

 

Tape has to be high temp and water proof. If Billy Mays was still around he could make one.

 

I’m still waiting for updates from Sun Toyota. Vehicle has been in shop since Thursday.

 

Why high temp? Or, what temp?

Sounds like the dealer tech told you the answer, indirectly: if you want something done above and beyond standard procedure, you'll have to do it yourself. Electrical tape has solved a lot of problems like this, if water intrusion is the issue, or you could get fancy and use shrink wrap (I wouldn't, though).

 

gm has same problems with their grill shutters. its not a super big problem but its a known issue. maybe they use same supplier just made to different spec?

 

Brother's a mechanic and he said there are lots of grill shutter problems out there. On one model (don't recall whose) it's 8hrs labor to change the actuator. Common solution is to grab the shutters with a hook and give it a big yank.

 

Sorry for the dumb question. I’m trying to be proactive. Is the area that needs to be sealed off the top middle below, where the sensor appears to connect?

 

That's just the ambient temp sensor.

 

yea you shouldnt be sealing anything... or your gonna be paying for it later.

 

I found the other pic in an online search. I was going to try tape, but am apparently looking in the wrong places.