2022 Taco behaving badly [it was mice]

Hoping one of you has run into this issue before. I did a lot of searching but came up empty.

2022 with the automatic (I have two other manual vehicles, so back off. )
Today the check engine light came on the second I started it.
In 1st gear, it has no power in low RPM and partial throttle. I had to mash the gas to get up a tiny hill on my road.
Upshifting is violent; it slams into gear VERY hard. Downshifting seems normal.
Transmission will not upshift higher than 4th gear.

Scanned for codes and it only came up with P0325-15 for a knock sensor. I don't think a bad knock sensor would cause this mess. Maybe the knock sensor is getting triggered by something else?
Cleared the codes but no change.
I poked around under the hood looking for broken, loose, or chewed wires but came up empty.
Dealer can't get me in for another week and a half.
The truck has an OTT tune, but I'm assuming that if the tune was an issue it would have happened immediately after that.

Thoughts? Suggestions? I can't drive the truck like this; it's really miserable and probably doing harm.

 

Knock sensor wiring is under intake. Hard to see from the street. Most likely mice chewed through

 

Sounds like limp mode

The codes received may be inadequate if there is damaged wiring.

 

I really dread taking apart the intake to get to the sensor. But even if mice chewed through the knock sensor wire, would that cause the truck to run terrible and shift hard? Wouldn't it just cause a code and check engine light?

 

Damaged knock sensor or wiring will force ecu to limp mode. The ignition timing is set to max retard. There is no other way to get around this , but take the intake off and repair the damage. Your code is bank1(pass. side)

 

These replies make me sad. But I appreciate the advice. Thank you, gentlemen.

Now to figure out if I roll the dice with the dealer/warranty and hope that it wasn't mice, or dig into it myself.

 

Get those cheap flexible cameras from Amazon and look in the engine valley.
There is a harness that goes from the sensor to the main harness, which is replaceable.
Takin intake off us not that hard. Need basic tools and E8 socket to remove studs

 

That a failed knock sensor could cause the engine to run terribly isn’t that surprising to me. These modern engines are trying to run as efficiently (and productively) as possible and riding the thin line between knock and no knock is part of the equation. If the ECU loses its ability to detect knock or the sensor is falsely reporting knock, then I can imagine the engine retarding the timing and also possibly enriching the fuel/air mixture.

 

Curious how many miles since OTT tune updated?

 

I’m not sure what the quandary is. Unless you really enjoy wrenching, I suggest you bring it to a mechanic that can do warranty work. You bought a late model vehicle with a warranty so you didn’t need to wrench, yes?

Once in my youth I owned 3 dirt bikes just so 1 would work when I wanted to go riding. Then I got a good deal on a 3 year old 1985 KDX200 and my riding to wrenching ratio hit the moon.

 

Don't mind wrenching. I've worked on a ton of stuff over the years. Bought the new truck because it was during COVID and used trucks cost just as much money, if not more.
I'm planning to take it apart myself. Dealer can't look at it for another week and they wouldn't warranty mice damage anyway.
Thanks all!

 

No, but many file claims with their insurance for such repairs. Not sure if insurance would pay out for DIY work.

Maybe check with your agent?

 

About 500 miles. I doubt the tune would be the root cause. It seems like any tune issues would show up immediately.

 

Sorry about problems. I’ve
been tuned now for about 5000 miles, runs great, no issues. Do you park in garage? My neighbors Chevy started running poorly. Mice, chipmunks, or squirrels suspect. He took it to a garage to locate and rewire.

 

Garage is occupied by other vehicles. Truck stays outside most of the time, unfortunately. We have had mice issues with every car I've owned since we bought this house. Lots woods around us. It's a constant battle. I've tried all the usual repellents.

I might get something like this.
https://www.techflex.com/heavy-duty/rodent-resistant-sleeving

 

Closing the loop on this.... It was mice.
Truck is back to running beautifully after replacement of the knock sensor wiring.

 

Diy'ed or took to the shop?

 

Little bastards, I had the same issue with my 2008 2nd Gen. I keep my 3rd Gen in the garage now, with lots of mouse bait scattered around.