Issue with throttle response

Hey all,

I have a 2014 Tacoma 4x4 access cab 4x4 with a 2.7L and a 5-spd trans. Lately within the past week, I've had issues with throttle response. I'll depress the gas pedal and there's a very noticeable lag, usually a few seconds before the engine will respond. It's been in all gears. It hasn't been constant, all instances were intermittent. I have a Pedal Commander installed. I'm think it's either that, that is causing the no throttle issue, the common dirty TPS and MAF issue, or a slipping clutch. Truck has 145K miles, so those things don't seem to be out of the question. First things first, the Pedal Commander is getting unplugged to see if changes anything. I'm not sure about the clutch, I'd like to think they'd go for longer and this doesn't come up as something I've ever experienced with a slipping clutch. TPS and MAF seems more likely. Asking for thoughts or advice, any input is appreciated.

Thanks all!

 

Sounds like you're starting off right, check the pedal commander, or bypass it. If it has a seperate ground wire, make sure it's making good contact, not sure how it gets installed. Check it's connectors are snapped in good. If your plugs are due, you could pull and regap them. No check engine light or stored codes? Air filter not excessively dirty? Clean the battery terminals and posts. Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery might make the problem go away.

 

Did this get better or worse with taking the pedal commander out?

If it's not that, TPS issues are possible like you say. One thing I did some time ago was thoroughly clean and lubricate the throttle when I had it out. There was a bit of extra resistance to the movement of the butterfly after the accumulation of crud over the years.

@Waasheem advice seems good too.

I will pray for you tonight that there isn't some kind of electrical gremlin that will be a pain to track down.

 

TB and MAF cleaning for starters. I use a Qtip to clean in the corners and the edge of the butterfly valve. The butterfly is gear driven, so I work around it rather than try to move it and risk braking something inside. Maybe a bottle of techron in a couple of tanks of gas as well.

When were the plugs changed? The 4 cyl uses platinum or iridium plugs. Not sure which tho.

If it were the clutch slipping, your rpms would be going up faster than your actually accelerating.

Good luck.

 

If it is the clutch, you will hear the engine respond, and see the tachometer increase, you just won't move. Unlikely it's the clutch based on symptoms.

 

Hey guys. Update.

Pedal Commander is out and it's improved significantly. Plugs were done at 100K with the battery, Denso Iridiums and Optima Red Top respectively. Air filter is ok, been replaced with K&N drop in when truck was first purchased at 60K. So we're all good for now! Been driven throughout the week, roughly 40-50 miles a day. No issues so far, and acceleration is consistent with how much I depress the gas pedal, (albeit slow because it's a four banger Toyota haha). I don't recommend the Pedal Commander because of known issues like this. Apparently many people have issues with these things wigging out the computer completely and they'll have to reset them at the dealership. So, dodged a bullet. No lights, no other unknown issues. Thanks for all the solid input guys!

 

@ogsambal your avatar reminded me of this.



https://youtu.be/DcGX0ZDoPDo