2016 Tacoma in limp mode, FIXED!

So for the past 30k miles I have had a variety of breakdowns and strange issues in relation to engine power and response. After towing my truck to the dealer 2 times and finally getting very frustrated with my truck going into limp mode every time I went over 4k rpm, I tore the truck apart myself.

I thought the issue was either a direct injector or a port injector on the 2GRFKS but when went to take the intake plenum off the manifold this is what I found

Within the intake plenum there is a servo controlled secondary "throttle body" or actuator (part number 173350P010) this valve closes off all of the intake runners at the same time. It broke in half! and the door to the valve was lodged down my cylinder 3 intake runner. This caused my cylinder 3 coil pack to overheat and fail as well. The cel I was getting at the time was a P0303.






The worst part is that this is not a part you can buy and fix. the actuator door is molded into the intake plenum so the whole plenum has to be replaced for about 4-500$

here is the replacement valve:
https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota....vbWEmeT0yMDE2JnQ9bGltaXRlZCZlPTMtNWwtdjYtZ2Fz

I really hope this helps other people out. The dealer wanted to replace my whole engine for a easy price of 12000$. Im happy I know enough to fix these kind of issues lol.

 

Thanks for the info. Intake runner actuator was a common failure on my old 2011 VW GTI. had to replace entire manifold 3 times in 120000 miles. plus injector seals. was my last vehicle prior to the TRD Hope this is isolated and just a rare case of bad luck sorry. Just wondering what caused the plastic shaft to shear, gunk, carbon around flaps? Hope you can find a replacement ASAP. Good Luck

 

Impressed!

 

Thanks for the info. How many miles you got?

 

Impressive diagnosing and repair. Mad kudos for figuring it out . This is going in the mental toolbox for later

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Excellent research. The P0303 code possible causes are:

-Faulty spark plug 3
-Clogged or faulty fuel injector 3
-Faulty ignition coil 3
-Fuel injector 3 harness is open or shorted
-Fuel injector 3 circuit poor electrical connection
-Ignition coil 3 harness is open or shorted
-Ignition coil 3 circuit poor electrical connection
-Insufficient cylinder 3 compression Incorrect fuel pressure
-Intake air leak

Source: https://www.autocodes.com/p0303_toyota.html

 

@Mods, pls make this a sticky . This is very helpful info

 

Is this part of the ACIS?? Or whatever the acronym is

 

ACIS actuator...

 

I wonder if the coilpack failure preceeded the ACIS actuator damage by introducing backfire into the plenum.

 

I think this is the same part that some guys are unplugging and saying their trucks run better!

 

Can this actuator be disabled?

 

Why is it plastic in the first place?

 

why would you want to do that? if it is stuck open you'll have crap driveability down low. if it's stuck closed you won't get power above 3500.

 

was just a question. Wanted to understand the purpose of the unit.

 

it opens and closes the flow to the longer intake runners, works with the timing advance power surge you get ~3500rpm. intake runner length and timing advance in the ECU tune work together.

 

Thx for the explanation. After the ECU update 2 years ago I noticed the truck responded quicker. Must of had something to do with controlling that actuator.

 

Seems the plastic piece would break before that shaft would shear off. I would love to know what caused it. No sensor code because the actuator motor was doing its job. Good detective work.

 

You'd think with limp mode it'd throw a flow code or something