P0348 & Rodent Damage have questions...

My daughter owns a 2016 Tacoma. She moved up to the Seattle area a few months ago. Now she has a CEL. She took it to the stealership and it is rodent damage. Originally they want to replace the entire harness for damn near $8K. I said no way in hell. Then they came back and said they would repair the harness for $1600. I only saw a couple crappy pics from the tech on the portal link they sent her. Quote says they have to remove the intake and blah blah blah. She does not have the money to fix it and Insurance will not cover it because she let is laps I do not want to pay for it because I am thinking I can do it myself for considerably less. Plus I would rather put that money towards her having insurance than this BS. The truck is 200 miles away (I am in Oregon) so it is not easy to go look at it to assess the situation. While I have been doing all the basic Maintenace for her the last couple years I am not familiar with the truck or Toyota's in general so I have questions. I have already spent a couple hours researching this and I have more questions now than before I started because there is tons of contradicting info on this code.

First, the truck runs fine supposedly but that cam sensor wire is definitely chewed. The traction control light is on. How bad is it for her to continue to drive it? Will something get damaged if this is not fixed soon? Can she drive it the 200 miles home so I can fix it?

From what I have read, the P0348 is the bank 2 exhaust? Is that under the intake? Can someone post a picture of where it is? The picture they sent her showed the chewed wires up close. I have no idea where that was in relation to the engine. Do I need to remove the intake to get to the wiring? I see RockAuto sells the standard brand pig tail for $6 has anyone used them?

I have no problem driving up to seattle and working on it however she lives in an apartment complex and I would have to do the repairs there in the parking lot which is probably frowned upon. If I need to remove the intake that will make things worse. And because I do not know what I am getting into, I am worried I will forget to bring something that I will need. This is why I was thinking maybe it is best she drive it home and she leave it with me.

IDK, opinions are welcome. Thanks guys

 

It is intake camshaft. So you need to get the intake off to get to the damaged wire.
Can bring to my house to work on. I have tools and Techstream.

 

You'll need to do some tear down, it's not really an apartment parking lot job if you can help it. You'll probably need a GOOD light and a meter and lots of patience.

Lapsed Insurance isn't going to win too many friends anywhere, maybe the man in the sky was looking out for everyone else.

 

Yea dealers typically don't want to repair wiring, they only want to replace harnesses.

If that's the only issue I don't see why you couldn't drive it, it will be in a de-rated state because VVT will be disabled but shouldn't hurt anything.

Standard replacement connectors are fine, we use them all the time. Recommend solder and heatshrink or marine grade butt connectors for wiring repairs.

 

That's awesome of you to offer that...
Super sweet deal if OP takes you up on that.
(You are a tech aren't you?)

 

I'm Toyota DYI'er. Bring your own soldering iron. Mine sucks.

 

LOL....
That's cool. I'm a DIY'er too.

It's not me needing help.
I'm all the way in Tennessee.

 

Ok. You ship us some whiskey then.
On serious note, if OP need a place to work, I have a place, tools, wiring diagrams, service manual, techstream, some wires

 

My brother I just had this same issue. Rodent damage and was quoted 7500ish for harness and install. Turned it into insurance because of the big quote and the final cost ended up being 1600. I got mad at the dealer cause I fully believe it would have cost me the higher number if I paid myself.

That being said, insurance covered so I can't help with the repair but just wanted to commiserate. I also had fuel lines chewed on too.

 

Same issue here after a camping trip to Yosemite.
Drove it home & took it to dealer. Wires were chewed right at cam sensor.
He called me back & said there was enough slack to just cut back & add a new plug. Charged me about $550

 

Sorry for the late reply. I have been dealing with vertigo and have not been able to do a whole lot without getting dizzy.

Vlady, I appreciate the offer. That is very kind of you. I may take you up on it but I am not able to drive, much less wrench at the moment. The Tacoma is currently sitting and hopefully not getting anymore damage done to it.

 

Yeah I question some dealerships ethics. With this economy why wouldn't they have given her the alternate cheaper alternative off the bat? I feel they are trying to take advantage because she is female and she does not know a lot about cars.

 

The offer stands. Where in Seattle?