Something's off with my 2017. Started with limp mode...

Hi folks! I’m a newbie to the forum and have an issue that I wanted to run past some other Toyota people. (Pardon me if this isn’t the right place, feel free to direct me.) I have a 17 Tacoma Limited, I’m around 54k and the other day it decided to go into “limp mode”. I hopped on the interstate as usual and I felt some fluttering then the check engine light came on. Shortly after the Trac Off light came on also and the truck gradually cut power and downshifted to approx 45mph. I pulled to the shoulder and my Tacoma was puttering. I attempted to start driving again but power was limited and it would not go over 25mph no matter what. I checked the vital fluids, and everything was normal. I took a chance and crept down the road and off an exit for safety reasons. Hesitantly I turned off the truck and let it sit for about a minute before I started it, and everything wascompletely fine; no lights, no puttering, and full power. This really puzzled me. Fast forward to today, and something just doesn’t seem right with my truck. When starting I noticed that it cranks an extra couple of times, and I’ve had a drop in mpg. Still no lights on, and I’vegot full power. Any ideas?

 

CPS sensor comes to mind.

 

I for one hate not know what what's wrong - and also hate paying for something if nothing is wrong .... In this case, I'd take it in for a diags and code checks. At least I'd have confidence in the truck and if it's just diags and checks it should not be too too bad on cost. JMO

 

Any aftermarket accessories tapping power off of the engine management circuits?

 

No aftermarket accessories, it’s completely stock. As far as codes go, I have an appointment on 3/3 at my Toyota dealer to have it checked out. Currently there are no lights on, but maybe the computer stored the previous event (?? I have no idea about this kind of stuff). I want to stress that this is a perfect truck witha perfect service history that I’ve never had a single issue with until now.

 

The fist time I have an issuer with my engine - I'd run out and buy a code reader ....

 

My thought as well.

 

Agreed. Sounds like the CPS needs replacing

 

CPS Meaning crankshaft position sensor? Sorry folks, I’m a nurse not a mechanic by any means so please be patient with me.

 

Yes

 

There was a recall for 2016 and 2017 cps issue. Check out this thread to check if your vehicle was part of the recall

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/h0h-crankshaft-position-sensor-recall.502435/

 

Update:

it apparently was just a tank of bad fuel. I ran the truck hard for a couple days then filled it up with premium and a can of sea foam and she is running like new again. I took it to the local Toyota dealer, and they weren’t worried or alarmed, it passed their inspection with flying colors. Thank you all for the help. Hopefully I’m in the clear, It’s been almost 500 miles since the issue happened.

 

Must have been a Toyotavirus, hopefully not a pandemic possibility.

 

Glad that this came to a conclusion for you with hopefully no serious issue down the line. In the future you can help yourself out by picking up an OBDII reader. Even cheap ones will read active and historic codes. They might not give you a lot of info but you can get more info of here or google searching the code. This way you don't get blindsided when you take it in. This is no replacement for a quality honest mechanic though. They will know how to fix the actual problem that is triggering the code.