Nightmare with TRD headers!!!

[Dan T]

This sounds relatively minor and easy to diagnose ! I am sure a slight adjustment will fix it. It is not uncommon to get an early gremlin or two when having performance mods done. Have these guys done a S/C before ?

It is the annoying little things that take forever to fix ( ie slight knock, hesitation etc ... ).

Now if you threw a rod - that would be harder to deal with (BTDT !).

[davecsu]

What I fear the most happened!!!!!!!!!!

After reading so many horrifying stories regarding TRD headers installation by TOYOTA dealers, I was hesitant to get the TRD headers installed. However, after months of contemplation, I decided to complete the last of the TRD I.S. transformation for my Tundra.

At first, I thought about driving all the way to Carson, CA from Seattle, WA to get the headers installed. But due to the escalated gas prices, I decided not to make the trip. Since my truck is less than an year old and I want to have the full 3-year warranty, I reluctantly let the local Toyota dealer install the headers.

I dropped the truck off early this morning and pick it up around 4:30. When I drove out of the dealership, I was eager to test the supercharged Tundra, along with the best of what TRD offers (dual exhaust, air filter, shocks, LSD and headers). Before I had the chance, the check engine light came on. I said to myself that it must be the O2 sensors. I called the dealer and they told me to bring it back the next day. No big deal, right?

WRONG!!!!!!!! 20 minutes later, my truck died in the middle of a one lane road at the peak of traffic hour. After several attempts, the engine would not turn over at all. I called the dealer again. After an hour of wait, the tow truck finally came and now I have an old Carolla in my driveway instead of................

The story continues......................................... ......

[davecsu]

The S/C was installed in Jan this year by the same dealer who did the headers. Although my S/C was the first for them, everything was running fine until 2 weeks ago. I noticed a massive coolant leak. It turned out to be the pulley belt from S/C installation was rubbing the radiator hose. The dealer replaced it.

Everything is perfect again until yesterday after the same dealer installed the TRD headers. Again, mine was the first for them. They did have their best technician to do the install. But............., engine light came on 5 min after leaving the dealer and 20 min later, engine died and won't start after that.

Has anyone experienced the same problem with their TRD headers? Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be?

[mustang67408]

That doesnt sound like a problem with the TRD stuff.
It sounds like installer error.
I have install many TRD superchargers, headers,gauges, shifters,ect. I have never had a problem with installation
or operation. All TRD stuff is carefully designed and engineered. Sounds like you need to find a new installer.
There is specific instructions for the hose that runs near the supercharger belt, on how to position it and the clamps. There are also updated instruction for the supercharger wireing, it gets a little tricky. But well explained and detailed.
Headers wont make a engine not run, usually, unless they melt thru a wire harness that wasnt properly secured or something like that, that might haqve accidentally gotten to close to them. I would definatly check the installation, Parts is Parts.
Hope all works out for you, to bad you not closer i'd be happy to look at it for you.
Victor

[davecsu]

Talked to the dealer today and they think it's the ECU or O2 sensor. The Tundra was running just fine with the S/C for 2 month. The problem didn't occur until after the headers were installed. How can the new headers effect the ECU?

I hope they fix the problem soon. I really miss my Toy!!!

[Genthar]

Sometimes problems aren't really related, they just coincidentally occur near the time of something else going wrong. That's not to say that it did or didn't, but sometimes sh*t happens too... Sorry to hear about your problems with the truck.

Like Victor said too, could be installer error as well...

[kaneman]

This doesn't sound like an ECU or O2 problems at all. It's sounds like a bad MAF sensor. Are you running a KN air filter by any chance? If so, have you ever oiled it? I have a S/C Tacoma w/TRD Header, exhaust, KN filter, and etc.. Right after I oiled my KN filter mine did the samething. The KN oil contaminated my MAF and I had to clean it. Truck ran fine after the MAF was cleaned.. Just a thought...

[mustang67408]

Originally posted by kaneman
This doesn't sound like an ECU or O2 problems at all. It's sounds like a bad MAF sensor. Are you running a KN air filter by any chance? If so, have you ever oiled it? I have a S/C Tacoma w/TRD Header, exhaust, KN filter, and etc.. Right after I oiled my KN filter mine did the samething. The KN oil contaminated my MAF and I had to clean it. Truck ran fine after the MAF was cleaned.. Just a thought...

I have run across this problem many times also
Monday i fixed a tundra with the same problem, it would not run, very well ,engine light was on, and felt like it was only running on 5 cylinders. The problem was the K&N cold air intake kit, removed it , cleand MAF and within 15 min the truck ran great.
Also if when the TRD headers were installed , the wires for the o2 sensors was not put back in there clips, and the wires were left dangling, they might have accidentally layed against the headers and rubbed thru. ( that would be installer error).
Wish i could help more,but i have never seen a o2 sensor failure on a tundra without a reason. I have replace 1 ecu for failure of #4 injector driver. And as Genthar said it could just be a coincidence. Let us know what they find, and verify it, make them show you the problem.
Good luck Victor

[davecsu]

I talked to the tech this morning. He checked everything (including the MAF sensor) and concluded that it's the S/C ECU. The truck will start and run if it's pluged back to factory ECU. He suspected that there was a faulty wiring in the O2 sensor that initially triggered the check engine light to come on. Later, the feedback signal from the faulty wires could have damaged the S/C ECU, causing the engine to die. That seems to explain the problem!

Does that make sense?

[kaneman]

That makes perfect sense. The incorrect wiring on the 02 could've caused a short and fried the ECU. The ECU is like any other computer or cirucuit board. Components are sensitive to voltage and can easily be damaged. Good luck getting everything fixed.

[kaneman]

Thanks for the good info Mustang..

[mustang67408]

I agree the o2 sensor wiring could have fried the ecu.
But you dont have to mess with the O2 sensor wiring when installing the trd super charger or headers.
the o2 sensors unplug and re plug back in in the same spot inless it is a 4x4 and then i think there might be trd provided extensions
for the harness (has been a while since i did a 4x4 headers).
Tell me what code(s) they found in the ecu. The TRD ecu also has been updated with the addition of 2 wires, they have to be in the right spot or it will cause a check engine light, blow a fuse , and it wont run. make sure they are correct
I am still diggin thru my notes.
Later Victor

[davecsu]

Vic, thank you for all your help!

TRD is sending a new S/C ECU. I hope that will solve the problem, providing it's wired properly. I have my fingers crossed. I'll know early next week.

[mustang67408]

Hope i helped
sorry I couldnt fix it for you.
let me know what happens
If they need the updated ECU instruction to show where the 2 extra wires go
let me know i can fax to you
pm me with your fax # and ill send if you need it
victor

[davecsu]

Vic, thank you for your help!

The ECU came in this afternoon and the technician started to work on it. I hope that will fix the problem!!! I really miss my Truck!