In need of help

[jaystone22]

07 4runner, 37000 miles. Woke up and had a flat tire. Changed it, then on my way to work check engine light,VSC light,traction control light and of course the tire pressure sensor light came on. Took it to Dealership and they told me that the O2 sensor was going out. Further more they told me it would cost $460 for the sensor, and if it was "stuck" then it would be another $1500 for a manifold. Just any information would be helpful on what this might be. Thanks

 

[MICA4R]

You can tackle this problem systematically and step wise.

#1 is the spare the same size (rim + tire) as the other 3? - if not then the vsc is sensing that the "spare" is not spinning at the same rate as the other 3. It "thinks" that you are slipping.

#2 get your tire repaired, refill all 5 tires to the same PSI and put the original back on the truck. The pressure sensor reads from all 5 tires! including the spare. Drive above 50 mph for 2-5 miles.

#3 the check engine light may be a secondary issue. If your O2 sensor is going out your MPG is going to be horrible.

The :redbrick: Stealership is good at replacing everything. Look at some of the other forums, they will show you how to clean the MAF (takes 10 min) and the throttle body (about 1/2 hour). Hopefully that will help. If dealer is telling me that after 4 years and 37K miles the O2 sensor is gone, they are FOS.


- IMHO the new VSC and trac control systems are not perfected by any means. It similar to when ford put non-tempered glass in automobiles for safety and people started getting impaled by 2 foot shards of glass in an accident. Every innovation has casualties and this one may end up being your wallet.

- My neighbor just spent over $700 for a steering wheel sensor in his 04 Sienna. It registered that his steering wheel angle was 175 degrees when it was pointed straight!

Interested to know the final diagnosis.

 

[snhrph]

I completely agree with MICA4R, but would check one more item - your gas tank cap.

I had a similar problem with engine light, VSC light, traction control light being lit up on my GX. A new gas tank cap ($27) solved the problem.

 

[DaveS]

Changing a manifold to replace an O2 sensor - now I've heard it all ! Thank goodness they didn't suggest "check engine" means they have to remove the engine to check it. I would be talking to another dealer!