Starlite

I tacked a question onto another thread a few days ago;

"My daughter just purchased a 2008 4Runner on the 2nd day the CHECK ENGINE warning light came on, the "Skidding Car" (sorry) came on and the VSC OFF waring light is flashing.

Several forums state to unscrew and put fuel cap back on with one click only, then disconnect the positive battery connection for 30 seconds and re-connect to clear warning lights.

Did that procedure and indeed warning lights were off when restarting engine and driving BUT 2 1/2 days later, same trouble, did procedure again and corrected again...then another 2 1/2 days later warning lights come back on. The warning lights have not come on while being driven, the come on when the car is started on the occasions it has happened. I've ordered a new gas cap hoping that IS the problem and since it takes the 2 days for the warning lights to come on I'm thinking the VSC system is really OK.

I did have the codes checked at O'Reilly's and was told it was an emissions code, I'll have to go back and do it again and get the actual number.

So I'm looking for some advice or other possibilities creating the problem."

Today I took the 4Runner back to the dealer where she purchased it, they sent me to a Toyota dealer and paid for a diagnostic. The codes read out
P043E
P043F
P2401
P2402
P2419
They said each code tested OK except for the Charcoal Canister Assembly, it is bad and needs replaced.

They want $1225.00 (part# 77740-35530 at $945.44 plus $92.13 tax plus labor) and my daughter can't afford that just after buying this thing.

I am talking with the manager where she bought it to see if they'll pay for it or a part of it.

I've found that Toyota part online for $660.19 and it looks easy enough to change out...
My question is what do you all think, is there a repair or cleaning that can fix it or am I stuck.

iamsuperbleeder

typically it's not the canister itself that is at fault, but rather one or multiple of the little valves and actuators that are on them that stop working properly

if I remember I'll take a look at one at work tomorrow; I might have one still in the yard (I work in a salvage yard) and if I have the time I'll see what (if anything) can be dissected on it and possibly able to be cleaned, they usually have a couple plastic valves mounted right to the can and at least one small vacuum solenoid hooked to them

they do sell at work, but typically to shops and insurance jobs for a car that got rear ended or something and they're replacing one that's completely busted up... and they're not cheap used either, lol

Discombobulated

Weird that a 5 year old canister is bad, I mean mine is fine and it's 22 years old!!! But maybe new ones are a bit more complicated but still that stinks!!!!

Well hopefully the dealer will help out, good luck

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

look at the extended warranty policy on emission components. It generally goes beyond the standard warranty that applies to the vehicle.

Starlite

iamsuperbleeder...
Thanks, I did find an article on line where the guy took apart the "valves" looked to have a couple plungers, spring and some other devices. He had to bend tabs on a metal plate open to get to it all. He then cleaned it and lubed it. That might be where I've read some charcoal gets into it and stops it from functioning.

vital22re...
I'll check into the warranty more, all I've seen on the warranty so far is that the canister is not considered a "major component" and is not covered, at it's price it should be!

discombobulated...that's why I questioned the dealership as to how they knew it was actually the canister with showing 5 codes, it does stink!

bone collector

http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...at-option.html

this is from a land cruiser forum but the info may transfer over to your daughters 4runner. 1200 is crazy amount of money for a canister. the one in this thread is 40dollars i think. I would have to agree it is strange that her canister went bad. it is more than likely a valve . good luck.

j2the-e

You're not going to have good results by cleaning the canister. Your problem is more likely related to the vacuum pump or hosing to the pump. Not sure if the pump is available seperately or not. The dealer you purchased from should cover the cost if it was very recent. How long ago was the truck bought?

Starlite

bone, thanks for the link, that canister is completely different.

j2...she purchased the 4Runner 12 days ago. The manager is looking into what they will do, believe me I've spoken with them. In Tennessee when you buy a used car "as is-no warranty" you are limited as to recourse.

j2the-e

Well, hopefully they will do the right thing.

aviator

No way they were'nt aware of the issue... nothing this complex shows up 2 days after purchase... they should def. stand behind the product and at least cover half of the cost i'm sure they made enough on the sale to do that... that is if they want your family as repeat customers...

Starlite

My latest update...
The dealer where she purchased it gave her a check for 60% of the $1200. They said if they could have gotten the part any less expensive they would have fixed it for her through their service dept.

They recommended the Toyota dealership in the event they "mis-diagnosed" the problem it would be on them.

So now she has to decide;
1. put on a used part, I found a complete unit from a 2008 4Runner $250.00.
2. Put on a new unit, I found one at "Toyota Parts Zone" for $660.00.
3. Let the Toyota dealership repair it and pay the $480.00 balance.

cman1

iTrader: (1)

personally I would put the new cap on,clear the codes,fill up with 93 octane and some seafoam,and see what happens.

250000_yota

Do one of the two new units. You MIGHT be inheriting someone else's problem with an used unit, especially with emissions components.

The fact that the codes showed up two days later tells me they definitely knew there was something wrong and they decided to sell her the car anyways. The parameters the 4runner needs to meet in order to run the on board monitor for the evap system include at least 5-8 hours of key off time, certain temperatures and that the fuel tank more than a quarter tank.

250000_yota

With a new advanced monitor evap system, that will accomplish nothing.

aviator

Good to see they are standing at least a little bit behind their "product"...
Def. go for one of the new choices, it's just not worth the risk to buy a used part for these kind of parts.
If they are recommending the dealer do the work it could be worth the extra $480 to get the peace of mind a proper dealer service analysis would give you... provided of course your local dealer's service dept. knows what they are doing... as with everything some are quite good and others not worth the Toyota badge on their shirt...

Starlite

To finish up this thread...
The 4Runner is repaired and problem over. After talking with the Toyota service dept and telling them that an independent repair shop, that they know does excellent work, gave me a better price they changed the price of the canister down to $720.00 (from $945.44) and said that was at their "cost". So in the end she paid under $200 with tax.

This is a great forum...thanks for the help!

aviator

That is good to hear starlite... glad we could help..
so with that over get her to sign up and post some pictures of her newly repaired baby...