hey I'm newbie to the Toyota world and don't know a whole lot about car electronics but I think I'm having some issues. I just bought a 2000 Toyota 4Runner sr5. It has the electronic 4wd shift button and manual high and low shifter. It's just flashing on the dash like it's stuck in between and the vsc off light and vsc trac light are both on along with the check engine light. My check engine codes are p0450 (Evap) which the sensor isn't even there so I will buy one of those for that, p0500 (speed sensor) replaced it and didn't fix it, p0770 (shift solenoid E malfunction) and p1127. It also is a straight up turd.... no throttle response until about half way on the pedal. It seems like it has several 2002 parts on it such as ecm behind glove box, throttle body, drive by wire throttle (don't seem right at all) that's just the few that I've noticed when looking at replacing them. I paid 1700 for the truck clean title 155k miles on it with the dash tore apart. Looks good and drives well. Any info y'all have could really help since I live in an emmisons county and I would like for my 4wd to work lol.

 

Honestly that's pretty short timing to get yourself a Toy with a bunch of codes and lights just before emissions. I hope you got either a few months or a second vehicle. Nevertheless, good for you on landing a deal.

Before you settle on replacing the ecm, though it seems plausible, start with the basics as this is now yours to take care of. Start with the battery and fuses. Old batt, I would go ahead and replace. Check the suspected wiring components like the ecm for loose connections to ground or power or signs of horrible corrosion. Having a multimeter or test light can be helpful.

See if you can erase the codes and wait for them to come back. Maybe you're getting old codes that have not been cleared. Though they're prob current.

Drives well means you have no issues. Poor throttle response is a whole diff story. Start with a tune up. See what components are due for replacement before you go and buy. For instance sparkplugs, trans fluid condition, and so on. That p0770 may be electrical or just dirty trans fluid for example.

For that p0500, if not the actual VSS, it may be whatever other component tied in with it such as the ABS sensors, which have something to do with VSC lights and the whole 21st century electronics we've come to love.

Best of luck.

 

Thanks for the reply! Sorry I forgot to mention that the speedometer did work when I first got it but when it went the fuel gauges also started going up and down while driving... the battery is definitely old and very corroded so I'm gonna tackle that today after work. As for the throttle response I'll try and get some pics or videos of what's going on

 

Unless the ECM got wet

Was hit with a Huge voltage spike .

Physical damage .

They for the most are pretty robust

Every bad one I had was from water damage .

 

Ok so i got the corrosion cleaned up and a new battery but nothing changed... then I got curious and went through the car wash like I do every now and then. Of course the passenger side floor board was wet so it is possible that the ecm has been getting wet

 

Doesn't seem right, the $1700 pricetag with that kind of problem. Of course, it's whether the seller wanted to disclose that or not.

Oh well, hopefully that should answer what is going on. Hmmm...time to investigate behind the glovebox.

 

Yea I agree. Something is fishy about it.. when I got it half the dash was tore claimed he put a heater core in it and couldn't get it back together. Of course I was like that's no big deal so I jumped on it since I talked him down 500 bucks.

Im going to get a used ecm and see what happens. Should I buy a 2002 one like what's in it now or get the 2000 since that's the year it is?

 

Either should do, just make sure its for your trans type.

I would keep the old one just in case your issues dont resolve.

Definitely have to take a look and see how the water is finding its way through, otherwise, that new ecm is gonna get screwed over.

 

So what do I need to look for on my trans and where can I find it on there to match it up?

im definitely going to keep the old one, I don't throw away parts lol.

I'm gonna solve that water leak first thing in the morning or at least pin point what I need to do!

 

Oh I keep it simple. Ebay had one for like $119 for an automatic 96-02 model yr. Just gotta read or ask whoever selling you the part for the fine print. And it's hard to believe, but there are model year 4runners that are NOT 4wd, so make sure that ECM is. I'm not exactly sure what yr runners came in 2wd.

Do keep us updated on what solves your problem and what else you found to explain them Christmas lights. Should be fun right up to emissions testing. Just don't tempt fate and drive it past the expiration. Save the money for the parts, not the ticket violations!

 

Sounds like you have some work ahead of you .

These mix and match parts was a newer engine installed.

When I was doing research for 3.4 swaps I think I remember while the 4 plugs are the same the pin outs can be different .

I very well could be completely wrong on this it has been a few years.

If they were all the same even the Engine Harnesses would be the same.

 

Yeah. I agree. Ask for photos of the pin connections and compare with yours. Might also want to make sure its for your emission type - Cali vs Federal. The engine label underneath the hood will tell you what yours is. Just confirm with the one you're gonna buy.