Check Engine Light and Reduced Engine Power

[GarrettG]

Hi all,

I spent a full day at my local dealership trying to purchase a brand new Trailhunter today, with an extremely disheartening outcome… While at the dealership, I test drove a very low mile (11k mile) preowned Land Cruiser with the iForce MAX as the 4R Trailhunter was still going through the PDI process. As soon as I pulled out of the dealership the Land Cruiser felt extremely sluggish to me, so I switched to sport mode and applied 40-50% throttle. The truck felt like it was starting to pick up power only to throw a check engine light with multiple messages about various “failures”….

All in all, I chalked it up to being a unique issue with this specific vehicle (I figured that’s probably why it was traded in)

Fast forward to finally getting behind the wheel of the 4R Trailhunter and I ran into the EXACT SAME issue. I drove the car back to the dealership and the salesman immediately had the service department take a look at it. The service tech told me there were a lot of codes (running lean, ABS brake malfunction, etc.) ; However, he and the salesman both reassured me it was a fluke thing. The service tech reset the codes and had me take it out on a second test drive. Half way through the second test drive a message popped up saying “reduced engine power see dealer” and there was in fact a big drop in power/performance. No CEL this time around, but I was still very worried and disheartened because I REALLY wanted a new 4Runner and ended up having two terrible back to back experiences with the new powertrain. I passed on the deal this time around, but now im bummed because I don’t know when the next Trailhunter/TRD Pro will pop up that isn’t already spoken for…

Has anybody with the iForce Max ran into this issue or something similar?

 

[Flyin4R]

I have a pro with less than 500 miles on it and the same message appeared today, accompanied by a significant loss of power. Taking it to the dealer tomorrow to diagnose it. It smelled like the electric motor or another associated part was very very hot. I’ll post an update as soon as I know more.

 

[alpa_chino]

That sucks to hear. I have a ORP hybrid coming in the next few weeks. I test drove a LC too and that was what pushed my decision toward the hybrid. Hope these are just isolated incidents

 

[GarrettG]

Very interested to hear the outcome. I didn’t smell any hot electrical related scents with either vehicles, but it was also raining and pretty cool out by San Diego’s standards

I have a pro with less than 500 miles on it and the same message appeared today, accompanied by a significant loss of power. Taking it to the dealer tomorrow to diagnose it. It smelled like the electric motor or another associated part was very very hot. I’ll post an update as soon as I know more.

 

[GarrettG]

That sucks to hear. I have a ORP hybrid coming in the next few weeks. I test drove a LC too and that was what pushed my decision toward the hybrid. Hope these are just isolated incidents

I hope so too! For what it’s worth, I have searched the internet (outside of 6G4R) and haven’t found anything related to this issue

 

[Flyin4R]

Dealer said the ambient air pressure sensor was reading faulty. Thought I was at 15,000+ elevation. They didn’t replace it though, started reading normally at some point so they said it was fine and had me take it home.

 

[GarrettG]

Dealer said the ambient air pressure sensor was reading faulty. Thought I was at 15,000+ elevation. They didn’t replace it though, started reading normally at some point so they said it was fine and had me take it home.

Interesting. I’m hoping all the sensor-related quirks get worked out soon! If all goes as planned, I’ll be picking up my Trailhunter early next week!

 

[TRD JON]

Let us know!

 

[rustytaco]

Sounds like it wasn't a huge issue. Annoying, but bound to happen here and there. Seems like it's getting sorted.