Mysterious valvematic intermittent power-loss

[ZmanToyota]

Hi there,

Any one got any ideas on this one? Trying to decide whether diagnosis sounds right/ whether its worth trying to repair with costly part.

Bought 2010 plate Avensis Tourer just over 6 months ago. Full service history. 95k on the clock. £3600. Went like a dream. Long journeys; eg France and back. But recently has developed a fault that brings on a specififc combination of error lights and codes and on three occasion has lead to loss of power, with car 'restricted' and unable to exceed 20mph. If you turn off ignition and restart after a while, it drives normally again.

Toyota Main Dealer charged £150 for diagnositc but said it couldnt be sure what it was. And wanted up to £600 for further investgation. Local independent Toyota Garage reckons the codes point to the "valvematic driver' part number 222A0-37014 (seems to be called CONTROLLER ASSY, CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE VALVE LIFT too??).

Part new from Toyota is apparently £864.74 + VAT plus labour. Cant immediately see they are easy to come across as 'used' parts, but dont know if I am looking in right place.

Anyone got any ideas whether this sounds right? And whether you can find this part used - and how best to?

If I can only get part new - will it solve the problem and is it worth it at the cost?

Error lights:

Main Warning Light + Engine Managment Light + Check VSC System + VSC Check Parking Break System

Error Codes:

System : Engine control - 15E / Engine management TCCS 1P1047 - Valve lift control (bank 1). Error Message : Circuit defective.P1055 - Valve lift control. Error Message : Control unit error.U011B - Control unit, drive train. Error Message : No communication.

Many thanks all

 

Z

 

[Devon Aygo]

There was a Technical service bulletin for this issue for Avensis built pre Nov 2009 ref EG-0087T-0710-EN

The diagnostics seem sound the outcome for both fault codes listed is a new "Controller assy, continuously variable valve lift" and the part number listed is correct you will also need:

90301-38010 - O ring x1

90210-06013 - Washer x1

11159-37010 - camshaft bearing seal x1

90430-10024 - camshaft bearing seal x1

11213-0T020 - Rocker cover gasket 1.6 & 1.8 engines

11213-37020 - Rocker cover gasket 2.0 engine

 

[ZmanToyota]

Hi Devon Aygo,

Thank you very much for your reply. 

OK - sounds like I face a dilemma. I would be grateful for your opinion or anyone elses! 

Fault leads to error lights and occasional loss of power. The main part it seems I need to replace - "Controller assy, continuously variable valve lift" - costs £1040 inc VAT. Which is almost a 3rd of the value of the car.

It's 2010 plate Toyota Avensis Tourer Valvematic, bought used just over 6 months ago. Full service history. 98k on the clock now. Otherwise has run very well. Though slightly knotty gearbox finding 1st and reverse sometimes, and occasionally temperamental electronic parking brake. 

I cant seem to find the part used - breakers have said people wont be inclined to separate it form the engine, or if they will it may be not be reliable/ may also be faulty. One breaker said this part is known to fail after 75k.

Tried Toyota GB for "goodwill", given its the fundamental design feature on which this model is sold - the valvematic - but they wont consider unless its been diagnosed by Toyota dealer... and even then might not. Local Toyota dealer charged £150 for diagnostic but said they needed me to approve up to another £600 for further investigation. I couldn't justify that so it was local independent toyota mechanic who diagnosed the error codes and suggested that this was the fault and part needed.

Worth carrying on trying to find a used part - any ideas how best to?

Worth spending on part new given age and condition of car?

Or best to sell/ auction the car and start again?

Any advice, much appreciated.

Thank you

Z

[Konrad C]

I just did a search and found this - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-AVENSIS-1-8-VALVEMATIC-2009-BREAKING-FOR-PARTS-ONLY-REF496-/322454999346?hash=item4b13d0d132

I think you are very unlucky to have the fault. I assume the mechanic checked the connections? 
My car is mostly trouble free, but once in a while, I get a VSC error warning just after starting the car and moving off seconds later. My diagnostics tells me that there was a communication error. I assume that something did not initialize properly. I switch off then on, and everything is fine. It happens once in a while, and then no problems for a long time weeks/months. 
i had a mysterious EPB problem a couple years back, where it would not release auto of manually (no warning or error messages). Again switch of then on cured the issue. Then last year I had the clutch changed and the mechanic did not secure the connection to the gear position sensor. Had the Parking brake error warning message. That was fixed by reconnecting the the sensor properly and securing the cable properly - cable bracket bolted gearbox, that also mechanic missed. The EPB has performed okay since.

I wonder if the controller circuit board has a dry joint or a faulty seal letting oil get to circuit? I know these parts sometimes are not user serviceable, but sometimes thinking out of the box may be the solution. 
I hope you get the fault fixed as cheap as possible.  

 

[ZmanToyota]

HI Konrad C.

Thanks for your reply.  Yup I found the same breaker ad on eBay. He was the one who wouldn't remove the part from the engine - would only sell the whole engine. 

Interesting what you were saying.

The local indep toyota mechanic - who used to run the main dealer  and still consults with his mates at the main dealer - reckons the "controller assy continuously variable valve lift" needs replacing. He's checked electrics/ cables for mouse nibbling/ connections, he says. And Devon Aygo, further up this past, kindly posted to say he reckoned that sounded right from the diagnostics. So I am guessing that is the case. 

But equally, between these 4 losses of power, between Nov 2017 and mid Jan 2018, the car is driving fine. Albeit with the warn gin lights coming and going. The warning lights were off for a week since the last diagnostic was done and the errors cleared. Then had been on on for a week. Now have just gone off again today! This is the normal pattern! And so far no loss of power since last time mid Jan. And similar to what you said, turning off and back on again, or wiping the error codes - one of the two gets it going again. Could it be an impossible to spot electrical fault? Ive not idea.

Replace the valvematic part at full cost of £1040? 

Risk used part if I can ever find one?

Get rid of the car?

Keep driving it and rely on switch off/ switch on/ The AA to keep it going?! Not ideal for motorway driving obv!

Devon Aygo - love to know your thoughts!

Many thanks

Zac

[Annab]

Hi, I have a 2010 reg Avensis estate and  been getting the same error lights on my dash intermittently . Car is running fine but thought I’d better get it checked out . Told by Toyota dealer  I need to have valvematic controller replaced at a cost of £1250. Only have 67k on the clock so feeling pretty devastated . Is it too much of a risk to ignore the warnings . They only seem to show when weather is really hot. 

What did you end up doing Zman? 

Thanks 

[Annab]

On 1/22/2018 at 7:14 PM, Devon Aygo said:

There was a Technical service bulletin for this issue for Avensis built pre Nov 2009 ref EG-0087T-0710-EN

The diagnostics seem sound the outcome for both fault codes listed is a new "Controller assy, continuously variable valve lift" and the part number listed is correct you will also need:

90301-38010 - O ring x1

90210-06013 - Washer x1

11159-37010 - camshaft bearing seal x1

90430-10024 - camshaft bearing seal x1

11213-0T020 - Rocker cover gasket 1.6 & 1.8 engines

11213-37020 - Rocker cover gasket 2.0 engine

 

On 1/21/2018 at 10:51 PM, ZmanToyota said:

Hi there,

Any one got any ideas on this one? Trying to decide whether diagnosis sounds right/ whether its worth trying to repair with costly part.

Bought 2010 plate Avensis Tourer just over 6 months ago. Full service history. 95k on the clock. £3600. Went like a dream. Long journeys; eg France and back. But recently has developed a fault that brings on a specififc combination of error lights and codes and on three occasion has lead to loss of power, with car 'restricted' and unable to exceed 20mph. If you turn off ignition and restart after a while, it drives normally again.

Toyota Main Dealer charged £150 for diagnositc but said it couldnt be sure what it was. And wanted up to £600 for further investgation. Local independent Toyota Garage reckons the codes point to the "valvematic driver' part number 222A0-37014 (seems to be called CONTROLLER ASSY, CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE VALVE LIFT too??).

Part new from Toyota is apparently £864.74 + VAT plus labour. Cant immediately see they are easy to come across as 'used' parts, but dont know if I am looking in right place.

Anyone got any ideas whether this sounds right? And whether you can find this part used - and how best to?

If I can only get part new - will it solve the problem and is it worth it at the cost?

Error lights:

Main Warning Light + Engine Managment Light + Check VSC System + VSC Check Parking Break System

Error Codes:

System : Engine control - 15E / Engine management TCCS 1P1047 - Valve lift control (bank 1). Error Message : Circuit defective.P1055 - Valve lift control. Error Message : Control unit error.U011B - Control unit, drive train. Error Message : No communication.

Many thanks all

 

Z

 

On 2/3/2018 at 11:56 AM, ZmanToyota said:

Hi Devon Aygo,

Thank you very much for your reply. 

OK - sounds like I face a dilemma. I would be grateful for your opinion or anyone elses! 

Fault leads to error lights and occasional loss of power. The main part it seems I need to replace - "Controller assy, continuously variable valve lift" - costs £1040 inc VAT. Which is almost a 3rd of the value of the car.

It's 2010 plate Toyota Avensis Tourer Valvematic, bought used just over 6 months ago. Full service history. 98k on the clock now. Otherwise has run very well. Though slightly knotty gearbox finding 1st and reverse sometimes, and occasionally temperamental electronic parking brake. 

I cant seem to find the part used - breakers have said people wont be inclined to separate it form the engine, or if they will it may be not be reliable/ may also be faulty. One breaker said this part is known to fail after 75k.

Tried Toyota GB for "goodwill", given its the fundamental design feature on which this model is sold - the valvematic - but they wont consider unless its been diagnosed by Toyota dealer... and even then might not. Local Toyota dealer charged £150 for diagnostic but said they needed me to approve up to another £600 for further investigation. I couldn't justify that so it was local independent toyota mechanic who diagnosed the error codes and suggested that this was the fault and part needed.

Worth carrying on trying to find a used part - any ideas how best to?

Worth spending on part new given age and condition of car?

Or best to sell/ auction the car and start again?

Any advice, much appreciated.

Thank you

Z

 

On 2/3/2018 at 2:45 PM, Konrad C said:

I just did a search and found this - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-AVENSIS-1-8-VALVEMATIC-2009-BREAKING-FOR-PARTS-ONLY-REF496-/322454999346?hash=item4b13d0d132

I think you are very unlucky to have the fault. I assume the mechanic checked the connections? 
My car is mostly trouble free, but once in a while, I get a VSC error warning just after starting the car and moving off seconds later. My diagnostics tells me that there was a communication error. I assume that something did not initialize properly. I switch off then on, and everything is fine. It happens once in a while, and then no problems for a long time weeks/months. 
i had a mysterious EPB problem a couple years back, where it would not release auto of manually (no warning or error messages). Again switch of then on cured the issue. Then last year I had the clutch changed and the mechanic did not secure the connection to the gear position sensor. Had the Parking brake error warning message. That was fixed by reconnecting the the sensor properly and securing the cable properly - cable bracket bolted gearbox, that also mechanic missed. The EPB has performed okay since.

I wonder if the controller circuit board has a dry joint or a faulty seal letting oil get to circuit? I know these parts sometimes are not user serviceable, but sometimes thinking out of the box may be the solution. 
I hope you get the fault fixed as cheap as possible.  

 

On 2/4/2018 at 10:55 PM, ZmanToyota said:

HI Konrad C.

Thanks for your reply.  Yup I found the same breaker ad on Ebay. He was the one who wouldn't remove the part from the engine - would only sell the whole engine. 

Interesting what you were saying.

The local indep toyota mechanic - who used to run the main dealer  and still consults with his mates at the main dealer - reckons the "controller assy continuously variable valve lift" needs replacing. He's checked electrics/ cables for mouse nibbling/ connections, he says. And Devon Aygo, further up this past, kindly posted to say he reckoned that sounded right from the diagnostics. So I am guessing that is the case. 

But equally, between these 4 losses of power, between Nov 2017 and mid Jan 2018, the car is driving fine. Albeit with the warn gin lights coming and going. The warning lights were off for a week since the last diagnostic was done and the errors cleared. Then had been on on for a week. Now have just gone off again today! This is the normal pattern! And so far no loss of power since last time mid Jan. And similar to what you said, turning off and back on again, or wiping the error codes - one of the two gets it going again. Could it be an impossible to spot electrical fault? Ive not idea.

Replace the valvematic part at full cost of £1040? 

Risk used part if I can ever find one?

Get rid of the car?

Keep driving it and rely on switch off/ switch on/ The AA to keep it going?! Not ideal for motorway driving obv!

Devon Aygo - love to know your thoughts!

Many thanks

Zac

 

[Konrad C]

On 22/01/2018 at 7:14 PM, Devon Aygo said:

There was a Technical service bulletin for this issue for Avensis built pre Nov 2009 ref EG-0087T-0710-EN

The diagnostics seem sound the outcome for both fault codes listed is a new "Controller assy, continuously variable valve lift" and the part number listed is correct you will also need:

90301-38010 - O ring x1

90210-06013 - Washer x1

11159-37010 - camshaft bearing seal x1

90430-10024 - camshaft bearing seal x1

11213-0T020 - Rocker cover gasket 1.6 & 1.8 engines

11213-37020 - Rocker cover gasket 2.0 engine

 

My car was first registered January 2009, so probably was checked as the car is showing as clear. It runs very well, plus I am changing the oil and filter every year, using the prefered 0w-20 grade. Looking at pictures of the valvematic controller, there seems to be a filter with a gasket - Google part number 222A037023 and select images. This to me means the engine oil plays a part with the function of the controller, so the quality and condition of the oil is important. Then there could be electrical problem.

[Annab]

Hi Konrad - so oil change could fix it ?

[Rading]

On 2/3/2018 at 2:56 PM, ZmanToyota said:

Hi Devon Aygo,

Thank you very much for your reply. 

OK - sounds like I face a dilemma. I would be grateful for your opinion or anyone elses! 

Fault leads to error lights and occasional loss of power. The main part it seems I need to replace - "Controller assy, continuously variable valve lift" - costs £1040 inc VAT. Which is almost a 3rd of the value of the car.

It's 2010 plate Toyota Avensis Tourer Valvematic, bought used just over 6 months ago. Full service history. 98k on the clock now. Otherwise has run very well. Though slightly knotty gearbox finding 1st and reverse sometimes, and occasionally temperamental electronic parking brake. 

I cant seem to find the part used - breakers have said people wont be inclined to separate it form the engine, or if they will it may be not be reliable/ may also be faulty. One breaker said this part is known to fail after 75k.

Tried Toyota GB for "goodwill", given its the fundamental design feature on which this model is sold - the valvematic - but they wont consider unless its been diagnosed by Toyota dealer... and even then might not. Local Toyota dealer charged £150 for diagnostic but said they needed me to approve up to another £600 for further investigation. I couldn't justify that so it was local independent toyota mechanic who diagnosed the error codes and suggested that this was the fault and part needed.

Worth carrying on trying to find a used part - any ideas how best to?

Worth spending on part new given age and condition of car?

Or best to sell/ auction the car and start again?

Any advice, much appreciated.

Thank you

Z

In Nairobi kenya,I had a U0011B error associated with the valvematic.I had to replace it.Got it from a junkyard at a cost of $120.

[Konrad C]

On 5/17/2018 at 6:50 PM, Annab said:

Hi Konrad - so oil change could fix it ?

I missed this but, regular oil changes with good quality oil will hopefully prevent any possible issues. It won't fix any faults. Just maintain a service schedule.

On 12/17/2019 at 9:28 PM, Rading said:

In Nairobi kenya,I had a U0011B error associated with the valvematic.I had to replace it.Got it from a junkyard at a cost of $120.

So you fixed your issue?Asking out of interest. I could only find the following and gave possible causes including poor wiring/connections and short circuit - https://www.obd-codes.com/u011b. 

[EDWA]

On 12/18/2019 at 12:28 AM, Rading said:

In Nairobi kenya,I had a U0011B error associated with the valvematic.I had to replace it.Got it from a junkyard at a cost of $120.

Hallo, which yard in Nairobi did you get the part from? Having the same issue and trying to fix it. I'm also in NBO. Thanks! 

[Moses Rading]

On 1/21/2020 at 7:16 AM, EDWA said:

Hallo, which yard in Nairobi did you get the part from? Having the same issue and trying to fix it. I'm also in NBO. Thanks! 

Hello,Sorry for taking long on this.It was kind of lucky for me.There is a big second-hand car yard in Ngara near Makini Herbal clinic.I was lucky there had just sold a slim engine for Toyota Noah minus the valvematic controller.So they sold it for Ksh.12,000.The contact is: +254722907689.You also need to get a specialist to install it(For my case the labour was Ksh.8,000).

In case you fail to get it there,Grogorn in River road in Nairobi also had.They were a little bit expensive,retailing at Ksh.20,000.

Make sure you match the part number of the existing one in the car.

[Moses Rading]

On 12/19/2019 at 12:10 PM, Konrad C said:

I missed this but, regular oil changes with good quality oil will hopefully prevent any possible issues. It won't fix any faults. Just maintain a service schedule.

So you fixed your issue?Asking out of interest. I could only find the following and gave possible causes including poor wiring/connections and short circuit - https://www.obd-codes.com/u011b. 

After thoroughly exhausting with a qualified wiring technician that its not a wiring issue but a valvematic controller issue,I went ahead to buy the controller and it cleared the U011B.

Please try to follow this link,its more detailed about troubleshooting the issue:  http://manualespurdy.cisdigital.com/Toyota/Rav4Aug2010/rm1322e/MANUAL.HTM/rm1322e/repair2/html/frame_rm000003uy400ex.html

[Moses Rading]

On 1/22/2018 at 1:51 AM, ZmanToyota said:

Hi there,

Any one got any ideas on this one? Trying to decide whether diagnosis sounds right/ whether its worth trying to repair with costly part.

Bought 2010 plate Avensis Tourer just over 6 months ago. Full service history. 95k on the clock. £3600. Went like a dream. Long journeys; eg France and back. But recently has developed a fault that brings on a specififc combination of error lights and codes and on three occasion has lead to loss of power, with car 'restricted' and unable to exceed 20mph. If you turn off ignition and restart after a while, it drives normally again.

Toyota Main Dealer charged £150 for diagnositc but said it couldnt be sure what it was. And wanted up to £600 for further investgation. Local independent Toyota Garage reckons the codes point to the "valvematic driver' part number 222A0-37014 (seems to be called CONTROLLER ASSY, CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE VALVE LIFT too??).

Part new from Toyota is apparently £864.74 + VAT plus labour. Cant immediately see they are easy to come across as 'used' parts, but dont know if I am looking in right place.

Anyone got any ideas whether this sounds right? And whether you can find this part used - and how best to?

If I can only get part new - will it solve the problem and is it worth it at the cost?

Error lights:

Main Warning Light + Engine Managment Light + Check VSC System + VSC Check Parking Break System

Error Codes:

System : Engine control - 15E / Engine management TCCS 1P1047 - Valve lift control (bank 1). Error Message : Circuit defective.P1055 - Valve lift control. Error Message : Control unit error.U011B - Control unit, drive train. Error Message : No communication.

Many thanks all

 

Z

 

In Nairobi,Kenya,Thank God we have many car junk yards.Valvematic cars are also many.So this spare is not that expensive.It cost me $120 for the part and labour cost $80.This cleared U011B error.

[Moses Rading]

On 2/3/2018 at 2:56 PM, ZmanToyota said:

Hi Devon Aygo,

Thank you very much for your reply. 

OK - sounds like I face a dilemma. I would be grateful for your opinion or anyone elses! 

Fault leads to error lights and occasional loss of power. The main part it seems I need to replace - "Controller assy, continuously variable valve lift" - costs £1040 inc VAT. Which is almost a 3rd of the value of the car.

It's 2010 plate Toyota Avensis Tourer Valvematic, bought used just over 6 months ago. Full service history. 98k on the clock now. Otherwise has run very well. Though slightly knotty gearbox finding 1st and reverse sometimes, and occasionally temperamental electronic parking brake. 

I cant seem to find the part used - breakers have said people wont be inclined to separate it form the engine, or if they will it may be not be reliable/ may also be faulty. One breaker said this part is known to fail after 75k.

Tried Toyota GB for "goodwill", given its the fundamental design feature on which this model is sold - the valvematic - but they wont consider unless its been diagnosed by Toyota dealer... and even then might not. Local Toyota dealer charged £150 for diagnostic but said they needed me to approve up to another £600 for further investigation. I couldn't justify that so it was local independent toyota mechanic who diagnosed the error codes and suggested that this was the fault and part needed.

Worth carrying on trying to find a used part - any ideas how best to?

Worth spending on part new given age and condition of car?

Or best to sell/ auction the car and start again?

Any advice, much appreciated.

Thank you

Z

I was in the same boat.I got a certified Toyota technician and diagnosed the issue to be with Valvematic Controller.I replaced it and it worked