Cts Acceleration Problems

[accylad]

Not happy :ffs:

My 6 week old 04 plate CTS is currently with the dealership because of a problem. For a couple of weeks I have experienced a loss of power when hitting 6200 rpm, the 'lift' just simply wasn't there. At first I thought I'd got some dodgy petrol, or it was because the engine was still tight but then last weekend something else happened. I was 20 miles short of the M25 having driven down from Lancs, over the M62 and down the M1. I noticed a distinct lack of pick up in all gears all the way down. The ride was also uncomfortable and I was getting a lot of feedback through the steering. Not quite like a balancing problem, but more like vibration. Suddenly the TRC OFF and VSC lights came on. Immediately I noticed the car suddenly felt smoother and the acceleration returned. I continued to my destination, turned the engine off, left if for a few seconds, then fired it up again. The TRC OFF and VSC lights went out. I took it for a quick spin (I'd just done 260 miles so I wasn't going to take it for a long run) and everything seemed fine. For the next couple of days until I drove back I drove with the TRC OFF (manually turned it off). I also noticed I was using less petrol after the lights came on as opposed to before - it basically drank the stuff on the way down, yet used less on the way back.

When I got back on Thursday I took it to the dealership who put it on the diagnostics. Immediately the following error came up :- C1203 Engine Control System Communication Circuit.

Apparently it was this that the TRC system had picked up, turned itself off and switched the VSC permanently on. You can imagine my reaction ! :censor:

Anyway, apparently this still didn't explain the loss of power. This code, once downloaded into the diagnostic equiptment, then cleared itself off the ECU. Unfortunately, whatever had been causing the loss of power hadn't been stored in the ECU, and according to Toyota Technical (in Brussells no less !) the fault code shouldn't have caused the acceleration problem - it simply wasn't linked to it.

One of the Tech's ran my car and said there was a hesitancy in the pickup. However the diagnostics show nothing is wrong. They've now got my car and are running it over the weekend to try to replicate the fault. Toyota Technical have told them to check certain wiring, sensors etc. I'm now driving an Avensis courtesy car.

So, I'm not a happy chap. A six week old car with 1400 on the clock has developed a serious problem, which Toyota don't really know why is being caused.

Any thoughts ? Anyone know what my rights are legally ? I demanded a new car but was politely told to bog off. I then compromised and demanded a new ECU, but at 2 grand a chuck Toyota would rather find a simple fix, obviously

My previous car was a 140 Celica that shook at speed, had leaky windows and an alarm that went off by itself. Oh well, so much for the reliabilty of Toyota.

Accylad

[exon16m]

I have had the vsc and traction control off lights come up on my car a few times on long drives, they went out when i restarted the car. The dealers found nothing wrong. have not noticed a loss in power my TS heald its own against a cupra R up a strech dual lane hill after he had been weaving behind me for the last mile.

I think the run in period is a bit longer than 1400 miles. Maybe you have pushed it to hard to early. I took it easy for the 1st 5000 miles keeping it below 4000 and no fixed speeds for long periods.

[martenj76]

Don't worry about run in period. I floored mine the first thing i did (after it was warm ofcourse) and i have no problems what so ever. No problems with the VCS or TCS

[PaulT]

I don't think your performance problem will be anything to do with the traction electronics. I had

a glitch once where the vsc warning light came on, and went out after I'd stopped and restarted the car.

The dealer examined it and saw the fault logged on the computer, but having cleaned up the pickups

at the wheel sensors I have not had the problem again. I think it's due to dirt or dust getting onto

electrical contacts, as unfortunately these have to be at the wheels in the wet and mud. I guess if the

system detects even the slightest fluctuation in current or voltage it tells the driver the vsc has

been disabled ... better that than have it break when you actually need it.

The power in my car, after 20k miles, is fine :D :D :D

There is always the possibility that they will find a simple fault with your motor, blocked fuel line or

something.

Cheers

Paul.

[accylad]

The acceleration problem was there for 2 weeks on and off, so I doubt it was simply a blocked fuel line. It had two tanks of petrol as well so it couldn't have been dodgy petrol.

As for the run in period, the dealership told me to 'behave' until 600 miles and then take it past the lift, otherwise it wouldn't run in properly.

Thanks for all your replies, I'll keep you posted after I go back on Monday.

Accylad

[eavp]

I had a glitch once where the vsc warning light came on, and went out after I'd stopped and restarted the car.

this happened to me too, all I did was turn it off and restart, and that fixed the problem

but It has happen a couple of times, shoud I take it to be cheked?

how did the dealer fix your problem? so I can tell my dealer to?

thanks

[PaulT]

but It has happen a couple of times, shoud I take it to be cheked?

how did the dealer fix your problem? so I can tell my dealer to?

Took it to the dealer and they just said they reset the computer and cleaned up the sensor gear at

the wheels. Don't think it took very long.

Cheers

Paul.

[accylad]

Well, got it back today. Everything seems fine. They apparently cleaned sone of the electrical connections on the ECU, TRC etc. The dealerships had it all weekend, run it, put it on the Intelligence testers and it comes up clean. I'm not convinced, but I'm not a Toyota Tech !

Accylad