Toyota Yaris Engine Management Light

[My Yaris]

Hi everyone, 

My car is a Toyota Yaris 2010, 1.33, MK2 with the engine 1NRFE.

For over a year I have been having issues with the EML coming on intermittently, especially during cold temperature conditions. 

I've been talking with around four different mechanics, and each one says a different thing when the car is scanned and the code P0016 was coming up. 

By following advice from the people I contacted over time I have replaced VVT valves, Camshaft sensors, Crankshaft sensor and spark plugs but nothing changed. 

After replacing the timing chain the code P0016 went away but I started having P0017 now the EML is not intermittent like before, now it is ON all the time.

Before removing the old timing chain it was inspected and seemed fine, not loose and after removing it and comparing it to the new one it didn't seem stretched. 

All parts fitted are original ones with the right OEM numbers. 

My last attempt was to take my car to an Auto electric specialist as I believed there could be a split wire or a damaged connector but their report states that this is not an electrical issue and could be due to the timing chain malfunction or even the camshaft itself. 

My car had just done 83K miles and is in good condition, drives fine and sounds fine just like before the EML started showing up. I just have no idea what it could be.

Does anyone here have or had a similar experience? If so could you please share some info on how you managed to get over the issue?

The picture attached shows the engine of my car when it was opened and everything seemed fine. 

[flash22]

did you get the P0017 immediately after the chain was replaced, have any sensors been changed if so what with

The first port of call is to check the resistance of both VVTi OCVs

[My Yaris]

Yes, the P0017 was immediately after the timing chain was replaced. Changed Camshaft position sensors and Cranckshaft position sensor and also changed both VVT solenoids but nothing changed. Very recently I decided to re-instal all sensors previously removed along with the VVT solenoids but again no changes. 

[flash22]

well its been timed incorrectly then did you change any of the sprockets, new tensioner and guides?

[My Yaris]

The sprockets have not been changed as they seemed completely fine, but the tensioner and guides have been replaced. 

I've been thinking about the possibility of the chain being timed incorrectly but the car is running fine and when idle it is also very stable. 

If the chain is timed incorrectly, wouldn't it show some sort of instability or abnormality when driving or idling?

[1.33]

On 9/6/2024 at 2:46 PM, My Yaris said:

Does anyone here have or had a similar experience? If so could you please share some info on how you managed to get over the issue?

I had the same issue a while back, EML on and P0016 stored. I decided to do absolutely nothing to fix the issue due to the age and mileage of my Mk2, and think I made the right decision. The mechanics I spoke to at the time were reluctant to change the timing chain, stating it wouldn't solve the issue. Only one mechanic provided a quote to replace the chain, tensioner, etc but the price was higher than having a replacement salvage engine supplied and fitted.

I change the oil and filter every 6 months, and I've since covered several hundred miles with no issues. The EML does come on occasionally and switches itself off shortly after. The car has passed every MOT since, including one last month. The engine runs fine and still gives excellent fuel economy. If I planned to keep the car long term, I'd probably swap the engine with a salvage one from a lower mileage 2016/17 Mk3.

[flash22]

only thing it can be is the vvti, you will need a scan tool to see if the cams are advanced or retarted

[flash22]

Looked up the code definitions

P0016 - Cam Crank correlation on the Intake camshaft

P0017 - Cam Crank correlation on the exhaust camshaft

 

Any chance you have swapped the OCVs over (in/ex), what oil are you running?? if you disconnect the intake OCV do you still get the P0016 or just OCV codes?

[sally johnson]

hi. i have a much older Yaris Verso (2000) and that pesky light has been on for over 8 years. the mechanics think it is related to sensors around the exhaust. they readjust the sensors every MOT and the light goes out again. at first it would be off for several days/weeks, but now im lucky to get off the forecourt before it comes on.  never caused any issues in all these years.

[1.33]

1 hour ago, flash22 said:

Any chance you have swapped the OCVs over (in/ex), what oil are you running?? if you disconnect the intake OCV do you still get the P0016 or just OCV codes?

At the time, I did try disconnecting and swapping the OCVs. I tried 2 other working OCVs from a breakers yard. With the OCV disconnected, I got P0012. I'm using Castrol 5w30.

The timing chain occasionally rattles on the 1st startup of the day and I was told it was due to the tensioner. Apart from that, the car runs fine despite having covered nearly 140k miles.