Corolla Vvti Controller

[doobs]

I have a Sep03 53 reg Corolla 1.4 VVTI - the yellow engine management light came on the other day and I had been using Morrisons petrol. Dody fuel i thought? Booked car in to local Toyota dealer but meanwhile light went off again - their response - "probably fuel burnt off/away -suggest leave car alone/monitor". Fair enough. Light subsequently comes back on during driving but then goes out again after starting engine. Booked in again to same dealer, this time charged £40 for inspection/ diagnostic check - response not fuel related, but check reveals that I have an intermittent fault with the VVTi Controller which needs replacing at the cost of £366.00. I was gobsmacked and the attitude of the service person who was not very cooperative, verging on rude etc did not help .

I asked if this was normal/typical for a car that is 3.5 years old with a service history having done 29000 miles. Told "no typical pattern and that these types of parts can go wrong etc ". I then phone another Toyota dealer and explain and they more or less said that it was unheard of for this to occur and confirmed it is not a servicable item etc. Advised to contact Toyota customer services, which I intend to do but thought I would post this for any advice/thoughts

Is this a common issue or have i been very unlucky?

The engine has always ran very smoothly prior to this and gave no clues of any impending problem

[Black Knight]

Are they talking about the little control valve above the alternator and to the left of the intake manifold as you look into the engine bay (silvery/gold thing sticking out of the head with a connection to the engine loom)?

If it is find out how much they charge to buy it and fit yourself. Piece of the proverbial to fit. Undo one 10mm bolt, pull out, slot new one in and re-tighten bolt.

[doobs]

Are they talking about the little control valve above the alternator and to the left of the intake manifold as you look into the engine bay (silvery/gold thing sticking out of the head with a connection to the engine loom)?

If it is find out how much they charge to buy it and fit yourself. Piece of the proverbial to fit. Undo one 10mm bolt, pull out, slot new one in and re-tighten bolt.

I will find out more but I understood from them (verbally) it is within the engine/engine top has to come off to refit it

70 odd views and only 1 reply so far!! Hasn't anyone else got a view on this??

[man-bing]

I have to admit, that my engine light popped up few weeks ago, but disappeared just as quick.

Althought i use any cheap petrol i can find, mine didn't suffer the infamous sensor malfunction, but my wife's car did

I though it did feel bit sluggish/slow for a few weeks, but couldn't tell as i didn't really go anywhere, apart from work, shopping and home. I think comsumption did go up slightly, but not sure.

I would of said as well, that it just needed a few loads of fuel to get rid of the "dirty" petrol and hoped the car would sort itself out. I tend to run my car dry before i refuel not the smartest of moves, but it works.

Bing

[Black Knight]

Are they talking about the little control valve above the alternator and to the left of the intake manifold as you look into the engine bay (silvery/gold thing sticking out of the head with a connection to the engine loom)?

If it is find out how much they charge to buy it and fit yourself. Piece of the proverbial to fit. Undo one 10mm bolt, pull out, slot new one in and re-tighten bolt.

I will find out more but I understood from them (verbally) it is within the engine/engine top has to come off to refit it

70 odd views and only 1 reply so far!! Hasn't anyone else got a view on this??

Sounds like the actuator itself and that is a fairly hefty job. Head cover off, cams out (awkward in itself) controller off of the cam and bolt a new controller on the front then reassemble.

[davidmsmith]

I've experienced similar problems with my 03 plate 1.6 45k miles. Engine management light came on round about the time of the dirty petrol fiasco, so suspected related problem. Dealer told me to bring it in only when the light was showing - no means of interrogating the EMS memory (disappointing!). Light back on - into dealer straight away. Told "Fault code related to VVt controller". Reset by dealer & told "probably won't come on again". It was back on within a week & still on. Dealer now says to bring car in for further examination. They said similar problems had occurred with earlier Yaris due to narrow oil way in VVt unit - can get blocked by tiny speck of debris leading to malfunction & sensor being triggered. "May be costly" - hmm!

Anyone know if it can be reset by disconnecting Battery? However, don't want problems with radio & security system locking out!

Any similar experiences?

[doobs]

I've experienced similar problems with my 03 plate 1.6 45k miles. Engine management light came on round about the time of the dirty petrol fiasco, so suspected related problem. Dealer told me to bring it in only when the light was showing - no means of interrogating the EMS memory (disappointing!). Light back on - into dealer straight away. Told "Fault code related to VVt controller". Reset by dealer & told "probably won't come on again". It was back on within a week & still on. Dealer now says to bring car in for further examination. They said similar problems had occurred with earlier Yaris due to narrow oil way in VVt unit - can get blocked by tiny speck of debris leading to malfunction & sensor being triggered. "May be costly" - hmm!

Anyone know if it can be reset by disconnecting battery? However, don't want problems with radio & security system locking out!

Any similar experiences?

Thanks - I am trying to see if Toyota Customer Services will pay some/all of the cost as i am totally disappointed that this has malfuctioned so early in the vehicles life. The light continues to come on for short periods but mostly (at present) stays off. I am told that it is very unlikely to cause engine damage if left in its present state but the engine may shutdown at some point! I hope that advice is correct whilst i decide what to do. I did wonder if an oil change may sort it out but i suspect that it can't be permanently reset/rectified. Any other thoughts????

[davidmsmith]

I've experienced similar problems with my 03 plate 1.6 45k miles. Engine management light came on round about the time of the dirty petrol fiasco, so suspected related problem. Dealer told me to bring it in only when the light was showing - no means of interrogating the EMS memory (disappointing!). Light back on - into dealer straight away. Told "Fault code related to VVt controller". Reset by dealer & told "probably won't come on again". It was back on within a week & still on. Dealer now says to bring car in for further examination. They said similar problems had occurred with earlier Yaris due to narrow oil way in VVt unit - can get blocked by tiny speck of debris leading to malfunction & sensor being triggered. "May be costly" - hmm!

Anyone know if it can be reset by disconnecting battery? However, don't want problems with radio & security system locking out!

Any similar experiences?

Thanks - I am trying to see if Toyota Customer Services will pay some/all of the cost as i am totally disappointed that this has malfuctioned so early in the vehicles life. The light continues to come on for short periods but mostly (at present) stays off. I am told that it is very unlikely to cause engine damage if left in its present state but the engine may shutdown at some point! I hope that advice is correct whilst i decide what to do. I did wonder if an oil change may sort it out but i suspect that it can't be permanently reset/rectified. Any other thoughts????

Let me know if Toyota come up with any contribution to replacement - will be able to use as a lever in my case!

Good luck

[doobs]

I've experienced similar problems with my 03 plate 1.6 45k miles. Engine management light came on round about the time of the dirty petrol fiasco, so suspected related problem. Dealer told me to bring it in only when the light was showing - no means of interrogating the EMS memory (disappointing!). Light back on - into dealer straight away. Told "Fault code related to VVt controller". Reset by dealer & told "probably won't come on again". It was back on within a week & still on. Dealer now says to bring car in for further examination. They said similar problems had occurred with earlier Yaris due to narrow oil way in VVt unit - can get blocked by tiny speck of debris leading to malfunction & sensor being triggered. "May be costly" - hmm!

Anyone know if it can be reset by disconnecting battery? However, don't want problems with radio & security system locking out!

Any similar experiences?

Thanks - I am trying to see if Toyota Customer Services will pay some/all of the cost as i am totally disappointed that this has malfuctioned so early in the vehicles life. The light continues to come on for short periods but mostly (at present) stays off. I am told that it is very unlikely to cause engine damage if left in its present state but the engine may shutdown at some point! I hope that advice is correct whilst i decide what to do. I did wonder if an oil change may sort it out but i suspect that it can't be permanently reset/rectified. Any other thoughts????

Let me know if Toyota come up with any contribution to replacement - will be able to use as a lever in my case!

Good luck

I am still having problems with the light randomly coming on & going off and now after taking advice from Which? legal service am in dipsute with my local dealer -Bury St Edmunds Toyota about this matter. I may have to take action in small claims court against them or I may possibly think about trading in - not decided yet. The dealer so far is adamant that it is my problem and not theirs despite advice from Which that under sales of good act 1979 that I may have a good case against the dealers especially if I try to get an independant report about the part failure done