BlacBeaute

Okay - this is a good one.

I posted that my 99 ES300 was experiencing problems with hesitation and bucking. Prior to that, diagnosis from AutoZone and Advanced Auto Parts indicated that I had codes:

P1354 - Dealer Code
P0446 - Evap Control Vent Malfunction
P0420 - Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1
P0330 - Knock Sensor Bank 2

So, we changed BOTH knock sensors. Spark plugs were changed prior to knock sensors.

Then, took the car to mechanic to run diagnosis; came back with:

Misfires
P0302 - Cylinder 2 misfire
P0304 - Cylinder 4 misfire
P0306 - Cylinder 6 misfire
Catalytic converter
MAF sensor
knock sensor
muffler

I don't remember what the last one was. It was so many codes that came up, it was crazy.

I suggested that he check the spark plugs since they were just changed 2 weeks ago. I felt that should clear out the misfires on 2,4, 6 cylinders.

I told him also that the knock sensors were replaced last week, so those can't be the problem.

Anyway, the mechanic said he would change the MAF sensor, which he did and charged $150 for part and labor.

He them reset the car (disconnected the battery) and did another diagnostic. The only thing that came up is timing belt.

I picked up the car this morning. The car is still idling high, but the hesitation is minimal. It's not running as rough as it was but it doesn't run as good as it should either.

Question: With the slight hesitation and high idling, could I have a timing belt problem, or could it be something else, like another sensor? I replaced it at 90k miles, as I have the "Coach Edition" and that was the recommended timing belt change. I currently have 167k miles.

Thanks - I appreciate your help (and patience in reading this post).

yeldogt

So the mechanic needed to remove the battery to reset the codes? No code reader?


You need to get the codes reset and see what comes up first you can do this with a cheap $30.00 reader.

Did you check and make sure you installed the correct # plugs.


The 2000's had coils on the plugs -- the 99' have wires?


Don't throw parts at a car -- what is telling you that you have a timing belt problem ??

MikeLex

Before starting throwing parts at it, your mechanic should consider a bad Oil Control Valve. When this valve is defective (1999/2000 VVT-i 1MZFE engines are particularly prone to this issue), it causes symptoms resembling the ones that you described (including the codes you mentioned).

BlacBeaute

That's a concidence that you should say that the 99's have a VVT problem.

One of the codes that came up with Codes PO446, PO420, and PO330 was P1354 which is VVT Fault 2 - I believe that is Variable Valve Timing. Is this the correct code for P1354?

Thanks - will look into it.

mooseboy84

Reading this and tbe other thread, i think you should check your fuel injectors. first off, replacing knock sensors wont make the code stop, unless theyre defective. what knock sensors do, is detect pinging-detonation or missfires. now you also have 3 missfire codes for 2 4 6 which is all same bank of engine which tells that entire bank aint happy. That bank is either not getting air, fuel, or theres an electrical/spark problem. cylinders 2 4 6 all have coil packs in them which directly fire the sparks. there could possibly be an igniter problem, but i have a hunch its the fuel injectors, or possibly a fuel problem. Youre also getting a catylitic problem, which means something aint right and i bet its from running to lean on that bank. Go to a real mechanic and have him test fuel injectors/ rail.