Low circuit codes
When you say "literally everything", that's pretty open ended, since there was a lot of "If, then" statements in my post.
Does that mean you ran all the diagnostics and literally everything came out needing to change, that you ran the diagnostics and only changed a few things that tested bad, that you replaced all of the things I listed without running the diagnostics, or that everything tested good and you couldn't figure out what the problem is?
It seems like you're still throwing parts at it instead of running diagnostics, if you threw a head gasket at it without running a leakdown test first, but I might just be missing context here.
Have you checked the timing and VVT system yet? That VVT cam gear actuator can be a silent killer.
When you say "literally everything", that's pretty open ended, since there was a lot of "If, then" statements in my post.
Does that mean you ran all the diagnostics and literally everything came out needing to change, that you ran the diagnostics and only changed a few things that tested bad, that you replaced all of the things I listed without running the diagnostics, or that everything tested good and you couldn't figure out what the problem is?
It seems like you're still throwing parts at it instead of running diagnostics, if you threw a head gasket at it without running a leakdown test first, but I might just be missing context here.
Have you checked the timing and VVT system yet? That VVT cam gear actuator can be a silent killer.
When you say "literally everything", that's pretty open ended, since there was a lot of "If, then" statements in my post.
Does that mean you ran all the diagnostics and literally everything came out needing to change, that you ran the diagnostics and only changed a few things that tested bad, that you replaced all of the things I listed without running the diagnostics, or that everything tested good and you couldn't figure out what the problem is?
It seems like you're still throwing parts at it instead of running diagnostics, if you threw a head gasket at it without running a leakdown test first, but I might just be missing context here.
Have you checked the timing and VVT system yet? That VVT cam gear actuator can be a silent killer.
One of the reasons it can feel like playing whack-a-mole is because all of these systems are so interconnected, so when one system goes down, it can have a hard time figuring out if the other systems are okay or not (ex. if the crankshaft sensor is gone, it has nothing to compare the camshaft position to, so it won't be able to accurately determine the camshaft position). So basically, you fix the crankshaft sensor, suddenly the crankshaft and camshaft can talk to eachother again, and now the computer knows if timing's good or not.
Overall, though, it sounds like you're narrowing in on it. As far as the rough idle, that absolutely could be the IAT code, since you're right, the MAF is tied to that. Get an OEM MAF, I saw someone get a terrible lean condition once because they got an aftermarket MAF that wasn't sensitive enough. It's part number 2220422010, there's a TON of Toyota model's that use it, it's super easy to find. Just bring a multimeter to a junkyard and go in the general direction of any Toyota product, you'll probably find a working one within 30 minutes. I'm supposed to tell you to buy new, but lmao who cares if it works it works
If that's not it, then I'd go back to triple-checking fuel trims to see if there's a vacuum leak, now that you know you have a good MAF reading and good fuel delivery (assuming you went back to functioning stock injectors and checked fuel pressure at some point).
Hopefully seeing how much more simple the diagnostics for this issue are than what you were dealing with before will give you the strength you need to not give up!
But yeah, it always sucks when we end up having to chase down these sorts of sensor issues, but hey, this sort of stuff would have already killed any given newer Nissan or American car by now, if it makes you feel better.
One of the reasons it can feel like playing whack-a-mole is because all of these systems are so interconnected, so when one system goes down, it can have a hard time figuring out if the other systems are okay or not (ex. if the crankshaft sensor is gone, it has nothing to compare the camshaft position to, so it won't be able to accurately determine the camshaft position). So basically, you fix the crankshaft sensor, suddenly the crankshaft and camshaft can talk to eachother again, and now the computer knows if timing's good or not.
Overall, though, it sounds like you're narrowing in on it. As far as the rough idle, that absolutely could be the IAT code, since you're right, the MAF is tied to that. Get an OEM MAF, I saw someone get a terrible lean condition once because they got an aftermarket MAF that wasn't sensitive enough. It's part number 2220422010, there's a TON of Toyota model's that use it, it's super easy to find. Just bring a multimeter to a junkyard and go in the general direction of any Toyota product, you'll probably find a working one within 30 minutes. I'm supposed to tell you to buy new, but lmao who cares if it works it works
If that's not it, then I'd go back to triple-checking fuel trims to see if there's a vacuum leak, now that you know you have a good MAF reading and good fuel delivery (assuming you went back to functioning stock injectors and checked fuel pressure at some point).
Hopefully seeing how much more simple the diagnostics for this issue are than what you were dealing with before will give you the strength you need to not give up!
But yeah, it always sucks when we end up having to chase down these sorts of sensor issues, but hey, this sort of stuff would have already killed any given newer Nissan or American car by now, if it makes you feel better.
Those fixes have caught up to me and now I'm doing a bunch of engine work and a full front suspension rebuild, none of which I really have the time or money for. Be careful what you let become a habit when it comes to "good enough".
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the actual codes p0051 p0517 p1551
Last edited by Ayo3506720; Jun 10, 2025 at 07:56 AM.
To find out if those codes are legitimate, you're probably gonna have to do some sleuthing in the engine bay. I'd test the battery and alternator with a voltameter, then back probe the alternator sensor and, if you can find it, the battery current sensor.
In my experience, only thing it could be other than the alternator, battery, or one of the sensors connected to those two things, is the ECU, unfortunately, and unfortunately, the equipment to test your ECU is usually more expensive than getting a junkyard ECU and spending an hour on the forums learning how to reprogram it.
O2 sensor heater circuit codes are usually legitimate, and usually mean an O2 sensor replacement. Might hold off on that, though, if you're dealing with electrical codes you might just have a weird electrical fault.
To find out if those codes are legitimate, you're probably gonna have to do some sleuthing in the engine bay. I'd test the battery and alternator with a voltameter, then back probe the alternator sensor and, if you can find it, the battery current sensor.
In my experience, only thing it could be other than the alternator, battery, or one of the sensors connected to those two things, is the ECU, unfortunately, and unfortunately, the equipment to test your ECU is usually more expensive than getting a junkyard ECU and spending an hour on the forums learning how to reprogram it.
O2 sensor heater circuit codes are usually legitimate, and usually mean an O2 sensor replacement. Might hold off on that, though, if you're dealing with electrical codes you might just have a weird electrical fault.
I'd check the wiring between the ECU and the TCU, and also still do what I said before, which is check your alternator, your battery, the connections between them, and the connection from the alternator to the ECU. While you're at it, it'd be a really, really good idea to check all your ground wires.
Here's a diagram of where to find the ground wires on your vehicle:



