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Unsolvable Problem, Multiple Garages
For a car owner there’s nothing more frustrating than feeling like you are throwing good money into a bad repair. In other words, you took your vehicle to a shop, a diagnosis was made followed by a repair, you paid your bill and you drove home. However, it could be the next day, the next week, or even months down the road and the previous problem reappears.
Questions (and a little paranoia) run through your mind: Is it really the same problem? Were the repairs done that really needed to be done related to the recurring problem? Were you scammed? What happened recently that might have brought the problem back?
All of which are legitimate and understandable concerns.
But wait---the problem gets worse because it is an intermittent engine problem that does not reveal itself every time you start your car or truck. And of course, when you take the problem to a second or third mechanic, no problem is found. It’s like the three sisters of fate have destined your vehicle beyond repair with no recourse but to give in and give up. Your life has become a Greek story.
Related article: Why No One Trusts Automotive Mechanics
Toyota Maintenance YouTube Host to the Rescue
The above scenario is one many of us have experienced sometime in our lives with a vehicle problem that refused to be fixed. In a recent Toyota Maintenance YouTube channel episode, the host is faced with just such a problem with the owner of a 2008 4WD 4-cylinder 2TR-FE engine Toyota Tacoma with 180,000 miles on it of which the host is at least the 3rd mechanic vexed with the repair.
Follow along with the host as he discusses the diagnosis problem he faced and why it is not surprising that previous mechanics were unable to properly identify and repair the problem; and, see if you can come up with an answer to what is going on. Here’s a hint: It’s an intermittent problem source you should always have in the back of your mind when it comes to cars.
Spoiler Available Below the Video
In case you want to just get to the answer, skip down to the spoiler immediately after the video and find out what simple test that any of us can do that finally revealed what the source of the problem was.
Toyota 2TR-FE Engine Misfire Cylinder 1 code P0301 Diagnosis Repair
Spoiler Answer
It’s an electrical problem due to wires no longer communicating properly within their connector that is triggering an error code within the engine and resulting in intermittent misfiring of a cylinder. In short, the wire(s) are making a poor electrical connection that is positional and can be detected by running the engine and simply moving wires slightly until an effect is caused or disappears and reappears when flexed a particular way.
What was amusing to me about this instructive video is that one lesson I learned from an experienced electrical engineer was the “flex test” when it came to diagnosing and repairing old electronic equipment. Whenever an old circuit board was given a preliminary touch of each component slightly with the eraser end of a pencil to check for cold solder joints and none were found, you would then take the circuit board and flex it slightly (while under power) to see if it would miraculously turn on the radio. Thin copper circuit traces do crack over time and so it is with wiring that occurs in cars and trucks.
Further Diagnosis Articles for Car Owners
For additional articles related to diagnosing a problem and some things you can do before going to a mechanic, here are a few for your enjoyment:
- Quick 5 Minutes of Diagnosing a Used American Car with a German Engine That Won’t Start
- Used Car Problem Car Will Not Start? Here’s What to Do with These Easy DIY Fixes
- 3 Simple Tests to Diagnose This Common
Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.
Image Source: Pexels
COMING UP NEXT: The Ultimate Bike Rack for Your Toyota Tacoma or Other Truck
BONUS VIDEO ON DIAGNOSING A MISFIRING ENGINE
“Top 7 Reasons for Intermittent Misfire in Your Car or Truck P0300”
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