Hybrid system malfunction

[exia]

Hi everyone,

I have a OR max train and a day ago I was driving and came up to a red light and got a hybrid malfunction warning.
Took it in and they’ve been diagnosing it and called me stating they can’t further diagnosis until all factory parts are back on. The part in questions is the air filter box, which I changed for the pro style version. I bought the thing from the dealer and everything.

Long story short they won’t continue diagnosing at this time and want to charge me to put back the original back on. My beef is I have one part regardless of the box hybrid malfunction wouldn’t be caused by the filter housing so wth!

Also service rep not being transparent in telling me what they have or have not found wrong with the car. I think they are trying to by time or something it all stinks I tell you

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[MT-Taco]

There have been problems with the TRD airbox throwing codes… If it is the problem return the TRD airbox.

 

[exia]

There have been problems with the TRD airbox throwing codes… If it is the problem return the TRD airbox.

I appreciate this. Where have you seen this if you don’t mind me asking?
A different tech elaborated and stated MAs aiflow sensor was throwing some codes and stated that it might be loose not caused by me however.

 

[TacoFreak]

I don't think it is the air filter - lots of us have been putting those on Tacomas for a long time without any problems. Sounds like either a bad airflow sensor or connector. Either way it should throw a code that even a lame dealer can read. Plus this sounds like your have a really bad dealer, not only unwilling to do their job but lying out their ass. I would try a different dealer is there are any around.

 

[exia]

I don't think it is the air filter - lots of us have been putting those on Tacomas for a long time without any problems. Sounds like either a bad airflow sensor or connector. Either way it should throw a code that even a lame dealer can read. Plus this sounds like your have a really bad dealer, not only unwilling to do their job but lying out their ass. I would try a different dealer is there are any around.

Honestly don’t trust the dealer too much. However the other ones near me have been snakes and damaged previous vehicles I’ve owned so definitely don’t wanna go anywhere else.

 

[TacoFreak]

Yeah - understood. Lots of nasty dealers out there - got to go with the least nasty one you can find.

Good luck.

 

[MT-Taco]

I appreciate this. Where have you seen this if you don’t mind me asking?
A different tech elaborated and stated MAs aiflow sensor was throwing some codes and stated that it might be loose not caused by me however.

Here or Tacomaworld? Won’t hurt to throw the old one back on, then you’ll know for sure…MAS codes would be the box unless it got damaged during the swap?

 

[TacoFreak]

I agree - put the OEM back on and if it still throws codes the dealer will have to do something. If not you have your diagnosis, but I doubt that the air filter is causing this problem.

 

[dunder]

I put on an aftermarket airbox on my Trailhunter and it threw a code whenever I accelerated hard or got up to around 50mph. I worked with their engineer and we couldn’t come up with a solution. No code with the stock box, even with the auxiliary inlet to the air box uncovered. The OP (exia) can save a trip to the dealership by reseting the code by unplugging the battery for 30 minutes.

 

[TacoFreak]

Just resetting the code should be enough. If the problem is still there the truck will throw the code again, and if taking the air filter off fixes the problem no codes will get set.

 

[dunder]

Just resetting the code should be enough. If the problem is still there the truck will throw the code again, and if taking the air filter off fixes the problem no codes will get set.

Certainly. I simply reset with Carista while we’re trying to work through the issue, but the OP doesn’t have that option, so unplugging the negative terminal on the battery will do the reset.

 

[exia]

I appreciate the assistance. I will put back the original part, let them figure it out, and update with a conclusion..... if there is one.

 

[TheGreatWhiteNorth]

It would make sense that it could produce a code if its calibrated to that particular airboxes flow characteristics, and you altered it.
As Vehicles are becoming inevitably more advanced, they are becoming extremely sensitive to changes in anything related to fuel management. Thats not always a bad thing.
Whenever we get a new vehicle, theres always an urge to modify. Air intakes seem to be an easily accessible area people like to try and modify first. Unfortunately they have little to zero measurable effect on performance for a bone stock engine.

The only time an intake really makes a difference is, if you highly modified a race engine, but it still had the OEM airbox on, restricting the newly heavy breathing engine.

Otherwise, on a stock engine, these types of potential problems arent worth it, for no real world gain.

To that end, why did you buy the pro style airbox? What difference did it have from the original one that you were hoping to gain?

 

[exia]

It would make sense that it could produce a code if its calibrated to that particular airboxes flow characteristics, and you altered it.
As Vehicles are becoming inevitably more advanced, they are becoming extremely sensitive to changes in anything related to fuel management. Thats not always a bad thing.
Whenever we get a new vehicle, theres always an urge to modify. Air intakes seem to be an easily accessible area people like to try and modify first. Unfortunately they have little to zero measurable effect on performance for a bone stock engine.

The only time an intake really makes a difference is, if you highly modified a race engine, but it still had the OEM airbox on, restricting the newly heavy breathing engine.

Otherwise, on a stock engine, these types of potential problems arent worth it, for no real world gain.

To that end, why did you buy the pro style airbox? What difference did it have from the original one that you were hoping to gain?

I hear you. I bought the intake for the looks, "more airflow", and turbo noises it can make all while being original. The goal was to get a bit more performance since I have the I force max drive train. In my head, I thought the factory one it came with was restricting the performance since the pro model comes with a CAI. I thought putting it might unlock whatever little performance it could, all while not voiding my warranty.

However the issue is hybrid malfunction and the tech updated me saying they don't know if this is causing the issue but that their is a code coming up as well for MA sensor

 

[dunder]

… for no real world gain.

To that end, why did you buy the pro style airbox? What difference did it have from the original one that you were hoping to gain?

Since I installed and uninstalled my CAI 5 times while troubleshooting it, I will say I am confident there was a difference in the way the truck accelerated. The increased in air flow was measurably different, since it was creating a condition that was outside the ECU’s MAF mapping parameters.

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