2004 Camry question

[rkdavis]

I just joined this forum and did a search for 2004 Camry throttle body problems. Found out what I found out everywhere else. This is common, expensive, and a design flaw by Toyota.
I started thinking along the lines of performance parts when I found out a stock part from Toyota cost $725. I thought maybe a performance parts manufacturer may make something similar that is for adding performance. I haven't found anything yet. I also can't find anything about the new parts not having the same flaw as the original. Surely if I buy a new throttle body it will have the problem corrected on it? If not I will just buy a used one and, being that it will go out again in the future, trade the car.
Basically this is also a safety hazard because when the part goes out the car will only idle.
Just wondered if anyone had any information on this part and problem.

[BlackG5]

Why do you think you need a new throttle body?

What is the car doing wrong?

What engine?

Need more info to get help any here...

[rkdavis]

Sorry. The car is a 2004 Camry 2.4L 4 cylinder (2AZFE) . After approx. 110k miles the car would only idle when it is cranked. You can press on the accelerator and nothing happens. It just continues to idle. The codes were pulled and it said the throttle body was bad. I believe the exact terminology is TPS (Throttle position sensor). I have a mechanic that will put a used one on for $450 driveout price. The only thing is how long is the used one going to last?
Also, I wonder where I might find out if the bugs were worked out and if I get a new one will it have the flaw or not?

[BlackG5]

What exact code was it? P2121?

This code could be the "Pedal position sensor" too, which is behind the accelerator, and a much cheaper part.


Code P2102 TAC Motor Circuit Low. -- probably the throttle body


http://highlanderclub.ru/files/manua...4i/cip2102.pdf

[rkdavis]

They told me the code but I do not remember exactly what it was. It was at a Toyota dealership. When they told me what the price of the part was I asked if there was anything else they could do. The service manager is a friend of the family and cleared the codes and the vehicle operated correctly for 2 days and then the same problem happened again. Being that the dealership wanted so much for the repair, I have it at a mechanic's that I use for other vehicles and he also said it could be the "pedal position sensor".
I appreciate the feedback and the hope that it could be something less expensive than the throttle body.
I have driven Toyota's for 30 years and have never had a problem like this. To make an electronic part onto the throttle body that cannot be replaced without replacing the whole throttle body makes no sense unless you are trying to make money (to me this is unethical).
It would be nice if some after market performance part company made a performance throttle body for the car that would increase performance and gas mileage (that cost less than $700). I guess that is really wishful thinking.

[BlackG5]

^definitely. I'd be heated.

I'm gonna go on a limb and say it's probably the pedal sensor if the car starts but doesn't rev. Seems very possible.

Good luck with it! Report back with the code/repairs needed if you could so we can document it somewhere in a sticky thread or something..

[rkdavis]

Originally Posted by BlackG5

^definitely. I'd be heated.

I'm gonna go on a limb and say it's probably the pedal sensor if the car starts but doesn't rev. Seems very possible.

Good luck with it! Report back with the code/repairs needed if you could so we can document it somewhere in a sticky thread or something..

Thank you very much. The mechanic should get on it tomorrow and I will report back with what he says.
The car starts fine. Initially my wife got it going again by pressing the pedal very hard while the car was turned off. When she started it back up it worked as normal. Even this did not work the second time it stopped functioning, but it could be just the pedal sensor. Got my fingers crossed.

[rkdavis]

Update.
Talked to my mechanic today and he said everything is pointing at the pedal sensor rather than the throttle body. I will know 100% tomorrow. It seems that error codes are interpreted different and oftentimes throttle bodies are installed mistakenly.
Keep your fingers crossed. I think the pedal sensor is only $40, where the throttle body is $600+.

[rkdavis]

End result (hopefully):
The car ended up having a bad pedal sensor. The only thing is, to get a sensor the size of a 1/2 dollar you have to purchase the entire pedal assembly ($425). I guess I have been lucky to have 119k on the car and nothing else major has gone wrong.
I was told by a friend of mine, even though there is no recall, there have been many problems reported of everything from the pedal sensor to the throttle body on these cars. In some cases there is a rebate on repairs. My mechanic, when I told him about this, said he had been called before to verify repairs for rebates. I don't know how much there is to it but I am going to research it.
Anyone know anything about rebates on repairs for dangerous malfunctions?