another EFI fuse problem - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

MrUPS · 04-06-2010, 12:51 PM

Hello everyone. I have an 05' matrix XRS with 43xxx miles on it and the other day my wife was driving it when it died on her. Towed it to the garage she works at and found the EFI fuse was blown. replaced it and it blew about 15 min later. We put a 20A in and drove it down the road and it had no power. Wouldn't go over 2000 rpm. Had to let it set a few days because of work. Today I put a fuel gauge on it and drive it. 45/50 psi all the time fuse never blew. I have a 10a in it now and so far its holding ok. I know it should be a 15a I'm just testing it a bit.

Anyone have any idea's here? I've searched and read some but I'm not finding much that helps me. This car is bone stock and in good shape. I checked wiring some and looked that the connection at the pump. All seems well. Sorry so long. Thanks in advance for the help!

fishexpo101 · 04-06-2010, 05:20 PM

Hard to say for sure, there are a few things that could cause the EFI fuse to pop like that. Since it seems intermittent, I'd look at a direct short from some power hungry components - like headlamps, O2 sensor heater circuit, blower motor, etc.

Used to be on some older Toyotas - the O2 sensor was the culprit. Yours is a 2ZZ-GE engine, so no fancy DBW system like the other Matrix (1ZZ-FE) models. Sounds like they are getting enough fuel, did you pull hte plugs and read them?

Since the car seems to be down on power - it sounds like it is in a "limp" home mode. Any check engine light (CEL)? Did you have a chance to scan the ECM for stored codes?

Hoping that you fill up with only premium gas - the 2ZZ-GE can be picky about gasoline brands, can do all sorts of funny, intermittent stuff.

MrUPS · 04-07-2010, 06:55 AM

Thanks for the reply! I didn't check for stored codes. We always put premium gas in it. What are hte plugs? The wife has been driving it yesterday and this morning with no issues. I'm sure it hasn't gone away. I will look for some more shorts when I get home. Any other thoughts??

fishexpo101 · 04-07-2010, 10:53 AM

Opps - sorry typo, I meant to write the sparkplugs. Just wanted to see if the car is running fine, when it is running, or if it is running lean/rich. That case, this could point to a short in the circuit for the O2 sensor. Was pretty common on some older Toyota trucks - the sensor would be perfectly fine, but the cables running up through a floor grommet were chewed up. The same basic setup still apply here.

Only other thing I can think off was the rash of ECM failures, due to faulty solder joints inside, but that was mainly restricted to certain ECMs on 1ZZ-FE powered Corolla/Matrix/Vibe. Yours being a 2ZZ-GE and other Corolla XRS in the same model years did not see these types of failures.

My money would be a on short somewhere. But being intermittent, can make it tough to track down. Fortunately, you can catch 90% of these types of shorts with a visual inspection (burned or damaged insulation on wires, pinched wires, wires that are excessively twisted, loose or broken wiring).

MrUPS · 04-07-2010, 09:50 PM

OK. Ill give the plugs a peek then start searching the maze of wires. the 10A popped today while the wife was on the road. 20A in there now. I gotta figure this mess out. Thank you for the continued help. Ill keep you posted.

mikered30 · 04-10-2010, 08:51 AM

Check for a loose wire on the alternator. I agree with fish that it is a short. Check for exposed wires.

MrUPS · 04-19-2010, 06:38 PM

Update. Car died last night. But it didn't blow the fuse. Just checked all other fuses and tested for fuel pressure and there is none. Although that sounds like the fix I'm not so sure. If its the computer is it possible its just not signaling the pump to pressurize? I guess I could check for power at the pump.....didn't think of that. Any thoughts? Ill go check for power at the pump.

fishexpo101 · 04-22-2010, 04:50 PM

Checking for power at the pump is a good idea. Not sure if this year had an engine immobilizer or not - sometimes they can get wonky.

Bad ECM is a possibility - more likely if no codes were stored and the car just suddenly died. But as far as I know, that didn't seem to affect the Matrix as much as the 2005-2007 Corollas.

A bad fuel pump or a bad wire to the pump is possible, same with a bad ignition switch - could explain the intermittent operation.

kskkasp · 07-16-2011, 11:18 AM

My 05 corolla xrs is doing very much the same thing. Did you ever figure out the problem? I'm leaning towards the fuel pump being bad as that is the only component in the efi electrical system that carries any type of load. I've read a ton about the fuel pumps for these years not being very reliable. I've got the part and am ready to install it today. If you know something different, i'd love to hear from you.