P1346 DTC Help

[aggiedoughboy]

Hi, I just bought a 2003 XRS matrix. It has a check engine light with the code P1346 VVT/Sensor/Camshaft Position Sensor/Circuit Range/Performance Problem is the definition. My toyota mechanic pulled the valve cover off and looked at timing and chain tension. EVerything is fine. Car runs great, just with this code, so I have no VVT-i. Anyone else ever have this code or know what is the remedy? thanks

[fishexpo101]

How many miles on the car?
Did the CEL just come on, or was it on when you bought the car?
What is the maintenance history of the car?
Did the mechanic check timing?

Mechanic should have pulled the OCI filter and checked to see if that was clogged. Right above that is the OCV (oil control valve) that controls oil pressure to the VVTi actuator - if that valve is clogged or excessively gummed up, it will throw that code. Could also be an issue with the actuator itself (the big "drum" on the end of the cam) - though less likely, can be filled with gunk and sludge, or the locking pin inside worn completely through the backing plate. Another strong possibility is the chain jumped a tooth - as a P1346 is more often than not, a mechanical related problem. Could be as extensive as replacing the timing chain, tensioner, chain guides, even more.

Definitely want to take this to a Toyota VVTi/VVTLi expert. Might have to go to a Toyota dealership or atleast a shop that caters to Toyotas. You can diagnose the actuator with the Toyota handheld scanner, cycling it, to see if what component is causing the problems.

[aggiedoughboy]

Engine is toast. It looks like something was up with the crank gear that drives the top half of the engine. Bottom half turns over but the top won't. I started it up the next day after getting back from my friend, who is a toyota mechanic of 10 years, and something is spun on the crank. Won't know till i tow it to him to look at. Best case scenario is pull the engine and hopefully it is something that can be fixed with new timing set. Worst case...a new(used) engine. Car had 114000 miles. Previous owner was a toyota mechanic. Irony...I bought the car because it was well "maintained."

[fishexpo101]

Ouch! Doesn't very good. I'd also check in on the oil pump, as that was a sore point for some 2ZZ-GE engines. Premature failure in the pump caused oil starvation at the top end. Since VVTL-i required good oil pressure for operation - the engine essentially self-destructed. Good luck with that and post up what you've found. I'm sure that many others with mileage well above 100K miles would be interested in what failure points could happen.

[aggiedoughboy]

I am going to have to remove the engine myself. My friends dealership is cracking down on side jobs after hours. I am going to take it to a reputable machine shop that his dealership uses for engine rebuilds to see if they can rebuild the engine. I'll try to take some pictures of the removal and probably need some help along the way.