2001 ecm

Okay,
So I called my Parts Technical people and they could not answer my question. Since I have had nothing to do with this vehicle, I don't know if I can give you a clear cut answer. I need your complant, the techs Diagnosis, etc. What I can tell you is that the original part number 89661-08060 superseded to a 89661-08061-84(which is a remanufactured unit). But, there is a bulletin regarding certain complaints, but the date on that is 2005. The service side of technical doesn't take phone calls, a tech case would have to opened and then they get back to the dealer. In some instances, they want to speak to the technician who is working on the car.

My advice to you is, see what the dealer says about the reman unit. For all I know they may have already been down this path and that is what tech told them, or they are just playing it safe and going with the bulletin to make sure that they are covered because if they put in the wrong computer, it isn't returnable, etc. I don't know with the information that I have.

In all reality, there is suppose to be nothing different between a reman unit and a new unit, but since my warehouse stocks both, and there isn't a clear cut answer, I am a bit on the cautious side to just say use the reman unit.

You know, I treated your situation just as if it were at my store. The only thing I'd do differently, and I don't know if they did or not, is go that extra mile to find out what the difference is. I even asked a tech and in theory, a new reman unit should have all the updated information. The question is, when did they come out with the reman unit? before or after the bulletin? The two bulletins pertain to specific complaints and codes, so if you came into my store with one of those, or vehicle exhibited the code on the bulletin, I would have my tech open the tech case, because I would want to know the answer. So as it stands, I cannot blame the dealer for siding on side of caution. Let me just add one thing here, the profit margin on the two is relatively the same. By that, I mean that it would make no difference to me if I sold you the more expensive or less expensive one, the margin is realatively the same. In fact, if I had the option, or if I could, I would go for the less expensive one because I would stand a better shot at selliing a $600.00 computer than a $1600.00 one.

With all that, the 89661-08061 would work. Keep in mind that just because your computer did or did not fall in lines with the TSBs, doesn't mean that the compurter you get from the junk yard will or will not. Again, the TSB states the optimal word "some." After you install the junk yard computer, you'll have to drive your Sienna around for a bit so that the computer can re-learn everything from your vehicle. Even at that, you do stand a chance of having a bad used computer. It is a gamble, but hey, $70.00 is better than $1700.00.

I really do wish I could be of more help, but I am limited by certain variables, etc.
I hope what I have done gets you somewhere.

Thanks again Gary. You have been more help than anyone. It really does take some, thought, skill and knowledge to properly diagnose something and give the customer the proper advice without draining their bank account. I dont get the feeling my local dealer has the knowledgable staff to do what you are doing. I never get the feeling that anyone is there to serve the customer. Just a job to them. You take it in for something and they try to scare you into having other things repaired at ridiculous prices. The van is worth maybe $5,000 and they hand you a suggested list of repairs that would cost $4,000. And you are right, they would have more luck selling me a $600 computer than a $1,600 computer. And I have been to them for several things. For instance, the drivers door handle broke. I bought a new one from a dealer out of state. I disassembled the interior of the door, removed the old one completely but then could not get the new one installed after an hour of trying. So I take it to the dealer and have them install it figuring a broken door handle is pretty common and easy for them to do. Well, I get a bill for 1.5 hours ($155.) So needless to say i do not trust them and have zero confidence in there skills. If I did I would take it there for more things. I will keep you posted on my CEL journey. Thanks again.

You know it always pains me when I hear horror stories like yours. Yes, this is a business, and yes it is a job, but I chose this profession for me, not my customers. I enjoy helping my customers and I always put myself in my customers shoes. I know how hard it is to hear you need a repair or maintenance for hundreds of dollars. I also have one of those personalities that there is always an answer, even if it isn't the one you want to hear. But in your case, it takes a bit of caring, knowledge and effort to find that out. If indeed you needed the $1600.00 computer, I would want to explore every possible option and know 100% for a fact that is the one you need. At this particular time, and with what I have to go on, I can't make that statement. I would want to know why or if I could use the $600.00 computer and if I couldn't why not. That way, I could at least explain to you the who, what, where, when, and why's of the expensive one.

Once again, I am sorry for your experience at your local dealer, and only wish I could have been of more help. If, in the future, you ever need anything please don't hestiate to contact me, even if it isn't parts or parts sale related. I am usually in here just about everyday, but don't let that stop you, you can email, call, etc.

I finally took my 01 Sienna to the local Toyota dealer for evaluation. They said the problem was the Bank 1 pre-cat. The Bank 1 pre-cat is included in the Y-pipe part of the exhaust. The dealer wanted $1700 to replace it! Needless to say, I did not go for this highway robbery. I bought a Walker pipe off Rockauto.com for about $255. I also bought the Denso O2 sensor for the back bank(#1, Air/Fuel) too. (I previously replaced the front one) I installed both of these over the weekend. After checking my OBD2 scanner yesterday, the Catalyst monitor now shows "OK." So I believe it finally passed the catalyst monitor test. I had already changed out the rear main cat and it's O2 sensor. Changing the Bank 1 O2(Air/fuel) sensor may not have been necessary, but with 130K miles it was probably nearing the end of its life. If you want to go even cheaper, you can buy just a new Walker pre-cat and have it welded into the existing Y-pipe. You would probably have to remove the Y-pipe to have this done however.