P0012 issues

Hi everyone, new to the forum with a big problem I hope you can all help with. I have a 2010 Tundra SR5 with 152,000 miles on it that runs excellent, but. Several weeks ago, the engine light went on, and off several times. The repair shop I go to, who has been spectacular with all things I have done, first switched solenoids to make sure it wasn’t a solenoid issue. A different solenoid fires the same code so they tried the cheapest thing first and the code stayed. So, up next was a $5,092 timing belt change/rebuild. That done, drove the vehicle to ND fishing. No light all good. On the way home, light comes on, drives fine back to Wisconsin. Took it back and swapped solenoids to determine now a solenoid issue. Now new solenoids for 1.5 weeks and guess what. P0012 is back. I’ve got $5500.00 into this in less than 1 month and it still runs great! Wondering if anyone has ever encountered this or heard of it? I love the truck, it’s paid for, other than this, only other issue was it went into “limp mode” last year which was fixed ($2800) and no issues since. A different truck will hit me 50K, any thoughts or suggestions what to do?

 

4.7L? What solenoid?

 

2010 Crewmax SR5 4.6L. I’m a nurse and not very mechanically inclined so I hope I get this right. Solenoids 1&2 were the ones swapped. When original bank 2 was placed into bank 1, the same code fired, which led to the timing belt change. The shop told me when the belt was removed, the belt was worn and thus the issue. When it happened again, we switched bank 1 to bank 2 and it then fired a bank 2 code which led us to believing that the solenoid (1)was the issue. So I had them replace solenoid 1 and 2. Today, about 1.5 weeks later, P0012 fires again. I would think the chain should not again be retarded in about 800 miles. As well I would think the solenoid should not have again gone out at about 100 miles. Any chance the ECM is acting up and wearing out? I’m to the point of just leaving the light on and driving it until it dies as I’m not sticking much more into it and don’t really want to spend 50K on a newer used truck.

 

So I breezed through this:
http://www.ttundra.com/805/camshaft...formance_bank_1_p0011_p0012_p0021_p0022_.html

...and from what you've shared, it seems that your shop has tried some of the procedures listed there. Maybe share that page with them just to be sure. I might wonder if it's possible that they may have missed inspecting the Oil Control Valve Filters for debris. Heck, I didn't even know they existed, I've never read mention of them. There's also the Camshaft Timing Great Assembly to inspect before the suggestion to replace the ECM.

 

Thanks Wyndded. They checked the filters before redoing the timing belt. Their hope, as was mine that this may have been the issue. No such luck though. I’m taking it back in today for their thoughts so….

 

Best of luck, if a fix is found, the forum is always interested in what that happens to be.

 

Given everything, in your opinion, is it time to cut the cord as I already have over $5500.00 into this with no solution? Or just run it with an engine light on and take my chances?

 

I thought the 4.6 came with a timing chain? If it did and was replaced from what I understood in your initial post, then there is a chance the timing is off... there was a post earlier in the year about someone doing a timing chain replacement and had a very difficult time setting timing. Don't remember any of the codes if they posted any, but the truck wouldn't start, or started rough.. this appears to be the intake camshaft which may have been set 1 tooth too far retarded which the ECM can't undo... this is my understanding...

 

I would be inclined to stick with the vehicle with it being paid for and all and seems to be running fine and seems reliable. I would continue to try to have the issue sorted though, as I enjoy a puzzle. Of course with values being so high, you may find an appealing trade-in offer from a dealership. Getting another vehicle would be an entirely different discussion.

A part of the mystery is that it seems to be running fine, in fact it did so on a mentioned road trip. Most of it anyway, only setting a CEL.

 

Yeah I read that part.. it may only cause reduced mpg, among other things over time but can live on with a CEL until it eventually dies..

 

It does run good. I ran it from Green Bay to North Dakota and back with no issues. This would was my 2nd trip like this with the truck and my boat and no MPG difference. This is why I wonder about just running it. That said, as was eluded to, should o take the trade in while I can. To top it off, I’m going back to ND with it and my boat on Friday. Sigh…

 

Thanks Black Demon, I will ask if the timing still could be off. Wife just took it in and they are resetting the computer for free. They are good guys and don’t have to do this so I will ask about the timing, next.