DIY - Check/Replace your CPS Sensor

After combing through many threads on this I decided to check my CPS in my 2017 TRD Sport to see if I have the new version of the sensor. Mine was made in Mexico with a build date of 8/16. These steps can be used to check for the "hash" marking on the newer sensor OR replace the CPS. They run about ~$100 online.

1). Remove the passenger wheel to make gaining access much easier. Once the wheel is off, use a panel removal tool or screwdriver to remove the top plastic keepers on the rubber flap toward the rear of the wheel well and let it flop down for access to the sensor.



2). Remove the connector from the sensor. Hint: There is a rubber boot over the connector you need to pull back to press the plastic retainer clip to remove the connector.



3). Remove the 10mm bolt that holds the sensor to the block and gently pull the sensor and it will pull out of the block.





4). Inspect the sensor for the "hash" mark which is widely believed to denote the new version of the sensor. See mine below which has the hash mark circled.



5). At this point either reuse your sensor if you believe it to be the newer version OR replace the sensor with a new one. Reverse the procedure of removal and be sure to torque the 10mm bolt to 7 ft-lbs or 10nm. Plug in the electrical connector and reinstall the two plastic retainers for the rubber cover and you're done!

 

Great writeup, and also here.

There may be a recall on some of these CPS.

 

Nice write up, thanks!

 

Great write up, changed mine a month ago. Those doing this might consider keeping your invoice for the new sensor. Under NHTSA rules Toyota has to reimburse you for the cost of the part for a safety recall if you do it yourself. The rules are on the NHTSA website in the safety recall section. Also you can enter the information on the toyota owners app for maintenance performed, and if you take it in for service your dealership won't pull any crap about having to replace the sensor (15 min job) and give you a yellow Yugo to drive while they spend the day looking for the right part.

 

Great idea! Since I am not on the recall list, I'll keep the receipt in case they add mine so then at that point I'll get reimbursed for it. But for piece of mind I'm gonna change mine.

 

IS the sensor already out in the first picture?

It goes from zoomed out to zoomed in, and the zoomed out picture appears to already have the sensor removed..but its shown first. Unless I'm not following this sequence.

Its a tad confusing.

 

Haha yes. I forgot to take a picture of taking the rubber flap down so I used the pic with the sensor out to show the fact the wheel off gives you much better access to the sensor. The steps are dead on and should not be confusing.

 

Nice writeup! I have one question, and I'm NOT trying to be a dick... Once you pull the boot back and disconnect the harness, can the marking on the CPS be seen without removing it from the block?

 

Even though yours had the mark, thus assuming it's the new version of the sensor, did changing it have any effect on the vehicle?

 

Actually that is a great question. I had a hard time seeing it mounted and I also wanted to pull it to see how the replacement would go so I could make the write-up since I was that far. If your eyes are better than mine you may be able to see the mark while still mounted.

 

I haven't changed it yet. Before I ordered one I wanted to see how hard the job would be before I spent the money. It is a 15min or less job. I don't believe I currently have any problems so when I replace it, which I will, I doubt I'll notice any difference.

 

Fair enough

 

You guys are lucky, I had a hell time removing that dam connector.
Having said that, I've long have had the suspicion this little (cps) sensor maybe responsible for some driving concerns, maybe even some transmission hiccups some complain about. Sounds far fetch I know, but in reading some of the failure threads and symptoms, its there.
And the job it has to do because of the Atkinson engineering design, it may have to be more precise than other specs, but that's just imo.

Cheers!

 

So did replacing yours result in fixing some of your concerns/issues??

 

No, I did not have any concerns or issues up to the time, but I new it was a problem by the failure rate others were having.

Cheers!

 

2016 TRD. Being told I have a defective CPS. Truck stopped running several times over the course of a two hour trip. Would not start for about 10 min after it died, but than would run for quite a while. Seems like when I excelerated hard, the truck would die. Kind of makes sence now. Think I will keep an extra one with me just in case. This post and pics was extremely helpful. Nice job.

 

Nice write up OP ! It's post like this that truly helps TW members as I for one didn't even know where that sensor was located.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc3fMHSXwbo

 

Thank you for posting this. Now, can you recall any, and I mean any, weirdness from the engine prior to these stalling episodes? Something that led up to the stalls? I've had severe bogging sometimes when on the throttle hard. Other times the engine seems to cut out for a split second when at idle. Most of the time it runs fine though...

BTW, what was your build date and are you on the CPS recall?

 

Pro tip: Remove the sensor from the block first, then disconnect the connector.