Truck broke down today...

Was taking the horses home from a practice and my truck broke down while towing. Trailer weight 3100#, 2 horses loaded - one adult (1000# on the high end) and one yearling (500#) - total weight around 4600# - 5000# (no equipment in the trailer, just the horses). Truck has 5600 miles on it.

Getting on the onramp to a freeway here in San Diego, accelerating and got to about 40-45 mph when I lost all power. Still had my foot on the gas - RPMs wouldn't respond, couldn't accelerate. Made my way to the shoulder and stopped. Engine had a rough idle in park - sounded like "fluttering." Check engine light was blinking and my "trac control off" light was on.
I needed to get myself and the horses off the freeway so I made for the next exit using the shoulder. My truck wouldn't go above 1500RPM (while still doing the engine flutter)- it would hit 1500rpm and then I'd lose power and drop to 1000rpm, then I would accelerate to 1500 and then drop to 1000. All the way (1/2 mile) to the next offramp.
Pulled into a college parking lot (thankfully it was Saturday...) and turned the truck off. I let it sit for about 10 minutes while I called a family member to come with a truck to take the horses and trailer home. When I started the truck back up, everything was fine. No check engine light, no more flutter from the engine. I drove it around the parking lot (with the trailer) without issue.
Still didn't trust it so I called the dealership nearby and told them. He said he was sending a tow truck to get it and bring it in.

I took my truck in last week for the 5000mi service where they said they rotated tires, checked tire pressure, and checked all fluid levels. After waiting 2 hours, I was pulling out of the dealership and my "Check Oil level, add or replace" light came on. So I turned around and drove back in and told them. They gave me the run around of "Oh, that's weird...since it's synthetic oil, we only change at 10,000mi" but they took it in the back and checked anyway. Mechanic said the levels were all in the green zone but they topped off the oil anyway. They took it for a 2 mile test drive to see if the light came back on (it didn't) and then gave it to me. They basically chalked it up to a weird computer issue.

The only aftermarket things I have on it are LED lo-beams, LED fogs and a trailer brake assist module. Nothing else.

**Forgot to mention** When the tow truck came, the driver got out and asked me what happened. After I told him he asked if I got everything out of the truck that I needed before he loaded it up. He turned on my truck and took off with it. "Gunned it" seems a little exaggerated but he sure stuck the petal and went off at about 40mph. Then turned it around and lined it up with the tow truck. He got out and I was like "Hey man, don't be breaking anything else in there. I need this to get to the dealership so THEY can look at it" and he goes "Oh well, I have driven these a couple times before and it feels like your transmission isn't running right." I said "Let's let the dealership figure that out" and watched him as he strapped it down and towed it away. Was pissed about that too...

Not sure what is going on but man I am bummed. I'm well beneath the towing capacity for this vehicle and have towed several times before longer distances. I'm banking on that check engine light and to see what code it threw. Thankfully my warranty is covering everything and I'll be damned if I am giving them a penny at this point. Anyone have ideas I'm overlooking? Thanks...

 

Not really sure.

Your engine was in limp mode, which got reset when you turned the motor off and the driver restarted it.

When my truck had that issue it was a misfire that caused the issue and the ECU went into limp mode to avoid motor damage. Happened 3 times. Shutting the motor off and turning it back on it ran like a top until the planets aligned again and caused a misfire.

I'm sure you'll know quite a bit more midweek. Sorry to hear it.

 

Wow, interesting to hear. So it was a fail safe? I wonder what triggered it...Thanks for the help. Any bit of information helps. I'll definitely update with what the dealership says. Since it's the weekend, it's stuck there tomorrow for the most part. I don't care how long they keep it, I just want it 100%.

 

I have a feeling the dealer is going to say no issues. I think we'll have to remember to record these things with our phones as proof.

Good luck.

 

My situation was much different just with a similar symptom.

I wouldn't think limp mode would be triggered by a transmission issue but with all the sensors and things these days, I suppose that is possible.

That said, I wouldn't think it is.

 

The trucks Check Engine light came on. So there's a code that I will be asking for which will definitely point to an issue that they need to address. I won't let them get away with saying "Couldn't replicate." I'm ready to burn the place to the ground after all this.

 

That's my concern - when I took the truck in for the service I mentioned how difficult it was for me to simply check fluids myself. The service rider told me that the 2016 features a sealed engine and there was no way to check fluids or any other mechanics without a Toyota certified tech looking at it. Something about a proprietary tool they use to access the engine itself. He mentioned they were "still learning about the new engine...it's much different than older models" which tells me they are just trying their best with issues that arise since it's still so new. Fine by me but still scary to know that there's no where I can truly take my truck for it to be seen by someone who actually knows what's going on / what to look for.

 

I'm fairly positive you will be ok. Codes are stored in the computer and will be easy to see. As for as the issue, I wouldn't sweat it until you hear from the dealer. You may just be getting extra upset over nothing right now, when you should really just be bummed about our truck.

 

Very true. It happened late this afternoon and I'm still so riled up about it. I have no ride to work tomorrow and it's just not something I saw coming with a brand new truck. I'm sure the dealership will take care of it. I just hear these horror stories about dealerships finding excuses to not do warranty repairs because of aftermarket add ons and such. But, you're right. No use holding out angry until the truck has been seen and I've been updated.

 

oh believe me, I had to learn this lesson.
My Raptor started pissing Power steering fluid in Utah, while I was coming home from on a road trip and I was furious for 3000 kms until I dropped it off at my dealer to fix it.
I had to add fluid almost every time I needed gas, not something you should have to deal with on a new truck. But that was just one of the many things like that with my Raptor
I hope you have better luck than me!

 

A dealership cannot void your warranty or deny warranty work based on aftermarket parts unless they can prove that they were directly responsible for whatever happened. If they try and tell you otherwise, tell them you are aware of the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act and they need to provide you with proof. Based on the aftermarket parts you mentioned earlier, I highly doubt they had anything to do with what happened to your truck.

From Edumunds.com: "Although many dealers would have you think otherwise, simply having an aftermarket part or modifying your vehicle cannot void your warranty.....The saving grace for consumers is the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975. The act states that a dealer must prove that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before it can deny warranty coverage."

http://www.edmunds.com/auto-warranty/what-voids-your-vehicles-warranty.html

 

WTH???? Sealed Engine? I am confused. There is this secret thing called a hood latch! I am a certified tech ... just not a Toyota Tech. You can easily check the engine oil with the dipstick, power steering, coolant, brake fluids etc. WHAT is "tough" is to check the tranny fluid. There is no dipstick. The tranny has to be at a certain temp and then remove a plug on the side of the tranny.

To check and "configure" engine diagnostics and settings you need a tool like techstream. This tool also requires a subscription which is costly.

http://www.dealershipcloseouts.com/store/#!/Toyota-Techstream-Dealer-Package/p/49989774

I have 10,000 miles on mine, and just had the service. I dropped it off at the dealership for 4 days to troubleshoot tranny shifting concerns/fuel mileage etc. I spent a few hours with their top Tacoma/4Runner tech talking "tech" talk about the new 2016 engine/transmission/ECU changes and troubleshooting. I have a WAY BETTER understanding of the powerband and best practices. I am lucky, my dealership has some very good techs that are certified and have gone to the new Toyota school on the 3.5L engine and 6 speed transmissions.

So, lift up your hood: you can easily check all engine levels. You can purchase a "scan tool" to READ your codes, but you need techstream to get deeper into the system and configure it.

There must be a code in your system stating what the problem was. Sometimes these codes are generic like O2 sensor voltage on bank 2 was high. So more in depth testing is needed.

Who knows maybe something simple like bad gas with some water that caused a misfire that put your engine into limp mode.

Good Luck OP, hopefully something simple so they can fix it and boost back your confidence and back to enjoying your new truck.

 

I think I'd be at the dealer 1st thing in the am getting a courtesy car.

Hope it's something simple. That's why they have a warranty I guess

 

Do not tow with the ECT button engaged.

 

The manual specifically says the opposite.

 

I believe the opposite is true:

 

I pull a horse trailer with my Tacoma, and it's great, but the last thing you want is a breakdown when you've got horses to deal with, especially on a freeway. That's why I bought a new Tacoma, dependability. My heart goes out to you, man. Until this gets solved, you're not going to feel great using to tow. "Limp Mode!!!" Wow, you learn something new everyday on this forum.

 

Worst trolling post ever.