Serious Problem. Need Help.

[pflanz]

Hello. I recently acquired a 2003 Vibe AWD. When I got it, it was running on 3 cyl, and when I spoke to the mechanic who was working on it said that it needed new coils and plugs, which I replaced. The car no longer seemed as if it was running on 3 cyl. The car now seems to be running fine as long it is running cold, but it sarts running really hard and won't run properly. Wont go over 3k rpm or less. I brought it to an auto parts place for the code read, this is what I got:P0100P0110P1310(pending, I believe0P0303(pending)BTW, the auto parts store would not clear the codes.The first 2 codes were for MAF, which I replaced with a new one. My brother thought that it might be a fuel pump issue,due to the fact that the previous owner had a broken and exposed gas cap on the car. so I changed out the fuel pump and sock. I've had the injectors cleaned, replaced the air filter, MAF sensor and fuel pump changed, chaged the coils and plugs and Ive cleared out the CEL by disconnecting the battery. But still the problem persists, The car runs like a champ whenever cold but, the second it seems to get to normal running temp. the CEL starts flashing and the car just goes limp. Help, I dont want to take the car to a mechanic, and would rather fix the issue myself.

[joatmon]

There's a link to an on-line Toyota Matrix service manual in Sublimewind's signature, the link is http://madstyle1972.com/Repair A useful reference since its effectively the same car, especially regarding the engine. Has trouble code info, and detailed steps to take to try to further isolate and corect CEL causes.According to that manual, the description and possible causes for the CEL's you are getting are:P0100 Mass Air Flow Circuit Malfunction - Open or short in air flow meter circuit - Air flow meter - ECMP0110 Intake Air Temp. Circuit Malfunction - Open or short in intake air temp. sensor circuit - Intake air temp. sensor (built into air flow meter) - ECMP1310 Igniter Circuit Malfunction (No. 3) - Ignition system - Open or short in IGF or IGT3 circuit from No. 3 ignition coil with igniter to ECM - No. 3 ignition coil with igniter - ECMP0303 Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected - Open or short in engine wire - Connector connection - Vacuum hose connection - PCV hose - Ignition system - Injector - Fuel pressure - Mass air flow meter - Engine coolant temp. sensor - Compression pressure - Valve clearance - Valve timing - ECMI don't really know what to offer as a next step. It seems to behaving like it would if you had a bad MAF, but you replaced that already, so the assumption is that the new one is good. All of those codes have the ECM as a possible cause, but it would be a non-trivial cost to replace it if it doesn't fix the problem.

[pflanz]

What does the pending message mean? Pending what? Does this mean that it is still misfiring , or is it waiting for the other issues to be resolved? I have not had the codes read since I changed the MAF sensor.BTW, thanks for the link, I'm glad to see that there is something like this on-line. There are no repair manuals for sale in my local area.

[joatmon]

Some error conditions get a code set whenever they are detected, some need to be detected more than once before the code is set. For example, anytime the system detects an open or short inthe MAF circuit, it sets P0100, and turns on the check engine light. One error and you get the light right away. For the P0303 misfire code, the first time it detects a misfire, it remembers that it happened but doesn't turn on the CEL. If the car goes through 40 warm up cycles without having the misfire come back, it forgets it ever saw a misfire. However, if it detects a second misfire on that cylinder before the 40 misfire-free warm up cycles have passed, it then sets the code and turns on the CEL. In that interim period when it has detected one misfire and is waiting to see if there will be another, the code is "pending".

[Sublimewind]

sounds like a temp sensor of either the coolant or intake... pretty obvious.. everything goes wonky at warm up.. Possibly a coolant issue if it runs HOT.. could be a thermostat that's not opening... not sure if our system is a fail to open or not.. Is there any coolant in the motor?

[pflanz]

When I went to get an oil change, the tech mentioned that there was a lot of rust in the radiator. The temp gauge on the dash, reads that the temp seems to be fine. Would a faulty thermostat make the car come up with those codes? I was partly suspecting that the thermostat may be the problem. Since the part is cheap, I'm gonna go ahead and change it, but unfortunately I will have to wait until tuesday or wednesday to do it.

[pflanz]

SO now, I borrowed a code reader and now the codes for the MAF sensor are gone. I played around withe code reader, cleared the codes and this is what I have gotten:P1300P1305To save anyone the trouble of looking them up, they are Igniter Circuit malfunction on cylinders 1 and 2. Fortunately the MAF sensor code is gone, but the car still is unable to really go anywhere. When I got the freeze frame data, this is what I got:RPM = 1460Load Value = 72.9%Coolant Temp = 165 FAir Intake Temp = 82 FSTFT1 = 0%LTFT1 = 0%STFT3 = -100.6%LTFT3 = -100.6%A friend of mine who is a mechanic, but unfortunately lives to far away to do any first hand dignostics though, said that there must be a vacuum hose leak or a bad intake manifold gasket. I did not notice any bad vacuum leaks. The hoses all seem to have their protective covers on them and appear to be in fine shape. My friend said that the STFT3 code is sign that these were the possible problems.Has anyone chaneged and Intake Manifold Gasket on a Vibe before? How tough a job is it? Anyone have another opinion?BtW, the thermostat does not seem to be a problem. The coolant level is within parameters and the car does not go above normal operating temp.

[neebishis]

Intake manifold gasket is not difficult to change. I replaced mine, but the only problem I was having was a stumble on idle, and not all the time.Buy your gasket from a Toyota Dealer....much cheaper than GM.

[wallyuwl]

Quote, originally posted by pflanz »Has anyone chaneged and Intake Manifold Gasket on a Vibe before? How tough a job is it? I'd also be interested in instructions on how to change this. Pictures would be helpful as well if available. The word is that it is easy to do, but I haven't been able to find any "how to" info. I plan on ordering the updated red gasket from the Toyota dealer.

[lovemyraffe]

Quote, originally posted by wallyuwl »I'd also be interested in instructions on how to change this. Pictures would be helpful as well if available. The word is that it is easy to do, but I haven't been able to find any "how to" info. I plan on ordering the updated red gasket from the Toyota dealer.It really isn't very difficult. You need to remove the throttle body and then 4-6 bolts that hold the intake manifold in place. Just be sure to torque the bolts back on correctly. The intake manifold is plastic and could be cracked if you torque it too much.

[wallyuwl]

Quote, originally posted by lovemyraffe »It really isn't very difficult. You need to remove the throttle body and then 4-6 bolts that hold the intake manifold in place. Just be sure to torque the bolts back on correctly. The intake manifold is plastic and could be cracked if you torque it too much.Do you know what the bolts need to be torqued to? I don't have a torque wrench and will have to get one. I probably should have gotten one a while ago since there are times I've needed it but instead just guessed at the torque. Never done a gasket before, though, and don't want it ruined during install.

[lovemyraffe]

Quote, originally posted by wallyuwl »Do you know what the bolts need to be torqued to? I don't have a torque wrench and will have to get one. I probably should have gotten one a while ago since there are times I've needed it but instead just guessed at the torque. Never done a gasket before, though, and don't want it ruined during install.Intake manifold mounting nuts: 22 ft-lbsIntake manifold support bracket bolts: 37 ft-lbs