Search to find teh LIFT Problem

[R K e 1 C A]

So I’ve lost LIFT and can’t understand what it is.

checklist of done stuff:
New Brakes (Rotors and Pads) for Road Trip from CO to NY
Added/topped off Coolant
Cleaned MAFS Sensor
Lubricated Belt for squeaking
Replaced both LIFT Bolts w/3rd Gen. (Silver) Bolts…luckily both the Intake and Exhaust side Bolts were not broken
Other basic stuff Tire Rotation, Oil Change, etc. etc.

for some reason, when I 1st installed the Bolts, felt like LIFT would kick in but my RPM’s only go to 7,000 instead of 8,200 RPM…thought it was the Needle re-calibration but did that as well

only other thing I think it could be is the Greddy Oil Catch…the Hose from the Throttle Body to the Catch Can was sucking in on itself, replaced that as well

still can’t seem to find the solution and the CEL is 1st one I’ve had on for this long….should I uninstalled the Catch Can and/or do you guys think it might be something Electrical?

suggestions, comments, etc. appreciated

[slidr]

What's the code?

[importfreak8]

my guess is hes getting a p1693...sounds very much like a ocv problem to me. if you arent going pass 7000 its a ocv problem for sure.

[Lamar Vannoy]

I get the same code, sometimes, and when I checked the OCV it worked fine. I haven't checked the lift bolts yet but I bet they are fine too, 10k on motor maybe 20-25 on bolts. Only other options are ECU and pressure switch or the dude rebuilt my head wrong, if that's even possible.

[2way]

Sticky: VVT-i & VVTL-i OCV Screen Cleaning Guide

[GSBoek]

Also check groundwires to Lift OCV housing. Could be the OCV, could be an open or short between OCV and ECM, could be the groundwires.

I'm waiting on feedback from another member who has had the P1693 code. He was going to switch the VVT-i and Lift OCVs. His VVT-i OCV is working but his Lift OCV isn't. By switching them (they are interchangeable for '00 and '01, don't know for the later models) he should stop getting a P1693 code and start getting a P1656 code since according to dealer it's a fried OCV that is causing his P1693.
However, this exercise should be done only to determine if the OCV itself is at fault or not. If switching them out doesn't change code from a P1693 to a P1656 then you know that the problem is elsewhere. There's no need to rev engine past 4k in this case. I don't know of anybody who's tried to hit Lift with a nonworking timing OCV so I don't know what all could happen. My best bet is that the ECU will go into safe mode anyways and prevent lift if the timing OCV isn't working.

[R K e 1 C A]

thanks for all the info guys

since my Alternator maybe going soon and it doesn't look like it was a Battery problem...looks like maybe able to kill two birds w/one stone type of deal

replace Alternator and clean OCV Valve and possibly replace the Belt

[2way]

Go Gatorback

[R K e 1 C A]

possibly...anyone got one F.S. or see one around...appreciate it, i'm looking for one

[CelicaBigginer]

I can get one from autozone, hopefully my discount card still works.

[R K e 1 C A]

CelicaBigginer that would be great, please look into that and PM or eMail me anytime: westsidemon@aol.com

latest update:

1. bought Alternator w/"40,000" on it (mine has around 100K), installed it last night after some painstaking moves but got it installed.
however, the thing is worse than my old one as my Apexi RSM shows Volts is around 10-11 range where normal is around 14 for me

its not the Battery because actually was carrying around my old one and i was able to get it into the Garage

2. Cleaned both sides of OCV...the Lift side was a bit less dirty than the other side but cleaned both....LIFT still does not engage

3. thought it was my Greddy Oil Catch Can, put it back on OEM hose, still LIFT does not engage and goes up to 7000 RPM

4. i'll be springing for a better Alternator since i've got Audio equipment and many Electrical mods...also, did check the Alternator Fuse and that's fine


really having a hard time figuring this thing out


any help is appreciated

[2way]

R K e 1 C A, you can order the Gatorback from www.summitracing.com
You can also order through your local AutoZone

Do you have a CEL? Is it P1693? Is the VVTL oil pressure sensor connected? Have you tried swapping the VVTL OCV with the VVT OCV?

[R K e 1 C A]

hey 2way, thanks for the info about the Gatorback but may hold off on that for now

really would like to do it together but i moved out of my other Garage i was using for working on the ride so not sure if my new Garage i use just to store the ride would allow me to do it

if anyone here is around New York area and would be willing to help me out w/the install of the Belt and Alternator, would really appreciate that

[Celica402GTS]

get the part number for the gator back belt and go to summitracings.com ..u can get one for 37shipped..i bought mine from autozone and it was 50shipped..my friend got it from summitracing and it's cheaper..*******! lol

[neotestme]

For one guys, the ocv vvt cel code is P1656 and the vvtl code is P1693. Just change out your VVTL ocv and the cel will go away and you will have lift back, just went through this little problem, cept it was my vvt ocv.

[vin2490]

are you in the city/ i could help you out im in westchester if you need any help with the belt and ur alternator.

[R K e 1 C A]

Originally Posted by Celica402GTS

get the part number for the gator back belt and go to summitracings.com ..u can get one for 37shipped..i bought mine from autozone and it was 50shipped..my friend got it from summitracing and it's cheaper..*******! lol

thanks for the tip

[R K e 1 C A]

Originally Posted by vin2490

are you in the city/ i could help you out im in westchester if you need any help with the belt and ur alternator.

vin2490 ygpm

[R K e 1 C A]

and teh Search continues...after going through two different Alternators...got the OEM one i started with back in there and up and running at least

i'm going to try and Clean my Connectors which was something i found through Searching, hopefully if someone is going through same thing as me...this may help

[R K e 1 C A]

update: up and running but still without Lift

in regards to connectors...can someone give me a heads up on what to clean them with and how?


thanks guys

[drewd]

Originally Posted by 2way

Sticky: VVT-i & VVTL-i OCV Screen Cleaning Guide

I was going to say this also.

Did you tq your lift bolts down to proper spec?

[Gohan587]

did u check the VVTL ocv?.. did it pop?.. i have an extra OCV if u wanna take it off my hands..

i have an extra because when i first got my car i also didnt have lift. i searched through here and people told me to replace OCV, so i did but still had no lift. turned out just to be the clogged filter on the lift OCV. CHECK THIS!!

it is located to the left of the battery. Very easy to get to. when u pull the OCV check it!.. get some tester cables and touch the battery with them. if the OCV pops, its working. give it a good cleaning and clean your filter.

if u need then new ocv, PM me and i'll be glad to give it to you!

[R K e 1 C A]

did the OCV screen cleaning on both sides...thanks for the offer Gohan587, really do appreciate that, for now i'll hold off in case another Member needs it more than me

i'll be taking it into AutoZone to get my CEL Code so hopefully this will pin-point what exactly is going on

drewd, i didn't have the proper tools w/me up here in NY to Torque the LIFT bolts after replacing them, is this critical or will hand tightening suffice?

[millsie]

I've been wrestling with this same issue for months on and off. I threw 1693 a few months ago and did the following with no results:

Changed oil, seafoamed engine, removed OCV screen and cleaned (it was spotless anyways thanks to good syn oil)

Removed and checked OCV for proper operation, it opens with voltage.

Changed oil pressure sensor for a new one.

New liftbolts (not related to code but everyone I ask on this forum seems to suggest it for some reason)

Got frustrated, took it in to Toyota...they said it "might be the ECU"...thanks for the vote of confidence. Bought a used ECU...installed yesterday, no luck, still throwing the code, no lift, 7K redline.

Based on this...the only thing I think thats left is some sort of wiring short in the circuit, or the new oil pressure switch is somehow also faulty ,which I doubt.

This is my pain, what do you guys think?

[2way]

Overall low oil pressure?

[joe_coolish]

I'm getting the same error and I've done everything as well. Toyota said they'd fix it for between $250 and $500, which I don't have . . . Is there anything else that hasn't been suggested that I could try and do? I think i have the same thing as millsie

Thanks

[millsie]

I'm doubtful its low oil pressure, as that would likely cause other CEL's and an oil light to boot. Car runs great...until 6000rpm anyways. I'm going to test the circuits for continuity and see what developes, though I would be surprised if Toyota didn't do that already.

[b18b1tranny]

check coolant sensor, meaby ecu thinks you are always cold so if refuse to hit lift and rev limits at 7000, also this may not throw a code, so your other code, meaby, as nothing to do with your problem.

[2way]

Coolant sensor would prevent lift engagement altogether & wouldn't cause a P1693. A missing lock pin, excessive rocker play, some other pressure loss in the rocker arm system, bad/leaky o-ring for the sprayers, oil passage blockage ahead of the OCV or sensor, bad OCV, bad connection to OCV, bad connection to pressure switch, bad ECU OCV output, overall low oil pressure... are among some of the possibilities. Some of these would exhibit different symptoms, like the 2nd cam does not engage, etc.

Have you tried activating the OCV manually (apply voltage) when in idle? That is one of the diagnostic tests.

[millsie]

No, I did not perform that test per the BGB as I needed a second set of hands and never has anybody around. (Its the teset where you apply voltage manually and rev the engine correct?) I assumed Toyota would have done it when they performed their diagnostic but who knows.

The OCV worked when removed from the engine and voltage applied, so isn't that the same test?

Would bad lift bolts somehow cause this as well, they are newer...8 months, 9000kms or so.

Thanks again

[2way]

Originally Posted by millsie

The OCV worked when removed from the engine and voltage applied, so isn't that the same test?

Not quite.... doing it w/the OCV installed, tests the actual hydraulic operation of switching the cams.

(a) Start the engine and warm it up.
(b) Maintain engine speed at 1,500 – 2,500 rpm.
(c) Check the engine speed when operating the OCV for VVTL
Normal Results:
VVTL system is OFF (OCV is OFF): Normal engine speed
VVTL system is ON (OCV is ON): Rough engine speed or engine stalled

If you have some clip leads.... you can do it all by yourself from under the hood.

[millsie]

Interesting, I misread the test in my BGB. I'll give it a try and keep you posted. Assuming I don't get normal results - do I replace the OCV?

[2way]

Originally Posted by millsie

Assuming I don't get normal results - do I replace the OCV?

Assuming you don't get normal results AND that you've tested the OCV.... it would indicate a lack of sufficient oil pressure (which could also be caused by leaky seals in the OCV - I managed to leave that off the list).

[joe_coolish]

k, I got mine fixed! I removed the OCV filter and it had some red gunk WAY in there. I have no idea how it got there, but I pulled it out, and now it works! I called toyota and asked them what they thought, and they had no idea what it was. i was kinda scared because of how much gunk was really there, but I put it back together and hit the local freeway. I felt the lift kick in at about 6.5 rpms and it made me very happy! So yeah, look up in there and see if there is anything in the block.

Good luck!

[millsie]

Well I did some work tonight and well and wasn't as lucky. All the circuits were tested and they were fine, OCV passed, as did the pressure sensor and ECU.

Got frustrated and pulled the valve cover to inspect the 6 month old lift bolts and the intake one had BACKED OUT. Was literally standing up in its hole.

The way I interpret the lift system, the rocker arm assembly was thereby allowed to rotate freely and is now out of alignment, as the bolt will not thread back in...it bottoms into the rocker arm.

Any suggestion other then remove and replace the head?

Thanks fellas. I'm going to go have a pity beer.

[R K e 1 C A]

dang, lucky for you joe_coolish...when i cleaned both of mine, they were fairly clean

tried to clean my MAFs and a few connectors when i did my Oil Change but still no LIFT

gonna try to go get the Code when possible but for now, the CEL went away

millsie, where did you get all your Circuits tested or is it something i can buy and test for myself

[millsie]

I just used an ohm meter (one of those little multi-meters). Unplug both the circuit in question at the sensor and at the ECU then test for continuity. If the circuit is bad, the meter will not change.

The only thing you really need other then the meter is the ECU pinout diagram to make sure you test the right wire on the ECU side.

[R K e 1 C A]

pic of the diagram?

[millsie]

Its on this website somewhere. My camera is out of town right now

[2way]

Originally Posted by joe_coolish

k, I got mine fixed! I removed the OCV filter and it had some red gunk WAY in there.

Almost sounds like a grease, assembly lube, or some heavy oil additive like STP, Restore, or Lucas.

Originally Posted by millsie

Got frustrated and pulled the valve cover to inspect the 6 month old lift bolts and the intake one had BACKED OUT. Was literally standing up in its hole.

Rotate the rocker shaft back into alignment. That answers your problem, though.

[millsie]

I'm not clear how the rocker arm ties into the camshaft.

Will I need to remove the timing chain and just rotate the intake camshaft until I can line the bolt up? Or can I simply rotate the entire engine via the crank and line it up that way? Any suggested reading? I've read the TSB, but that doesn't really apply to me because I don't need to remove the rocker assembly to remove a bolt, I just need to re-align it.

Thanks for all the help.

[R K e 1 C A]

Finally got the OBO II Codes

P0300 & P0301 - Cylinder Misfire detected Cylinder 1 & Random Cylinders
So probable causes out of four possible is the Spark Plugs since never replaced them and I’m at 100K
Got me a new Plug and gonna see if that’s what was causing it
The guy said Iridium Plugs don’t need to be gapped and I can basically use a Wrench and make sure the threads don’t seize
If anybody else has any pointers that’d be much appreciated along w/how the Four Spark Plugs are lined up in the GTS

Also got this P0500 – Speed Sensor malfunction
Got Throttle Body Cleaner for that
If someone can let me know where the Speed Sensor is, that’d be great

Will post and hopefully after this will be the fix and it can be useful for other Members in the future

Thanks again guys for all your help and best of luck to those going through the same thing

[2way]

Originally Posted by millsie

I'm not clear how the rocker arm ties into the camshaft.

Will I need to remove the timing chain and just rotate the intake camshaft until I can line the bolt up? Or can I simply rotate the entire engine via the crank and line it up that way? Any suggested reading? I've read the TSB, but that doesn't really apply to me because I don't need to remove the rocker assembly to remove a bolt, I just need to re-align it.

Thanks for all the help.

You need to realign the rocker shaft to lign up the oil holes and the hole for the flange bolt.

Originally Posted by R K e 1 C A

Finally got the OBO II Codes

P0300 & P0301 - Cylinder Misfire detected Cylinder 1 & Random Cylinders
So probable causes out of four possible is the Spark Plugs since never replaced them and I’m at 100K
Got me a new Plug and gonna see if that’s what was causing it
The guy said Iridium Plugs don’t need to be gapped and I can basically use a Wrench and make sure the threads don’t seize
If anybody else has any pointers that’d be much appreciated along w/how the Four Spark Plugs are lined up in the GTS

Also got this P0500 – Speed Sensor malfunction
Got Throttle Body Cleaner for that
If someone can let me know where the Speed Sensor is, that’d be great

Will post and hopefully after this will be the fix and it can be useful for other Members in the future

Thanks again guys for all your help and best of luck to those going through the same thing

Only a single plug? Could be the coilpak... or could be bad MAF readings causing a misfire (I've had that happen). Speed sensor is on the tranny. Throttle body cleaner???

[R K e 1 C A]

will report back tomorrow w/results

[R K e 1 C A]

so today was a pretty crazy day for me

1st thing was change out all Four Spark Plugs w/NGK IX Iridium (recommended by Members and equivalent to OEM Denso)
never changed mine and i’m almost @ 100K

surprisingly, only one Plug showed actual wear but all four were replaced as recommended by the fellas at Pep Boys, torqued to Toyota spec 18
cleaned the Coil Packs as they did have some gunk on them and wiped them down again before re-installing

then i proceeded to clean what i thought was the Speed Sensor, from the two pics i had…it wasn’t much help as i thought it’d be since it was getting dark out but did manage to “clean” two sensors on the back side wayyy underneath the Battery

headed down to the Car Wash and on the way, long story short, on the way back, one of the Coil Packs were not attached fully…thank gawd for Triple AAA (those guys have been great for me here in New York on more than one occasion) literally was stranded in the middle of Lower Manhattan resolved that

i was getting a CEL on the trip to the Wash and was upset but after the ordeal, on the quick drive home, the CEL went away and hopefully i’ll have a chance to test out if this finally resolves not being able to LIFT at all for the last few months

will update tomorrow
BTW, if someone can describe where exactly the Speed Sensor is, i’d appreciate it…did a Search and got a few pics that was of a block already disassembled

[R K e 1 C A]

still w/out LIFT


can someone let me know where the Speed Sensor is?

[R K e 1 C A]

i think i may have pin pointed it, will update later on today

[R K e 1 C A]

still having issues but trying to get it resolved after:

the OCV sensor on the Intake Side, one of the connectors wasn't grounded due to a broken bolt and hopefully this takes care of that
Cleaning about 20 Electrical Connectors w/Engine Connection Cleaning stuff
did find a bit of OIL on top four connectors right below the four Coil Pack connectors
Cleaned MAFs Sensor w/MAFs sensor cleaner

then after some pain and headache w/trying to extract a broken bolt, popped a hole in the Big Coolant hose and had that replaced asap luckily a Toyota Dealership had one in stock

gonna take the Bubbles out of my Coolant system and see if that works

[R K e 1 C A]

so after taking care of the Coolant situation

final CEL code i'm getting is P500

can someone point out where the Speed Sensor is?

[2way]

Originally Posted by 2way

Speed sensor is on the tranny. Throttle body cleaner???

Its on the back side of the tranny. Look @ Page MX-9 of the Service Manual portion for a C60 tranny.

It isn't a "cleanable" item to my knowledge.