2020 SR5 Premium with rough, shaking idle at start and check engine light

Hi everyone,

This morning when I started my 2020 SR5 Premium 4x4, the 4Runner immediately began to idle so rough it was shaking and then the check engine light came on.

I only have window tint, LED headlight bulbs, and an Icon Stage 2 lift installed so far. I don't even have wheels and tires installed yet (wheels are backordered).

Does anyone know what could cause this? I've already tried turning it off and back on a few times, disconnected and reconnected the battery, checked the oil level, and the same thing happens. Thanks for any help in advance.

 

Not a good sign on a 2020, I'd say. FYI, I had a check engine light come on and loss of power happen at 300 miles on the odo on my 2019. Turned out to be a rodent-chewed ignition wire, most likely in transit from Japan. Just something to check.

 

Thanks. I'll have the dealer look at that when I get it towed.

 

Just so you know, the dealer I took mine to, which was confirmed by the dealer I purchased the truck from, let me know that rodent-chewed wiring is not covered under warranty.

 

I hear ya. Well, we'll see what the dealer says. I'm just waiting for the tow truck to get here.

 

I'm at the dealership now. Turns out glwood54's guess was right. Rats chewed through the wiring on top of the manifold, under the engine cover. This is going to possibly get expensive.

 

I'm partially relieved that it's not a fault on Toyota's part or lack of build quality, but I'm going to be spending my insurance deductible almost right after spending almost $3k on suspension. This sucks.

 

Sorry man, I feel your pain. In my case, I was in the middle of nowhere, between cities on a trip. My truck actually started running ok after I restarted it, just long enough to get to a dealer in the city of destination...

Stupid soy-based wire insulation. Another brilliant idea.

 

So... the damage is repairable instead of changing the entire wiring harness, but it's going to be $800. Luckily, my insurance will cover, but I'm still going to be out a $500 deductible, plus whatever an exterminator for the rat removal will cost. Here's some pictures of the damage.

 

Wow! Those little pests really went to town! Not the worst I've seen, but still sucks for you.

 

I hear spraying deer urine on your wires works to repel rodents.

It's just difficult to angle the deer correctly to hit the wires

But seriously, deer urine.

 

I bet snake poop would scare them away? I’ve got plenty of that??

 

Thank you for your condolences, glwood54. I feel grateful for at least not being stuck out on the freeway on my way to work.

The service writer at the dealership said to stuff dryer sheets anywhere in the engine bay where there are wires and no moving parts because the rats don't like them for some reason. I don't like that idea because I'm afraid the sheets will catch fire from the manifold or another hot part of the engine.

I've already set up 5 rat trap claws with peanut butter in their usual "hangout areas", so we'll see if I can't get 'em.

Deer urine and snake poop will be reserved as a more drastic option.

 

I tied dryer sheets under the hood, seems to be working.

 

You’re also gonna want to check your cabin air filter (glove compartment access) and make sure nothing crawled down inside from the engine bay.

warning: be very careful as you do this. If they nested on the filter or stashed stuff in there, you don’t want to yank out the filter and have all the junk fall down into the fan. It’s kind of a tricky deal. Just pull it out a little bit and see if you can see with a flashlight. If there’s stuff in there, you’ll want to remove the plastic on the bottom of the windshield and remove the “nest” from the engine bay.

 

the repellent I use is a noise maker and I spray the wires with silicone safe paint spray.. also a mint spray will also repel the rodents.
looks like a squirrel did the chew ..
this week I got two squirrels they love Toyota wiring ! so I go nuts when I see them in my property and I feed them to the predators ..

 

Dryer sheets and Irish Spring soap carvings in the engine bay.
Sorry this happened to you OP. Bummer to say the least.

 

Bounce dryer sheets didn’t work for me in the lawn shed last winter. Opened the door in the spring and had about 30 mice staring right at me. I was swatting them with a shovel. Nests all over the place. And I put a LOT of dryer sheets in there.

 

OP check out this YT Video that I also posted in this thread. Wow! These varmints really love 4Runner guts.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/chewed-wiring.12044/#post-124583

 

What do you suggest?

 

FreshCab

https://www.menards.com/main/outdoo...nt-repellent-4-pack/98703/p-1444427751360.htm

 

My step-mom’s Prius got eaten alive. $7,000+ and 3 weeks at the dealer (some of the delay was waiting for the mercenary insurance adjuster). Hired our own mercenary (local pest control guy) who “cleaned house” and is maintaining the traps/bait stations.

Dad and step-mom used to have a small motorhome they stored outside. They put mothballs in little drawstring bags in the engine compartment when they weren’t using it. Never had a problem with rodent squatters. Mothballs could get messy at running temperature since the paradichlorobenzene has a low melting point (127.6°F). Another option might be to put a single mothball on top of each tire. The tires are going to be their route in, and they’re not going to want to hang around stinky mothballs.

 

Thank you.
Will get a couple sacks.

 

This looks just like the crap you plug inside your house as well. And doesn't work.

 

I have no experience with the product and have no idea if it works or not. Up to OP if he wants to try it out and find out.

 

Hi SlvrSlg. Where did you tie them to? Do you have any pictures by chance that I can reference?

 

Thank you both for your input. I've tried those plug-in repellants before. They work for my neighbor across the street, but not for me for some reason.

 

I was looking at reviews on Mcat707’s MouseBlocker and found an interesting line on an Amazon post ...

“It also helps to make sure the air recirculation switch is set to recirculate when I turn the car off - that closes a flap where the outside air is drawn in, and keeps the critters out of the air filter compartment”

Doesn’t help with rodent diners in the engine compartment, but it may make it more difficult for the varmints to expand their domicile into the filter box and subsequent interior of the vehicle.

 

Toyota should get hammered for this crap...