I knew it would happen. I’d buy this freakin auto parts store sensor, cut the end off so I could put a weather pack end on it to match the other end of the wire coming from the ecu, install it,..And the thing wouldn’t start.
After fiddling around, checking connections, reversing connections, it starts, but now it’s chugging, and there’s a freakin clicking noise coming out from under the dash in sync with the chugging noise. Swapping the wires changes nothing..it’s still chugging and clicking.
I look at the part number on my old sensor 90919-05037...The one in the engine now ends in 05022.
The differences between these engines......GE/GTE, and GTE VVTi.....Nothing is standard. There are different sensors for the different crank gear tooth count, and different impedances for the VVTi sensors. Nothing is local, and even what’s out there on the internet is either days or weeks away, or almost 200.00, and still days away.
Now I’m down to a week away from having to make the trip to Mississippi...with a car that won’t start reliably. Desperation has set in. I call A few online Toyota dealers ,..they don’t have it even though it’s listed as “ in stock”.One of them tells me that there are two of the things at some distribution center, but that the way they work, they’d have to order it, it would come to them first, then they’d ship it to me...In other words...Not by Thursday. The guy tells me that the only way I’d get it faster would be to buy it retail at one of the local dealers, they’d order it, and it would come to them directly. Then it’s simply a matter of picking it up from them the day it comes in.
And having to pay the retail price for an OEM part with the words Toyota on it......174.00 plus tax.
So,..what choice do I have then? I call Hoover Toyota, drop a “ This is Mike from Birmingham BMW” on ol dude,..and tell him that there is a part in Atlanta that I need him to get for me.
He checks, confirms that the part is in stock, and orders it. Takes my credit card, and quotes the “ Birmingham BMW” price at 133.00 plus tax... or...154.00. And it’ll be here at 9AM Thursday..
Despite that, Im still pissed...A 2jz,....as popular as they are/were is just as hard to get parts for as it was for the old engine.Probably shoulda put a 5.0 Windsor in the thing.
Id have shot myself in the face by now out of sheer boredom, but at least it would be running.