Anyone experience a rough idle / hybrid issue with their LC250?

[ultane]

I've had this happen 2 times in 75k miles. It was trying to idle around 500 rpm and running very rough. Both times I was sitting in a parking lot idling for maybe 5 minutes. If I remember right, both times the ambient temp was very hot (I live in Phoenix). Both times I immediately drove off and things went back to normal. Occurred 1 time last summer and 1 time this summer.

Welcome to the asylum.

 

[ultane]

Just happened to me again today.

It was extremely hot in Phoenix. My wife drove the Land Cruiser to work, where it sat outside in the sun all day. She drove it home, and it sat in the garage for about three hours.

I started it up later to run some errands and immediately got the rough idle again.

The bigger issue was that the hybrid motor basically stopped engaging. I drove around for about an hour running errands, and the LC was operating almost entirely on the gas engine. Initially, I had to give it some throttle at stops just to keep it from idling rough.

If I shut the vehicle off and restarted it, the hybrid system would work again briefly, but shortly afterward it would stop engaging. I could actually feel it happen when the vehicle tried transitioning into EV mode while coasting.

After about 20 minutes of driving in cooler nighttime temperatures—still around 104°F—the rough idle improved, but the hybrid motor still wouldn't consistently engage.

So at this point, there definitely seems to be some correlation with extreme heat. I had zero issues like this last summer, but this is now the second time it's happened this summer during extreme temperatures.

The vehicle is still drivable when this happens, but it's basically operating like a gas-only Land Cruiser until the hybrid system decides to cooperate again.

The hybrid battery air filters were cleaned a few weeks ago, so those aren't clogged. I also don't believe this is an issue with the gas engine itself. Everything I've experienced so far seems related to the hybrid system or the transition between the gas engine and hybrid motor.

At this point, I wouldn't even feel comfortable driving it across Phoenix on the I-10 in the middle of a summer afternoon.

No codes so Toyota can't do shit but it will be another scorcher tomorrow so I might have some luck if I can get it to replicate at home.

I would take it to the dealer, especially if it is still under factory warranty.

 

[LCOceans]

I agree with @ultane above. I would take to dealer and demand they figure out what is going on regardless of it not producing "codes". It is essentially brand new and an expensive vehicle. Not to mention that I am curious what is going on.
In all seriousness good luck and with some persistence at the dealer I think you will get this resolved.

 

[SGaynor]

I love all of destruction I can unleash on this Toyota and other motors over the last 25+ years with K&N filters and factory recommended oil change intervals! So far I have been unsuccessful in causing mayhem and these things just keep on running for some reason .

You got me. Your vast experience definitely outweighs those who actually make MAFs and air filters (one of my former jobs).

Good thing MAFs don’t use heated wires where any contamination can cause them to go FUBAR.

Keep believing that a K&N filter is going to give you an extra 50HP and 10 MPG.

Protect your MAF sensor with a clean air filter

The basic function of a car’s air filter is to prevent harmful debris, dirt, and contaminants from entering your engine, but it also acts as a barrier to keep your MAF sensor...

www.delphiautoparts.com

 

[SGaynor]

Just happened to me again today.

It was extremely hot in Phoenix. My wife drove the Land Cruiser to work, where it sat outside in the sun all day. She drove it home, and it sat in the garage for about three hours.

I started it up later to run some errands and immediately got the rough idle again.

The bigger issue was that the hybrid motor basically stopped engaging. I drove around for about an hour running errands, and the LC was operating almost entirely on the gas engine. Initially, I had to give it some throttle at stops just to keep it from idling rough.

If I shut the vehicle off and restarted it, the hybrid system would work again briefly, but shortly afterward it would stop engaging. I could actually feel it happen when the vehicle tried transitioning into EV mode while coasting.

After about 20 minutes of driving in cooler nighttime temperatures—still around 104°F—the rough idle improved, but the hybrid motor still wouldn't consistently engage.

So at this point, there definitely seems to be some correlation with extreme heat. I had zero issues like this last summer, but this is now the second time it's happened this summer during extreme temperatures.

The vehicle is still drivable when this happens, but it's basically operating like a gas-only Land Cruiser until the hybrid system decides to cooperate again.

The hybrid battery air filters were cleaned a few weeks ago, so those aren't clogged. I also don't believe this is an issue with the gas engine itself. Everything I've experienced so far seems related to the hybrid system or the transition between the gas engine and hybrid motor.

At this point, I wouldn't even feel comfortable driving it across Phoenix on the I-10 in the middle of a summer afternoon.

No codes so Toyota can't do shit but it will be another scorcher tomorrow so I might have some luck if I can get it to replicate at home.

Did you check clean your throttle body?

 

[hilotoyo]

Well, if you know me and my videos, I'm one of the biggest Land Cruiser advocates, so here we go...

Trying to figure out what could be going on before I take this to Toyota.

Yesterday I was idling for about 10 minutes when the engine went through what seemed like its normal gas/hybrid cycle. Except this time something didn't seem to engage correctly. The RPM dropped, and the vehicle started running rough. I shut it off immediately. It was only around 80 degrees outside, and I was able to drive back with no issues.

Today it happened again.

I had been driving normally and then idled at a store for about 10 minutes. It was 114 outside. During what seemed like another normal engine/hybrid cycle, the RPM dropped to around 500, and the whole vehicle started shaking. Giving it a little gas immediately smoothed it out.

I drove home with no real issues, but this is where it got strange. The hybrid system still showed READY, but I wasn't seeing any hybrid output on the gauge while driving. The Land Cruiser actually felt like it was driving without the hybrid system. Downshifts were harder, shifts were more noticeable and I could really feel the turbo having to spool between them.

When I got home I grabbed my camera and was able to catch the rough idle happening again. The vehicle was shaking pretty violently, but once again giving it gas smoothed everything out.

I shut the vehicle off and restarted it and hybrid output came back, although the vehicle still didn't feel completely normal.

I let it sit for about an hour and was able to reproduce the rough idle almost immediately after starting it again.

It doesn't really feel like a normal engine misfire to me because once I'm moving it drives fine and giving it throttle clears up the shaking. It almost seems related to the transition between the gas engine and hybrid system, but I'm not sure.

Anyone else with an LC250 or Toyota i-FORCE MAX experienced anything like this?

I have it happening on video now, so Toyota is probably my next stop.

Could your issue be similar to this hybrid malfunction issue reported on the 6th gen 4Runner?

Hybrid system failed - "System Malfunction Visit Your Dealer"

Hello everyone Same issue just happened to me Bought a 26 4Runner off road premium put 1,780 miles on it before this same issue. Came w the trd rims n tires n roof rack if that makes a difference. Took it to my local dealer this morning after hearing a thud and then sudden loss of power on...

www.4runner6g.com

 

[cruiser_ss396]

I found this in the Owners manual on page 7. Could there be something going on the GMRS radio you have?

Installation of a mobile

two-way radio system

The installation of a mobile two-

way radio system in your vehicle

could affect electronic systems

such as:

 Hybrid system

 Multiport fuel injection sys-

tem/sequential multiport fuel

injection system

 Toyota Safety Sense 3.0

 Anti-lock brake system

 SRS airbag system

 Seat belt pretensioner system

Be sure to check with your

Toyota dealer for precautionary

measures or special instructions

regarding installation of a mobile

two-way radio system.

High voltage parts and cables

on the hybrid vehicles emit

approximately the same amount

of electromagnetic waves as the

conventional gasoline powered8

vehicles or home electronic

appliances despite of their elec-

tromagnetic shielding.

Unwanted noise may occur in

the reception of the mobile two-

way radio.

 

[katekebo]

Bear in mind that the T24A engine has two idle modes.
In one idle mode, it runs using direct injection.
In the other mode it switches to port injection to clean intake valves.
The engine switches between both modes depending on an algorithm that tracks driving history and the computer decides when it's time to clean intake valves.
The two different idle modes definitely feel differently. Not necessarily rough, but different. Most of the time it will idle around 700 rpm, sometimes drop to 500, and sometimes keep idle at 1200 rpm. It's not a malfunction, it's part on normal engine programming but it may feel disconcerting to people who don't have experience with this engine. It's not unique to the LC, it's also a frequent "complaint" if Highlander and Grand Highlander owners.

Re. "feeling no hybrid mode", many different factors can affect when and how much the powertrain uses the electric motor. Things like battery temperature, transmission temperature, electric motor temperature, hybrid battery charge level, stop-and-go traffic vs. steady speed - all these factors are taken into account by the hybrid system to decide when (or if at all) to use the electric motor.

 

[Trail250]

I found this in the Owners manual on page 7. Could there be something going on the GMRS radio you have?

Installation of a mobile

two-way radio system

The installation of a mobile two-

way radio system in your vehicle

could affect electronic systems

such as:

 Hybrid system

 Multiport fuel injection sys-

tem/sequential multiport fuel

injection system

 Toyota Safety Sense 3.0

 Anti-lock brake system

 SRS airbag system

 Seat belt pretensioner system

Be sure to check with your

Toyota dealer for precautionary

measures or special instructions

regarding installation of a mobile

two-way radio system.

High voltage parts and cables

on the hybrid vehicles emit

approximately the same amount

of electromagnetic waves as the

conventional gasoline powered8

vehicles or home electronic

appliances despite of their elec-

tromagnetic shielding.

Unwanted noise may occur in

the reception of the mobile two-

way radio.

Usually don't have it running unless I'm on a trail. But interesting find nonetheless, does give something to think about. The COAX is next to the inverter, but my radio is not tapped into factory wiring.

 

[mnm]

Well, if you know me and my videos, I'm one of the biggest Land Cruiser advocates, so here we go...

Trying to figure out what could be going on before I take this to Toyota.

Yesterday I was idling for about 10 minutes when the engine went through what seemed like its normal gas/hybrid cycle. Except this time something didn't seem to engage correctly. The RPM dropped, and the vehicle started running rough. I shut it off immediately. It was only around 80 degrees outside, and I was able to drive back with no issues.

Today it happened again.

I had been driving normally and then idled at a store for about 10 minutes. It was 114 outside. During what seemed like another normal engine/hybrid cycle, the RPM dropped to around 500, and the whole vehicle started shaking. Giving it a little gas immediately smoothed it out.

I drove home with no real issues, but this is where it got strange. The hybrid system still showed READY, but I wasn't seeing any hybrid output on the gauge while driving. The Land Cruiser actually felt like it was driving without the hybrid system. Downshifts were harder, shifts were more noticeable and I could really feel the turbo having to spool between them.

When I got home I grabbed my camera and was able to catch the rough idle happening again. The vehicle was shaking pretty violently, but once again giving it gas smoothed everything out.

I shut the vehicle off and restarted it and hybrid output came back, although the vehicle still didn't feel completely normal.

I let it sit for about an hour and was able to reproduce the rough idle almost immediately after starting it again.

It doesn't really feel like a normal engine misfire to me because once I'm moving it drives fine and giving it throttle clears up the shaking. It almost seems related to the transition between the gas engine and hybrid system, but I'm not sure.

Anyone else with an LC250 or Toyota i-FORCE MAX experienced anything like this?

I have it happening on video now, so Toyota is probably my next stop.

Yes this happened to me at about 100 degrees. Took it to Toyota a few days later. Still under warranty, but they said they can't diagnose it unless they can replicate it...

 

[D-mac]

You got me. Your vast experience definitely outweighs those who actually make MAFs and air filters (one of my former jobs).

Good thing MAFs don’t use heated wires where any contamination can cause them to go FUBAR.

If I remember to clean my K&N after about 50,000 miles I'll make sure to oil it extra thick just to make sure the entire intake is Filtercharged!