2017 Cruiser build hit a couple of snags

[FDMD]

Just taking a moment to vent.

Took the new 200 to Sierra Expeditions to install the Ironman FCP suspension with Performance coils. Got a phone call at the end of the day that the truck came off the lift with a 5" lean to the passenger side. So it sat in the shop all weekend while they tried everything to remedy. As many of you already know, it was the dreaded KDSS complication that is well-documented with installing aftermarket suspension. I was unaware of the potential for such problems until I got online and started reading about it.

They put the truck back up on the lift and let the suspension dangle at full droop all weekend. By Monday, after nothing had worked, they got advice from Toyota to actually re-install the factory components, then perform the "recalibration" technique to it. This seemed to work. Once the truck sat level again, they pulled off the factory parts and re-installed the Ironman parts again, this time, being meticulous about opening the shutter valves as per instructions (they had assured me that they did their best to do this the first time). Well, second time was a charm and I got the truck back with new suspension and no lean. Whew! Thanks to Will and the shop team for sticking it out and making sure the work was done right.

Of course, the very next morning, I drove the truck to an important work meeting only to have the thing completely stall and die in rush hour traffic. It started with a bunch of systems alarms and malfunctions along with the radio crapping out. Various radar and camera systems went offline. The engine throttle started to pulsate. Lost assisted braking and power steering. Barely got the truck to the side of the road before it totally died.

Had to get towed to the dealer. A couple hours later they called saying it was ready for pick up. I was told the battery had "a couple of bad cells and it just failed." This was the battery that came with the truck from the factory. Not sure what to make of it all. Definitely not in line with my experience with my prior Cruisers, yet I realize this is all probably coincidence? Haven't even had the truck 6 weeks. Only 1200 miles on it.

Any thoughts?

Getting wheels and tires today. Fingers crossed.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

Would not worry one bit. Shop might of left the ignition on, and a bad battery couldn't handle it. Remember that Toyota doesn't make those batteries, and the 200 definitely has a lot of electronics that when don't have minimum power requirements are going to look like the world is ending. Not a big deal when power is returned. KDSS is not a complicated system, shop messed something up first time.

Heck if you want to make sure your truck is level, you CAN drive around with the set screws letting pressure flow (the screw can definitely not move still).

It's a solid vehicle, but it's not a god, people made the thing and people were paid to change something, human error is always present.

 

[malloc]

For a lean like that its also possible that they have the coils swapped on the wrong side. The ones marked D/S (drivers side) should be on the RIGHT for a US spec cruiser.

 

[Sandroad]

Just taking a moment to vent.

Took the new 200 to Sierra Expeditions to install the Ironman FCP suspension with Performance coils. Got a phone call at the end of the day that the truck came off the lift with a 5" lean to the passenger side. So it sat in the shop all weekend while they tried everything to remedy. As many of you already know, it was the dreaded KDSS complication that is well-documented with installing aftermarket suspension. I was unaware of the potential for such problems until I got online and started reading about it.

They put the truck back up on the lift and let the suspension dangle at full droop all weekend. By Monday, after nothing had worked, they got advice from Toyota to actually re-install the factory components, then perform the "recalibration" technique to it. This seemed to work. Once the truck sat level again, they pulled off the factory parts and re-installed the Ironman parts again, this time, being meticulous about opening the shutter valves as per instructions (they had assured me that they did their best to do this the first time). Well, second time was a charm and I got the truck back with new suspension and no lean. Whew! Thanks to Will and the shop team for sticking it out and making sure the work was done right.

Of course, the very next morning, I drove the truck to an important work meeting only to have the thing completely stall and die in rush hour traffic. It started with a bunch of systems alarms and malfunctions along with the radio crapping out. Various radar and camera systems went offline. The engine throttle started to pulsate. Lost assisted braking and power steering. Barely got the truck to the side of the road before it totally died.

Had to get towed to the dealer. A couple hours later they called saying it was ready for pick up. I was told the battery had "a couple of bad cells and it just failed." This was the battery that came with the truck from the factory. Not sure what to make of it all. Definitely not in line with my experience with my prior Cruisers, yet I realize this is all probably coincidence? Haven't even had the truck 6 weeks. Only 1200 miles on it.

Any thoughts?

Getting wheels and tires today. Fingers crossed.

Interesting post. I had no idea the entire truck would die if the battery died. Can't most (all?) vehicles run on just the alternator output while the engine is running? I suppose if the battery completely shorted out, things could go bad quickly, but sheesh, complete shut down?

 

[Markuson]

Interesting post. I had no idea the entire truck would die if the battery died. Can't most (all?) vehicles run on just the alternator output while the engine is running? I suppose if the battery completely shorted out, things could go bad quickly, but sheesh, complete shut down?

That seemed weird to me too. If the battery was THAT bad? I would think you couldn't have started it. Wondering if they goofed something else up...realized it...and blamed the battery.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

That seemed weird to me too. If the battery was THAT bad? I would think you couldn't have started it. Wondering if they goofed something else up...realized it...and blamed the battery.

The days of an alternator being able to runs car once it's started are pretty much gone. components run off of the battery not pass through power from the generator itself. And with automotive electronics, once signal is cut from one item it will start a chain reaction across different systems. The ecu will know things are wrong, and since it's not a combat or race vehicle, there is no reason to push systems. The situation described by the OP is very normal for loss of power, the battery could of had enough to start, and with not being charged back up, while running radio, navigation, ABS, traction control, VSC, air bag collision, rollover sensors, all engine sensors, speed sensors, I mean the list goes on and on, it's very common to get down the road and this to happen.

As far as the truck not sitting level, without knowing much, my bet is on the installers not being familiar enough with a 200. It's not a Jeep, things actually fit precisely and that can through off installers sometimes.

 

[FDMD]

So the same stall happened to my wife and kids this morning. Waiting for the tow truck again now. Same as before, systems all start failing a bit after the car starts up first thing in the morning (cold start). It had been driving just fine last night and all day yesterday. At least they barely made it out of the driveway.

Does anyone thing this could be related to the suspension install and KDSS nightmares that followed? What are we missing?

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

So the same stall happened to my wife and kids this morning. Waiting for the tow truck again now. Same as before, systems all start failing a bit after the car starts up first thing in the morning (cold start). It had been driving just fine last night and all day yesterday. At least they barely made it out of the driveway.

Does anyone thing this could be related to the suspension install and KDSS nightmares that followed? What are we missing?

KDSS is a fully mechanical system, no electrical connections. Good thing it's under warranty, but I stand by my comment on the installers, they must of done something.

 

[FDMD]

I'm wondering if this could be presenting symptoms of the same thing this person posted about? His first post sounded a little familiar with all the warning lights coming on suddenly...

2017 Land Cruiser - Transmission Needs Replaced

I noticed that when I tried to start it for the tow, it started fine, I put it into reverse and it clunked into gear hard and unpleasantly, then all the warning lights started again. Dash lights on and off, dash dials flicking up and down, etc, etc. Engine would still run, but idle sounded a little off.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

It is a possibility, I would bring it up to the service tech.

That all does sound like a slipping torque converter, which from reading other '17 tranny issues is what has been the fault. Not necessarily the mechanical side of the house, but the safety parameters that the engineers put in are not staying within.

Don't worry, I know it's hard not to when you buy the most reliable car on the road, but it is brutally new and you will get it worked out with the dealership. Let us know if it does turn out to be transmission related.

 

[FDMD]

They think its a bad alternator. New one plus new 27F battery on order. Once installed, they will continue searching. Then they found this:

Yup, broken bolt stuck in my new SPC UCA just installed 5 days ago. Tech already broke 2 tools trying to get it out.

Oh, and some guy just hit my wife in the Audi.

 

[Markuson]

They think its a bad alternator. New one plus new 27F battery on order. Once installed, they will continue searching. Then they found this:

View attachment 1367111

Yup, broken bolt stuck in my new SPC UCA just installed 5 days ago. Tech already broke 2 tools trying to get it out.

Oh, and some guy just hit my wife in the Audi.

Holy smokes, man!
**I'm starting to feel better about being in my wheelchair!**

You are getting pummeled... Sheesh.

So did someone over-tighten it and twist off the bolt-head? Double-sheesh...

 

[sleeoffroad]

So they broke the bolt then zip tied the harness?

 

[FDMD]

Who knows. Good news is they are working on replacing the arm.

 

[Markuson]

So they broke the bolt then zip tied the harness?

Woah... Good eye, Christo. I didn't see those zip-ties til you pointed them out. Weird.

 

[gaijin]

If these zip ties were the idea of the folks who did your suspension work - and they thought it was OK not to mention it to you - and worse yet they thought it was good to go ... I can't wait to see what else you find they screwed up:

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

When it rains it pours. Sorry brother.

Would you mind saying the shop name, that way others can avoid them.

 

[FDMD]

Actually, I'd ask that we hit pause on this while the shop is making efforts to remedy this wrong. With the luck I'm having at the moment, if I start a war, I'll end up taking more of a hit that I already am. I am certain this shop participates in this forum. Honestly, the suspension deal is the least of my concerns given this electrical stuff I'm dealing with at the same time.

 

[sleeoffroad]

I would make sure to check all harnesses and wires / sensors going to A-arms, rear arms, axles etc. If something got pinched, or is shorting to ground then you could have some weird stuff happen. Could be something that accidentally happened on the suspension install. It could be totally random as well. The natural reaction is to always blame the last person that touched the truck. Most people would look for the most complex problem, when 99% of the cases it is something simple.

Could be the battery was killed if they tried various things to get the truck to level out with the ignition on, or a scan tool connected. I would give the shop a chance to just look the truck over and see if they find anything. Guns blazing in these situations does not work, cool heads is better.

 

[Markuson]

Agree on avoiding a war. My shop royally screwed up my BP-51 install here in the San Diego area. The manager felt terrible, and tried very hard to make it right. He also knows I did not shame his shop here, and he was grateful for that.