P-0705- Coffee Spill Electrical Short- How Bad?

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Alpentalic

Alpentalic

Joined
Aug 10, 2019
Threads
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54
Location
Seattle
Well here's a new one...

Had a sudden full electronics shutdown and limp mode the other day on my 2016. Pulled code P-0705- shifter sensor failure and wouldn't erase/reset. Limped the truck to the nearest Toyota expert which happened to be my local dealership.

Diagnostic reveled spilled coffee between the shifter and cup holder that shorted a couple of switches. But here's the kicker. Toyota wants approval for $1,200 in labor to pull the dash and chase the short because other systems are impacted, potentially indicating electronic/computer damage closer to the engine bay.

MY QUESTION: How likely is it that a localized short from moisture could cause bigger upstream problems? Is tearing the dash apart really necessary? If so, what are they likely to find/want to do next? Also why did Toyota design electronics so sensitive to moisture right under the cup holder!?

Really hoping that a half a cup of coffee doesn't become a $4,000 mistake! :doh:
 
Unless there was an immediate electrical failure right when coffee spilled, I’m not at all sure that’s the problem. Lots of Cruisers may have old coffee/juice residue in there and switches are often ok after they dry out. I would look for water/corrosion damage in the electrical connectors under the front door sills from a leaking replacement windshield, cowl, or clogged sunroof drain. Search for water damage posts on Mud to find out LOTS more. It’s a sadly not rare issue. Since much (most?) of the electrical signals in the vehicle go through those sill connectors they can cause all kinds of havoc if they get corrosion in them. That said, I do remember a thread about console problems from a sunroof left open in the rain. Maybe search for that one too? All in all, I suggest tearing the dash apart is a last resort, not the first action.
 
You have a very specific code for a specific sensor failure with a known cause. Sure lots of these trucks see spills, but it's certainly plausible that you got unlucky with yours.

The sensor is only ~$130, I'd be very tempted to replace just that sensor and see if the problem resolves. In all of the posts about codes from corrosion/leaks under the dash I don't recall one where the sole code was the code you describe. I can certainly see more harm than good coming from pre-emptive dash removal chasing an electrical gremlin that may or may not even exist.
 
Hey folks- we replaced the neutral position sensor and cleared the codes which worked for a while. But everything came back and I’m back in limp mode.

I’ve got malfunction warnings for LDA monitoring system, pre-collision system, headlight system and a check engine light, TPMS, traction off, etc. it’s a Christmas tree.

Could it be a voltage problem from a bad alternator? I replaced the battery recently so it shouldn’t be that.

Im totally baffled by this one.
 
Have you pulled the door sill trim yet to look for evidence of water in the rocker panels? Very common issue and very easy to inspect. I can dig up a how-to video if you need.

Edit:
 
Confirmed- I’ve pulled sill trim on both sides and no evidence of moisture on either side.
 

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Alpentalic said:
Confirmed- I’ve pulled sill trim on both sides and no evidence of moisture on either side.
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That’s a relief, but now you need to find someone with the skill and patience to diagnose this properly. I’d start looking for competent Toyota independent shops, personally.
 
per a local indy Toyota specialist- they traced the short to the switch center between the cup holder and the shifter. The switches were sticky admittedly but i thought they’d been working okay. Sounds like liquid worked its way down into one/multiple switches and into the cluster of electronics under those switches which was causing intermittent shorts.

I’m replacing the switches (which only come as a single unit unfortunately) and I’m really hopeful this is a permanent fix. I’m still surprised this could cause such a significant (and intermittent) short but they said they ran through the diagram on that circuit and this was the only faulty element they found.

Switch Assembly Part
 
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Alpentalic said:
per a local indy Toyota specialist- they traced the short to the switch center between the cup holder and the shifter. The switches were sticky admittedly but i thought they’d been working okay. Sounds like liquid worked its way down into one/multiple switches and into the cluster of electronics under those switches which was causing intermittent shorts.

I’m replacing the switches (which only come as a single unit unfortunately) and I’m really hopeful this is a permanent fix. I’m still surprised this could cause such a significant (and intermittent) short but they said they ran through the diagram on that circuit and this was the only faulty element they found.

Click to expand...
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Also (and most importantly), your issue is resolved!
 
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