cathryne

i have a 2005 scion xa. the sweet husband was changing the alternator, and in the end, he had a a lose wire/unconnected sensor... after close inspection, it looks to be broken off something important. im very car ignorant. i have no idea. i guess ill call the dealer tomorrow and maybe have it towed.... tell me your thoughts.... im really inpatient and so full of anxiety, i cant wait til tomorrow.

this is what its supposed to look like.

this is the piece that broke off!



and the place it was...



its above and to the right of the alternator. [/img]

Metro273

I want to say that's the VTC solenoid valve?

shupes31

well it's a plug.... have you tried to start your car? lol

cathryne

Heh!! i figured it was a plug, but it came unplugged, and not at the appropriate plugin location!

cathryne

yes it started right up, but its loud --possibly unrelated to this problem.. i think the belt isnt on correctly... cant find a diagram!!... but the battery light is on and check engine light is on too. it all started monday. monday the battery light came on... on inspection, we determined the alternator was bad, but we knew it was coming because it was unusally loud lately.... replaced battery and parked until alternator came today.

way2fast

Knock sensor?? doesn't really look like there are any fluids behind it. until its sorted out if you do drive i'd go very easy on the car

shupes31

alright, after looking over the repair manual here on the site, im gonna say crankshaft position sensor? it appears to be in the same area.... Don't take my word for it though. im an engine noob.

mb2008

That's not for the air bag is it? I don't remember which side the air bag sensor sits, I think I've noticed it on the passenger side close the the radiator. It would make sense for the car to run without it with no problems.

shupes31

let us know what it is when you take it in. we should take bets on what this is.

jct

its the camshaft timing oil control valve for the VVT-i




what do i win

uber-xA-RS2

JCT wins a cookie!

That is the oil control valve solenoid for the VVT-i controller. Definately want to have it replaced asap.

BZinn1

yeah that is what it is......you can order a new one from dealer and install your selves,i do not advise driving as it can screw up the cams

cathryne

oh yea, you are exactly right.
the part was 102 at the dealer. labor was 132.

my alternator -- the original problem that led to this problem.... was still having problems after being replaced.... the battery light was still on. come to find out, i had an 90 amp when it needed an 80 amp... dude at advance auto parts sold me 90 amp... but to his error, he told me that the computer only listed a 90 amp.... he had to go to the 2004 to find an 80 amp... maybe my car was made midyear? and in addition to this, the dealer said the water pump was bad... it was leaking and howling.... why is it the dealer, always find something else wrong!!!

mb2008

Dealers will always find something wrong even when there is nothing.

jct

the water pump replacement isn't too hard to replace either just in a slight tight spot to get at...