Toyota V8 1uz VVti throttle body - Is it drive by wire? DBW

Explaining the operation of the 1uz VVti throttle body and answering the question "is the 1uzfe VVti throttle body Drive By wire?" DBW is a system where the ECU controls the throttle plate using information from the Accelerator position sensor and feed back from the throttle position sensor. The 1uzfe throttle body is similar to the Toyota Altezza or RS200 or lexus IS200 throttle body where the APS is located on the throttle body and they run a throttle cable which causes much confusion. Its explained here.

[@freestyleskyline]

Dude thank you so much for that. Your videos are literally a godsend

[@CartuneNZ]

Glad to help. Cheers Kelvin

[@nattawatausc6973]

Couldn't have been any clearer! Superb explanation. Cheers.

[@CartuneNZ]

Thanks for the compliment.

[@Garagestars]

I had a quick question! I have a 1999 ls400 and when I turn the car on it shuts off right away, seems the throttle body doesn’t stay on and the humming noise shuts off after 2 seconds of being on. I can hear it turn on but the stops. Is it a bad relay? Or throttle body? I need help!

[@CartuneNZ]

Is it causing any issues? I'll have to take more notice of my own car now.

[@nasseral-momen1463]

Hi. I'm gonna put a 1uz in my oandcruiser troopy. Can I use the drive by wire model as long as I have the wiring harness or is it best to just stick to the older cable 1uz throttle body engine. Cheers

[@gahbah274]

I have a question regarding which pedals will work with the standard 3uz ECU. I have an ecu that appears to be from a 2003 Celsior, can I use a pedal from any of the USDM 430 cars, or is there certain years/models that I should avoid? Thanks much.

[@CartuneNZ]

I use either LS430 pedals , any of them , GS430, SC430 or Later Hilux , hiace or even some IS300 pedals which have the correct calibrations. Cheers Kelvin

[@shinjiikari5947]

Bye any chance, do you know the oem 1UZ VVTi throttle body size???

[@VictorRodriguez-cg1kg]

Hi, I am working on a 1UZ VVTi engine and I will be doing a rather simple standalone for the ECU, what cable will I need to power and how much voltage should it be supplied so the throttle butterfly opens right away with the cable? Thanks.

[@CartuneNZ]

A really simple rule for sizing is to look at the factory wire size.

[@arslankhan12]

is there any way this can effect transmission shifting ? I have a bit of mutant with 1uz fe vvti mated with a650e (35 50ls) with an adpoter plate and transfer case off prado . My gear jerks a lot when going to P to D D to R and some time in between gears when driving , changed the transmission and sensor etc but the issue still remains . also my transmission has no throttle cable . Would be a great help

[@CartuneNZ]

Absolutely. The APS is on the TB. Best connect a scan tool of some sort and monitor live data. Cheers

[@freestyleskyline]

Does the throttle just need the 12v signal and ground, of does it need the computer to tell it to open?

[@CartuneNZ]

With drive by wire the ecu controls the motor to both open and shut the throttle plate

[@billygreenhorn9275]

Hi Kelvin do the drive by wire throttle bodies need maintenance on a factory Lexus such as cleaning and is there an idle air control valve incorporated in the dbw assembly? Thank you.

[@CartuneNZ]

Hello Billy. They dbw TB simply opens the butterfly a little bit more or less to adjust the idle. No iac as such. If you pay attention in the intake manifold video I talk about the little holes in the TB which flow idle air to the injectors. These setups often get build up at those holes so removing and cleaning the TB is about all I do. Cheers Kelvin.

[@billygreenhorn9275]

Yes I did pay attention to every word haha and I did clean out those little holes. They were plugged so it made a big difference. Thanks again for all the great videos.

[@harryarribard2695]

Hello ' i am harry, i leave in France, i have à ls 400 96 in good condition but many time , when engine is hot , i have many many white smoge at the back off car ! I look at throotle body , when the engine is stop the throotle is open (large) is it normaly ? Do you think my throotle body is no good ? Have you some time see this problème ? If it is no good , what is the solution ? Thank you for your answer ! Harry

[@CartuneNZ]

I would recommend checking the PCV system and doing some testing on the car. I don't guess, I test. Cheers Kelvin

[@DAN007thefoxx1]

Ok. So the VVT-i 1uz's ARE DBW just like the 3uz but the nons are NOT. Thats the gist of it, yeah?

[@CartuneNZ]

Correct

[@davidpritchard6685]

Is there anything than can be done to the vvti Throttlebody to sharpen it up.Sometimes think its abit lazy down low.

[@davidpritchard6685]

Like is there any way to lock it up with the standard ecu

[@CartuneNZ]

Stock ecu on vvti requires the TB to operate as Toyota intended so mods generally cause issues. The 3uz definately wont run correctly on stock ecu with TB manualised. Ive had to convert a few back to dbw after guys tried. I would like to have a play with some of the plug in throttle signal modifiers designed for diesel accelerator pedals as I beleive they should be able to used on the 1uz vvti ecu to sharpen the throttle response however I have limited time for testing with present work load. Cheers.

[@CartuneNZ]

Pretty much the answer to locking it up is no, the ecu doesn't like it. However I believe it might be possible to use a device designed for the diesel market which modifies the signal to improve response. I havent the time at the moment to do testing with my present workload. Cheers.

[@davidpritchard6685]

CartuneNZ thank you so much for getting back to me.that would be really good if it did work.cheep mod

[@davidpritchard6685]

Did you ever get time to see if you can do anything to the throttle. I order a throttle lock to see if it does anything. Might not work but fun to see tho.

[@Jrocmoney99]

So if I want to swap a vvti into my car I can leave that on and run a drive by cable to the actuator or do I need a dbw pedal?

[@CartuneNZ]

A cable is run to the throttle body. The accelerator position sensor is on the throttle body itself.

[@gahbah274]

Can I use the 1uz vvti throttle body with the 3uz ecu?

[@CartuneNZ]

No. 1uz throttle body has different requirements than 3uz ecu provides

[@gahbah274]

@@CartuneNZ Darn. I had a hope that I could avoid dbw and use the 3uz ecu. Thanks

[@CartuneNZ]

@@gahbah274 1uz vvti is drive by wire anyway and the 3uz dbw works fine.

[@davidpritchard6685]

I have a p1354 code coming up in my car. Have got new sensors and even a 2nd hand one.still there.is there anything I can check before pulling the cams off to clean the filter.have check wires back to the ecu all good that I can see

[@CartuneNZ]

Hello David. Is it a factory car or conversion? Have you checked the signals to the vvti solenoids? How long has it had the code? Cheers Kelvin

[@davidpritchard6685]

CartuneNZ its a swap.i have not no.just check for a broken wire.its had it from I done the swap.if I pull the battery off it.its pulls good for 2-3 pulls then can feel there is less power down low in the revs.

[@CartuneNZ]

@@davidpritchard6685 let me make a guess. The engine and ecu came from a ucf20/21 celsior or LS400 , the one with a rear loom? Who wired it? Is it auto or manual?

[@davidpritchard6685]

CartuneNZ yep 98 ls400 and rear loom and Phoenix engine management in the uk done it.

[@davidpritchard6685]

And it’s manual