CPS replaced under recall, huge difference in drivability and mpg.

I got the recall notice a couple of weeks ago and had the crank position sensor replaced the next day. All I can say is that it's like a different truck. Although I'm happy, I'm also kind of pissed that I have driven the truck for 32,000 miles in a "compromised" state. The power delivery is so much smoother, it shifts much more "normal" like all the other manual transmissions I've owned, starting off on a hill while towing my boat is a night and day improvement and my mpg has improved by 3-4 mpgs. Do any of you think that driving 32k with a bad cps would cause any accelerated wear on the engine? PS: I specifically asked the dealer to do any available ECM updates and when I picked it up they said none were available. So it would appear that all these improvements are directly and solely a result of the cps replacement.

 

No damage was caused and the changes are probably in your head. They might have disconnected the battery and reset everything too.

 

30 years of driving manuals, mpg displayed on my dash as well as by my own calculation. You do realize I've driven this truck for 32,000 miles? I've put almost 1000 miles on it since the cps was replaced. Definitely not in my head, battery disconnect maybe. ?

 

Resetting the Ecu often makes the vehicles feel "new" again, which is why nvnv said that. Only time will tell if these improvements you're feeling are permanent but glad to hear so far so good!

I'm not on the recall list but have many symptoms of those who are. I may replace mine for piece of mind.

 

Likely in your head unless they did some ECU flashing for a recent tranny or ignition timing update. The CPS was a time bomb in the sense that it could fail while driving but up until failure it would have functioned as intended.

 

That's not true at all, there's an entire thread of people with erratic symptoms such as stumbles, engine misfires, poor gas mileage, etc.

 

Wasn't that attributed to low rpm Atkinson operation. The MPG is the only puzzler

 

There was no difference on mine, I could only tell that the ECU was likely flashed so that's all you're probably experiencing. I know because I've had mine flashed probably 5 or 6 times now. In 3000 to 5000 miles it will go back to the way it drove before

 

No transmission updates here, it's a manual! When I say it shifts better I'm referring to the power delivery and the fact that it used to fall flat on its face when I would try to start off on a hill while towing my boat.

 

Who knows maybe there really was something (else?) wrong with your truck then.

 

This thread is so TW....

If someone posts "my truck is not working well", guaranteed response is turdGen and call corporate.

If someone posts, "huge difference in drivability and mpg", well then, sum bitch, it "must be in your head".

 

I believe it could be a real difference. With the way my truck performed and with what I read here with some people saying this was the best truck ever, zero problems, more than enough power/torque....i swore since day one I bought a Chinese knockoff with a taco body kit on it.

I already sold mine but now I'm curious if some of the poor low RPM issues i had could be attributed to the CPS. I'm a little hesitant to believe so though as it ran fine at higher RPM. Usually bad sensor doesn't just affect a small portion your RPM range.

 

I guarantee you there are improvements many have experienced from replacing this who did not experience an all-out failure. Not simply a timebomb.

OP congrats on your improvements. Yes the ECU reset DOES seem to temporarily make the truck shift better and perhaps even more low-end GO in my experience, but for many of us this is temporary and it eventually will degrade in shift feeling you may be experiencing now. The overall roughness and idle and low MPGs have NOT returned for many of us. My MPGs increased by 3-4 after replacing my sensor and it's held pretty steady around 20 (up from 16ish before).

Congrats again. Enjoy it while it lasts... lol!

 

Glad you're experiencing positive results, don't let the usual suspect's negative feedback on this truck put you down.
But some individuals will trash any positive experience other ppl may have because as they say misery luvs company.

The truck is great and there's got to be something off if its not working as it should.

Cheers!

 

Hmm. I have a spare in case mine dies. Maybe I'll swap it out and see.

 

For this who have had the recall done:
What part number CPS is on your work order?

 

I'll let you know what mine says when I get home Tuesday, don't have it with me.

 

I swapped my CPS at about 25k miles, also had positive improvements by cleaning my MAF. Asked about the "anti corrosion" issue and lean/rich condition. Also, if it makes any difference I took this sample out of the filter instead of during the engine drain. Forgot to do it then.

 

It doesn't feel "new" for 1000 miles. Mine lasted 50. This dude likely did experience a solid improvement from replacing the CPS. Per Toyota's documentation learned valve timing will adjust based on CPS values so that could definitely have an impact on MPG and drivability.

Responding to OP's concern though, without a CEL being triggered, I doubt valve timing was off enough to "damage" the engine or even increase wear significantly. It would and seemed to have greatly impacted efficiency and performance, but probably not much else beyond that. Sleep well!