This is how I fixed my TSS issue after TRD grill swap.

I have had a 2018 SR5 for a year now and thought this post could possible help others. I order a TRD grill from Amazon and a garnish from ebay. I think they were both from China. I am happy with my purchases. But after the install the TSS sensor would only work at nights and not during the days. I let them run like that for a month to see if it would "calibrate" on its own but no luck. Didn't know what to do. Searched the forums and didn't find a solution. I called my local service center and they wanted $130 per hour, minimum 2 hours to re-calibrate the sensor. The grill and garnish were only $120 total. Almost put the original grill back on. I asked the tech how they do that and he said they put an object in front of the sensor and re-calibrate it to that object. I started thinking what changed when I did the grill swap and it could only be the angle it was pointing at because the sensor was lowered about 4 inches. So I added a couple of rather thick lock washers between the grill and the sensor on the top screw which angled the sensor up a few degrees. I didn't change the sides mounts. Immediately the sensor started to work during the day but it stopped working at night. Opposite of what is was doing right after the grill swap. So i removed a washer and it started to work 24/7, rain or shine, day or night. Its been working for a month now with zero issues. Ive tested and it has braked without my assistance. I realize all trucks are not the same, different lifts, original grills, tire size etc. But i thought I would share my solution in hopes it would help others. If this solution has been found before I could not find it. Too many words!


UPDATE: My service rep just called me about the service bulletin they performed on the TSS sensor. He said I have to come in to sign a form stating that I modified my grill and the position of the sensor was moved. He said all Toyota owners must sign this form if a lift was done or if your truck was riding bigger tires, etc. He also said my sensor was recalibrated due to the service bulletin and that a pad was added to keep the rain out. So far it is still working.

 

Nice, I bet you were happy as Clams that you were able to fix it.

 

So strange some people have issues and some dont have any.. i swapped from a sport grill to the pro and never had any issues ... did you get the tsb done for the sensor to keep condesation out?

 

I bought the Made in China grille on Amazon, and the OE Toyota garnish cover —which is made in Thailand.

Haven’t had any issues with TSS. Knock on wood.

 

I want to clarify what you are talking about, when you say "top mount". My sensor is bolted on with two bolts, one on each side. Then, there is a small screw that goes in the top of the sensor. Is THAT screw what you are referring to as the "top mount"? Also, please clarify about the lock washers. Much thanks...

 

You are correct. The top of the sensor is just a screw. I will clarify that in the original post, thanks.
I guess any type of washer would work. Depends on the thickness on how much the angle changes on the sensor.
This is the washer I used. I also had to use a larger screw because the original screw off my grill wouldn't fit the new TRD grill.

 

When I first got my truck I had so many issues I wanted to get rid of it but Toyota fixed them all. The sensor issue wasn't covered under warranty so I was very happy to figure that issue out.

 

DANG! I had the same problem with the screw, in that my original ALSO did not work with my new TRD grill! I bought a longer one, and I still didn't get one long enough, so I just put the dang sensor on without the screw at all since it was easy to get to put the screw in even while it was mounted. In my case, what I have noticed is that initially after the grill swap, I would drive around, and seemingly for no reason, all of a sudden the PCS light would like up in the dash. It would not go out unless I turned off the ignition and restarted. Sort of annoying! BUT, after a few days, I was able to drive around without the light coming on. So I 'thought' the pcs system had 'learned' and was functioning correctly. Then, this past weekend, all of a sudden the pcs light came back on again, and has done so two days in a row. The thing is, that even thought he 'pcs off' light is lit, I DO know that the pcs system itself still works, as someone cut me off last weekend on the freeway, the pcs system sound alert went off. Also, even though the pcs off light is lit, in the menu, the pcs system still shows as being "on". So the pcs off light being lit on rare occasions, is just annoying, and I just want to get this thing fixed permanently! So maybe it has something to do with that sensor and the angle, as you prognosticated! It is worth a shot. So I will see what I can do.. Thanks for your post!

 

Great job OP! Do you have pictures of the mod to show where the washers need to be in place for the tss adjustment? It will help people that haven't done the swap yet to the TRD Pro grille.

 

Added pic. Hopes this helps.

 

Thanks!

 

Just learned of the TSB, will have it done on next oil change thanks.

 

fjcruisader ; Over the weekend, I installed some washers on the top screw of my sensor, as you suggested. Its funny, but after you posted about it, it seems so common sensical! It makes perfect sense, that if the sensor is lower because of it being swapped onto a TRD Pro grill, that pointing it up a hair, should then correct the problem! This was one of those "why didn't I think of that" moments! In any case, I don't drive a lot, but in the days since installing it, I have not had the PCS Off light come on. I am crossing my fingers, but I really think this is going to work! I really thank you for posting this! Much appreciated!

 

Im glad it helped. Update....I had the service bulletin performed on my TSS sensor. Im not sure what they did but they moved my lock washer to the other side of the sensor where it mounts at the top. I put the washer back where it fixed my issue and is still working.

 

Just out of curiosity what size washer did you use? There seems to be some level of tolerance on how much you can put behind it but not much

 

I swapped mine over a week ago and have had zero problems at all but I did however use a factory Toyota grill and garnish. Bought the grill for $210 shipped from a Toyota dealer online and the garnish for $60 shipped. I feel it was worth the extra for OEM parts. Now some people are asking $300-$400 for the grill itself and that is crazy.

 

I actually had some washers in an assortment that I used. they were really tiny/thin, so I actually put 4 washers on mine! I also had to get a longer screw because the one that was initially in the original OEM grill was not long enough to work in my swapped TRD Pro grill. That was even before I tried to add washers!

 

So not to split hairs, but about how much spacing do you think you added overall?

 

Good question, actually! I just went and measured it, and it was exactly 1/8 inch with all the washers put together.

 

After trying a few washers the one that worked for me was 1.5mm.