ECU TSB Update

190 pages on this thread. Wow. One Question: Can I completely severe my relationship with my local dealer's service department for TCB updates following methods/downloads found in this thread? I get it I need to read and get educated, but before I do, I just don't want to go down a rabbit hole. I've had to do all other upgrades myself from regearing to ECGS's needle bearing swap to body mount cuts and the like. I'd love to know if I can take over tuning my truck outside of my shitty dealership's service department.

 

Regarding updating your ECU, yes, you can absolutely do this yourself and avoid the dealership by using the instructions provided by @tonered and @Shellshock in the first post.

 

jUsT tO cAvEaT oFf Of WhAt He SaId, and while I actually don't have anything against dealerships since I've personally had good experiences with mine over the years, but people are also better off applying the updates themselves because the dealers frequently don't.

I stopped counting how many tune customers I've had that told me they'd had the TSB applied by the dealer and yet when I identify their ECU, I discover that they were flat out lied to

 

If we could hack the status display, one of the first things I’d try to do would be a screen showing the current config. Perhaps via double click or long click of the favorite button. That would be so useful as a stock option.

 

Yep. Thats why i started doing it. Plus this takes way less time than arguing with the dealer for them to end up not doing it anyway.

 

It's good practice to ask the dealer, ahead of time, for a print out. Either the flash report provided by the CUW tool, or the health report from Techstream.

 

While that would give you some reassurance that it was actually done, the time and effort required to bring the truck to the dealer and beg them to do it in the first place is a waste. Why woiuld I go out of my way to bring in my truck, just to have to fight with them to apply a TSB (that I would most likely have to pay for unless they are satisfied that my reason for wanting it is valid) when I can just do it in my own driveway after work in 5 minutes myself for free?

 

Same. I didn't want to ruin the good thoughts that I had for my dealer.

 

Oh no doubt, do flashes in my garage too. If you factor in the value of a persons time, a single self flash pays for the cost of the cable. But, not everyone is comfortable or capable of doing that. As noted in a prior post, countless dealers will lie and say they did a flash just to avoid dealing with a person; hence the advice, ask for proof if you are the type that asks dealers for the service.

 

Well for one you didn’t do it entirely for free as you paid for the cable and own a capable laptop, all of which many don’t have luxury of owning. Granted there is a shop fee at the dealership. No free lunch in this life bud

 

Ok, you got me.... Yes, I happen to own the Tactrix cable (because I have OVTune), and yes I do own a laptop. Both of which I already own(ed), and did pay for. I humbly appologize for my half-truth. Sorry "bud".

 

Apology accepted humility appreciated

 

Quick question, would the earliest MT TSB available on page 1 apply/help a 2012-asking for a friend?

TIA

 

These are only for 3rd gen.

 

No, that's a different gen

 

Thank you @mZiggy, @lapoltba for confirming

 

Fortunately the 2nd Gen had a different engine and transmission. Gen 2 owners seem way happier with the 4.0L vs the 3.5L.

 

@Shellshock @tonered

I have a question for the experienced DIY's here, before I start my very first ECU update/flash:

I am confused after reading the official Toyota 'Techstream ECU Flash Reprogramming Procedure' instructions (from T-SB-0134-16).
The way that we are doing it (per the instructions in post #1 of this thread), we are just double-clicking on the appropriate CUW file on our computer, which then starts Techstream, which then performs the ECU update/flash. And this is different from the official Toyota 'Techstream ECU Flash Reprogramming Procedure' instructions - thus my confusion.

Flash Instructions from post #1 say:
Once you are ready to flash your Taco do the following:
-- Key out of the ignition
-- Plug in the Tactrix to the OBDII port by your left knee
-- Double click on the CUW file on your desktop that applies to your Taco
-- Follow the prompts exactly

Page 13 from T-SB-0134-16 states, "If the key cycle is NOT done properly, reprogramming will stop at 10% and Cal 1 will fail to load." And that is a bit frightening, so I thought that it would be prudent to ask this dumb question here, before attempting my very first ECU update/flash.

So then, here is my question:
Before I double-click on the appropriate CUW file, do I already have my ignition 'On' (without the motor running of course) ?
Or, do I first double-click on the appropriate CUW file (with the ignition 'Off'), and then Techstream instructs me to turn my ignition 'On' to then begin the procedure ?

I are confused.

Thanks for your assistance !

 

You can do it either way. Step 1 of the instructions once the cuw launches is turn ignition on

 

@gForceDude
It doesn't matter how you do it, the .cuw file will instruct you, step-by-step on what to do. One of the easiest things you can do to your truck is update the ECU.