ECU Tune and Failed Emissions Testing Experience

Anyone have a recommendation for a specific OBD II reader to read the CVN/checksum ?

 

Any obd2 reader will do. Depends on your disposal income.
I just learned about this one. This one has a bi-directional interface, allows to test systems, reset, etc.

$80 TOPDON TopScan Lite OBD2 Scanner Bluetooth, Bi-Directional Scanner Wireless All System Diagnostic Tool for iOS & Android, FCA AutoAuth, 8+ Hot Reset, Repair Guides, Car Code Reader, Performance Test

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3QQYQ1B?asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.NHZL00NIDEPF

I've been using OBD Fusion for about 7 years. This one will cost you about $30 if you buy Toyota specific PIDs. Otherwise the cost of a blue tooth obd2 adapter (~$15)

 

My brother in law learned this with his father's car (Chrysler 300) which hadn't been driven really in about 8 months. I suspect it might have needed a jump start at some point but not sure. Needed to be cycled for readiness as it failed the OBDII connection.

 

So historically CA has been the biggest nightmare on getting smogged. Surely someone in CA has either sold their truck private party in the last year (which requires the seller to get a smog test), works at a smog place or dealer and has had a tacoma smogged.

Or anyone with a 16' in CA should be coming due in the next year.

Any other real life experiences out there on smog results?

Dealing with the smog referee can be a pain in the butt. Changing an ECU is a pain for most. Flashing your own ECU is a sketchy endeavor for most also.

 

Or even CO, theres gotta be more trucks goin through

 

I'm gonna add one stock ecu to my Christmas wish list

 

Thanks for the alert, update and supporting information. I am sure many will benefit from your experience, efforts and willingness to share.


EDIT: post revised to reflect current 12-4-23 action by VFT.

I am here in Colorado too with a family member who will soon face the same situation - a Tuned truck (2016 AT 04B04) due for emissions testing and needing to flash back to a OEM Stock tune that will show the proper CVN on the ECU. I am curious that a solution for this (the OEM Stock CVN for 04B04) has been found and successfully tested. I contacted VFT for the aforementioned Tune on 12-2-23 and they responded on 12-4-23 to me - others facing this issue should reach out to them also. I am hopeful they will release it to all Licensed Software Users. If in Colorado and all else fails reach out to (@MGMSangTaco) for his assistance.

I too think our State has missed the boat in this circumstance. Unfortunately, we are just pawns in the game of life. Thank you again for your sharing of this unfortunate experience.

 

If you download the most recent version of VFTuner, it should contain the correct 04B04 file. As Justin has said, check the date to make sure you're loading the correct stock tune file.

 

just downloaded (updated) it today - no change - still dated before 9/23. if you find it send it. thanks.

VFT version 1.7.5.... the legacy version not the new wifi version. maybe that is the issue here?

 

just did that today from the VFT site - the "stock 04B04 file" was dated pre 9/23 not post 9/23. Will check again. Thanks.

 

yeah, we are still waitin for the update file

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bricked-ecu.799094/page-4#post-29348552

This was posted in a different thread. I can confirm that this stock file will NOT brick your ECU lol. Most definitely do not flash the one from 8/23 or it will.

The one quoted is suppose to be the latest 04b04 with correct cvn.

 

I vote sticky this thread

 

It would be nice for a confirmation on the file referenced in the post = that is does reflect the OEM CVN and does not brick.

 

Sh*t. I have the OTT tune, and of course MD is on board.

Looks like I'll be ECU shopping along with buying Christmas presents.

 

I can confirm the above.

 

So I am honestly confused at this point. Does this all mean that if you have a tune from any tune product and your state requires an emissions test to get a tag, you will need to have an unadulterated ECU on hand to swap out before you get the truck tested?

 

No, people are overreacting. You CAN swap the ECU, but that’s an expensive backup plan.

You can either flash back to stock yourself (with correct laptop/dongle/software) or if you’re not comfortable doing that, a tuner can put you back.

Everyone wanting a spare ECU is on the paranoid side or wants a “guaranteed” way to go back to stock.

 

Kind of. The option to flash back to stock on your current ECU is an option. You don't need a spare. There are some caveats though.
-The first is that this only applies if your state is looking at your ECU/CVN when they do their emissions test. Many states are not looking for this. Colorado wasn't looking until July of 2021. Do some research on your state's emissions test and you will know.
-Second, is if the tune you have is CARB certified. If that is the case then your tuner should have provided you with a CARB EO#. You give that to the emissions tester and you can pass an emissions test with an altered ECU/CVN. Unfortunately at this moment, I do not believe any tune for the Tacoma is CARB certified. Yet!

 

Ok I’m late to the party, I’m in Arizona.(OTT tune and I like it)

No idea when my truck will require emissions, however regardless of years going by I assume someone here in the land of lizards will still be available to revert?(If needed)Does it have to be the exact laptop/person to match the stock file to specific vin or is it a generic file name that’s easy to revert back to?

I paid off the truck already so I guess if Arizona adopts the PITA program I’ll trade it in before I let the state scan it lol!!!!!