Truck Broke (Bad ECM) Update

UPDATE ISSUE DISCOVERED
Update on the issue...ECU is screwed requiring replacement. Only one available to order so hopefully we can put our names on that one, otherwise who knows how long it will be. Just for anyone curious, asked dealer if this was common issue, he said I would not say common, but I would not say rare...and the fact that there is only one in stock in the region would tell him that it is more common than rare.

Also for anyone curious what it costs to fix. Approx $1500. $1200 for part and a couple of hours labor.

Update number 2

The hits just keep on rolling on this machine. New ECM installed, now the TPS is shot, or maybe the TPS failed and took out the ECM, gotta wait for yet another part that's not in stock.

This truck is shaping up to be the least reliable vehicle with under 100K that I have owned in more than 25 years. Bummer, this was the one that I was planning on keeping for a while.
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Sitting here waiting to find out what is wrong with my 2020 with 69K on it, I was doing a bit of online car shopping.

Is the 2nd gen a more robust machine than the 3rd gen? Does it have a better powertrain? Is the engine and transmission in the 2nd gen more robust?

The reason it got me thinking is that I see some relatively low mile 2nd gen out there for a reasonable price. I have already contacted carmax and carvana and got offers for my truck while they figure out what is wrong with it.

Looks like I could sell the 2020 pretty quick when it gets out of the shop, and possibly pick up a reasonable deal on a 2nd gen.

Its a bummer because I really like the truck, it is the 2nd 3rd gen I have had and I figured I would see if this one would go the distance. I drove the truck a couple of days ago, stopped to get something to eat, got back in started it up and got all the lights and gizmos on the dash rough idle, and truck was in limp mode. Luckily I was actually stopped across the street from the toyota dealer, so I limped it in and dropped it off. Day 2 they don't know what is wrong with it.

So unless it is something that makes sense to me to fail, I'll probably cash it in, move it on down the road and pick up something else.

I am also looking at pre safety sense 4 runners as well, I think they are a better built machine.

 

- Loose battery terminal can cause those problems. Had it happen on my rig (my own fault).

- If any of the tail light bulbs are burned out, they can cause those symptoms.

- If you foolishly had connected any aftermarket lights to the fuel injection (INJ) fuse, disconnect the add-a-fuse and put the factory fuse back in the factory location.

2nd gens are susceptible to all the above. Plus they come with old vehicle problems as all 2nd gens are 10+ years old. Timing cover leaks and steering rack leaks are prevalent with 2nd gens due to age. As the 1GR is an ancient design, 2012-2015s needed a flaky manifold air injection system to meet emissions standards. The pumps and switching valves have limited life and fail around the 10-year mark.

 

Well, yeah, 2nd gen best gen

But it doesnt mean that the 3rd gens aren’t still one of the best trucks out there

 

The real questions here are do you actually need a truck and how you use it.

There may be better vehicle choices out there depending on your answers

 

Whether it's an old beater truck or a new one, I absolutely need a truck around the property. For driving day to day I can ride a motorcycle if I need to, I was kind of looking at some options one option was cash in Tacoma, pick up older pickup for property use, find a 4 runner to use on fishing and camping trips etc.

I wasn't thinking of getting rid of the Tacoma until it ended up in the shop and I started looking at the economics of selling it now vs later. It's actually in its magic period due to age and mileage where it almost makes sense to cash it out, take care of a few things.

I usually look at Toyotas because you can usually get more for your money if you sell them at the right time...Like buy a 2nd gen for 20-22K drive it another 70 K(5 years in my current use case) sell it for a few thousand less than I bought it for, rinse and repeat.

The current one I used for about 5 years and if I cash it out it will have cost me about 8-9 K...not bad, and I'm not sure I could do that with many other brands...

 

NO!

 

My theory is these 3rd Gens are going to hold or increase in value over time,
Worst case scenario is the lose value at a very slow rate.

The 4th Gens ain't selling anywhere close to the 2023's. If I had the money I would have
bought a dozen of the 2023's in every style/color/configuration out there and just housed them
like rich people house their Porsche collection.

 

If an auto repair has you wanting to dump said vehicle; I wouldn’t look to replace with something older and more miles,,, nothing is that good.

I’d guess you’re board and are looking for reason to change,,, but just a guess.

 

2nd Gens are not better.
They just have less things on them to break.

The more stuff (parts) you have, the more the odds increase of a failure.

 

I’ve owned a 2018 Tacoma trd off road 4x4 brand new for 60k miles it was pretty trouble free and a decent truck it did develop some minor rattles in the dash and I babied that truck its entire life it was a Mexican built one. The gear hunting wasn’t terrible but on mountains and any grades it was pretty bad, I would have to put it in s mode and lock it into 3rd gear to merge onto a really short on ramp by my house

currently have a 2015 trd sport 4x4 I got used at 80k miles also Mexican built and while the owner did meticulous maintenance I can tell he didn’t baby it anywhere the level I babied my 3rd gen and it’s been an absolutely fantastic truck and I can say without bias I enjoy driving it more than the 3rd gen, I have a 2023 4Runner trd off road and I like driving my taco better

 

No shit head its because people blame Tacomas built in Mexico for having issues compared to the ones built in the us. I had a commiefornia built one I trust Mexican workers over fat incompetent soft hand Americans

 

Owned both. 2nd was the better truck. Of course I could be wrong. I'm only basing that opinion on 18 years of driving them so someone here correct me please.

 

What is it you would like stopped?

 

Little bit bored for sure...got the diagnosis...ECU toast...

 

Interesting on such a new vehicle but it's also a covid built vehicle and I'd lay good money that all manufacturers are going to see electronic failures at a higher rate in the first couple of those years due to chip sourcing from non normal manufacturers.

 

An ECU failure is NOT common.
I would call it rare.

I hope they made the right call.

Toyota's flow chart typically end with "replace" part.

I'd be asking who pays for the part and labor if it doesn't "fix" the issue?
That's how uncommon a ECU failure is.

 

Perhaps the OP should sell the rig and purchase a 1975 or earlier vehicle...you can do whatever you like to it when you work on it yourself!

Cheers

 

It's not covid build vehicle, the truck was actually built in 2019. I bought the truck the week that the Covid panic started, I figured since they were talking about closing businesses etc that there would be a buying opportunity....I was right..So I traded my 2016 in on the 2020 and got a screaming deal on both my trade in and new truck since they were afraid it was one of their last sales.

Remember, before everyone went and bought cars, dealers were panicked that they might be forced out of business.

I bought a new Tractor the next day because of the same reason, same thing, screaming deal just about paid me to make a last sale. I wish I would have bought 3 houses that same week..lol

 

Funny you say that, I have a restored 66 Ford F100 I have my eye on right now saved in my favorites, I will be going to take a look at it later today or tomorrow.

 

Nahh......You can't get OEM parts.
Aftermarket parts are junk.
No one cares......
The only person that cares is the person who's car is broke.
Tough luck. Buy a good set of walking shoes, and get to walking.
Or......Buy a new one and hope for the best.