T-SB-0044-14 Feedback: Engine ECM Reprogram [Pinging]

glad you're getting good service now. Any feedback yet post-tsb?

Hey glad to hear of the good results. It sounds like their assessment of the oily sheen was accurate. Either way, like you already mentioned, you have it documented now for future reference.

 

I had a noise (not obvious ping or knock) in the mornings that I called a rattle/clatter/steam engine type noise that occurred below operating temperatures in cold weather. One of the videos a few pages back had a VERY similar noise.

I provided the TSB number referenced here and even mentioned that the TSB is for knock in hot weather. After a little back and forth and phone tag they said in the paperwork upon pickup: "C/S there is an engine noise... sounds like cold weather engine noise...clatter noise...tsb-0044-14/rough start. EG1404 spark knock noise 2012-2014 Tacoma. Performed tsb op code eg1404 ecu reprogram."

So far it seems quieter in general, although it is too soon to tell if that morning "clatter" is still there.

No complaints or anything getting them to do it, like my seatbelt chimes and pretty much anything else I can get on paper to an 'actual' mechanic not the quik-lube guys.

 

Made my appt. today to have this performed to mine on Friday. Its 60* here today and I'm running 93 octane in the truck and it still pings so hopefully this solves the issue.

 

Six days in from having TSB done and appears the re-flash changes the transmission shift points. My Tacoma drives smoother and shifts more positive. Before TSB truck felt sluggish and would knock shifting from 4th to 5th on warm days.

 

you must have a magical 6 speed auto that was never made.

 

Took my 2014 DCSB OR to the dealer yesterday for the "tacoma tick". Mine gets noticeably louder at 1500-2000 rpm and when going downhill in 3rd. Since my truck only has 3K miles on it, I wanted to make sure this was a normal sound. I've read all the posts so it sounds like it is normal so I'm not super concerned about it. The mechanic and I took it for a spin to see so he could hear the tick. We were able to duplicate it. He said my "truck is operating as designed and that no repairs are recommended, this is characteristic of the vehicle." I asked what was causing the tick. He could not give me an answer and said only the "engineers" know what it is!!! I did not like that answer so I will investigate further. He suggested opening a TAS case and we did. They advised me of the TSB 0044-14 re-flash. I asked if it affects power or the vehicle in any negative way but he did not know. I declined the reflash for now until I understand more what it does. I can always go back. Switched to 92 octane. Seams like it's driving better but the tick is still there. I will do some more research (not urgent) and may do the reflash at a later time.

 

I felt the same thing when mine was re-flashed. Over time, it appears that my transmission has re-learned my drive habits.

 

I had mine done about a month ago. It was absolutely fantastic. The knock is currently gone, the ride is much smoother, low end power seems to be up. I've noticed that I turn slightly higher RPM at highway speed after the TSB was done. Nothing drastic. I've overall had improved gas mileage (slightly). I base mine on the old tried and true method. Divide Miles driven in a tank to the gallons refilled.

 

I stand corrected...

 

Cough. Broke down & put 89 in mine today cuz mines still slightly pinging. Immediate change and no more ping the rest of the day. sigh. at least gas prices are less at this time.

 

That's a bummer to hear, I'm sitting in service waiting for mine to be performed. I guess any improvement is better then this constant chattering. Is anyone concerned with longevity issues who have had this pinging for sometime?

 

well no TSB performed for me, dealer said that it wasn't pinging severely enough for them to do the TSB. Bunch of bs is you ask me, if its pinging its pinging shouldn't matter how bad its doing it. I explained to them today is a cooler day and I'm running 93 to help minimize it. still say its not severe enough. So they want me to put 87 in it an listen to my rattle trap of an engine and then come back and waste another 4hrs of my life there. Crazy, Toyota knows the tune on these trucks is wrong I don't understand why they make some of us jump through hoops to get an issue fixed.

 

Can anyone else describe the noise they are hearing during acceleration? Not really sure what a "pinging" noise sounds like, but mine sounds like a light metallic "flutter" or "ticking" sound upon acceleration at rpms usually between 1500-2500. I listened to the youtube video someone posted, but that sounds more like an actually quick loud rattle or knock then it would stop. Nothing like mine sounds like. Mine is constant and doesn't go away during acceleration until I left off the pedal. Anyways, I had the TSB done this morning and they said it was fixed, keeping my fingers crossed.

 

Mine sounds just like you described and is constant as well, not just in the sweet spot while in overdrive at about 1500 rpm. Glad to see you had some success in being able to have the TSB performed.

 

Ridiculous and 4 hours? I'd raise hell when when you take it back with 87 and get them to do it immediately.

What yours sound like is a pretty good explanation of pinging, so hopefully yours if fixed, chime back in and let us know.

Mine is no where as bad as it was before, so the tsb did help a lot.

 

Wow, I pulled into the service dept at my dealer, told him about the pinging, an hour later I'm out with a smooth-running truck with zero pinging. GO TO ANOTHER DEALER. By the way I'm not a fan of dealerships but Bob Tyler toyota in Pensacola has been great with any issues I've had.

 

Yeah 4 hrs for that crap, I did get on them a bit and they told me they test drove twice and that it wasn't severe enough. So I requested to take them on a drive and I was able to make it ping only to hear the same lame bs. Makes me made, this Tsb cannot cost Toyota much and anyone who mentions pinging should be able to get it performed. When I took it in for the vibration tsb they didn't even test drive it and I know new leafs and trans mount is costing Toyota more then a ecm reflash. I mean if the truck is pinging on 93 when it's 57* out common sense should tell you I'm not making it up when I tell them my engine sounds like a can full of pennies when it's warm out or I'm running 87.

 

For those that have had this TSB done, did the technian put a sticker underneath the hood afterwards on the bottom right side close to the windshield showing that it was done? They performed the TSB on my truck but I don't see the sticker with the info on it showing it was done. All I have is the paper/receipt from the dealership.

 

I didn't get one, a sticker that is. It's notated on the RO, and Toyota has a record of it.

 

I didn't get one either