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

Had mine done this morning. DCH Toyota, Oxnard verified my vin and re flashed. Towing my 5000 lb trailer up to Redding and hope no pinging. Took 3 hrs but if no pinging was worth it.

 

Pre TSB 2012 here. Knocking and pinging have been present fom day one. Seemed to have went away some with the fuel pump replacement.

 

Same issue here (2012, 4.0 L, 87 octane, 44k miles). Just got TCU done at dealership, and knock almost completely went away, almost. I'm thinking that both carbon buildup and poor stock tune are to blame for me, since the new tune significantly decreased my knock, but did not eliminate it. Might try sea foam and new plugs (doubt previous owner changed original plugs, bought at 40k). Probably going to run higher octane based on previous posts. Will update once done

*UPDATE*
Before I did any maintenance, I put in mid-grade (89 octane) gas and that completely eliminated what little spark knock I still had after the dealership ECU reflash. I decided to change spark plugs anyway, and sure enough it ran even smoother. I might try a bit of 87 octane to remove the octane variable and see if the flash and plugs solved the issue.

Also, I used a borehole camera to check out my cylinders, and they weren't exactly pretty, they appeared to have both carbon buildup (not surprising) and be wet with oil (not standing oil, just wet). Not sure if this is normal, but it may contribute to the issue at hand. I'll start a different thread with pictures as to not hijack.

 

Anyone here had any success getting a reflash on a pre 2012 tacoma and ending the pinging issue?

 

I have a 2013 Baja with SC. It now has 30k on it. At the 15k service I experienced the same thing. Paint on zert fittings. I took the truck back, they were embarrassed that I caught it, immediately, and humbly took my truck in and lubed all items with jerk fittings. These ARE NOT lifetime, you don't need to lube u joints. They need to be lubed every 15k. I also purchased the extra service to 45k
My second note is I believe the truck is running too rich. MPG between 15 to 18. No pinging. I have never seen 20mpg even pre SC. Tail pipe is very sooty.

 

I have a feeling Toyota was only addressing the problem for the Gen 2.5 trucks and basically telling the rest of us to screw off. I consider this a pretty big latent defect on their end. My 2011, produced in June 2011, immediately pings in the RPM range described by TSB. It exhibits all of the same symptoms, yet there is no fix. That said, this hasn't affected my MPG. Its just embarassing that this truck sometimes sounds like the engine isn't maintained between the normal ticking and occasional pinging.

I recently ran 2-3 tanks of 93, which muffled most of the pinging. I transported a bed full of mulch, and no pinging was audible. I dropped to 87 again for this week, and it immediately became noticable again.

The only way to make it go away on your own is to get a piggy back ECU, and get the engine tuned to run on 87 octane.

 

I agree, it is just a piece of the programming that is missing or has incorrect settings. mine used to ping every damn day, after the software update, it never ever pings. perhaps they don't want to tie up engineering on older trucks based on number of complaints-to-year

 

Agreed - I remember reading that that ECU updates that potentially affect Air to Fuel ratios need some level of requalification and approval by the EPA since there is potential impact to emissions.

Does anyone, with 2005-2011 V6, know if the TRD supercharger and flash resolve the pinging?

 

Do any of you all know if this happens in the LATE 2014s? I have a 2014 4cyl 5spd... and I honestly dont know if this is happening. I have recently towed a dual axel trailer with a Yamaha Rhino and John Deere home lawn mower on it... I really didn't seem to hear or notice any issues. The haul was 3 hours to the hunt club. I am not sure of my build date, but all of your posts to concern me....

 

I just purchased a 2012 TRD Off Road that has 44,000 on it. I haven't noticed any unusual pinging noises, but I'm not one to listen for them either. I just read every post on this thread and don't see any problems trying to get this completed if a dealer is willing.

Since it is a software update wouldn't everyone who has an effected year benefit from this update if a dealer will do it? Or if there are no symptoms will they never come, or do we just hope they happen before the warranty expires?

 

Had this update performed today. Quick and easy, taking less than an hour at the dealer. I don't really notice any drivability difference, other that it may be shifting into a lower gear more readily than it did in the past. As far as knocking, mine would only do it under load going up a hill, and I only heard it twice before the update. Didn't hear it any today after the fix. I've been getting 21 MPG lately... time will tell if this update changes that.

 

2014, 11000 miles, 87 with NO Ethanol. No Pings.

 

I would go ahead and request *demand* the dealership give you the reflash. I have basically the same truck with the same mileage and it just started pinging a month or two ago. They should do it for free like mine did, and you never know when they will just say the service is no longer covered for free.

I think the pinging (since it seems to be spark knock) is likely associated with warmer temps, so posters who don't live in ungodly hot locations like I do may not have the environmental factor.

 

I have a very slight pinging. Is it worth having the TSB done?

 

It should be covered under the 60k powertrain warranty

 

Yes. You might as well have the most current software running your truck. It doesn't take long to have it done.

 

no

it's covered under the 80,000 mile emissions warranty

 

Even better

 

+1 I found no change in performance, and it got rid of the pinging

 

I completed mine a few days ago at 43k. For the last two years I've been running mid-grade fuel to minimize the pinging. Big Two Toyota, in Chandler AZ, completed it with no questions asked after I provided the TSB number to them. My truck runs a hell of a lot better now. I filled it up with regular unleaded and have rarely heard any pinging during the first 100 miles with the daily temperature between 90-102. Multiple tests of driving down the freeway at 55 with the RPM's at approximately 1800 and then punching it has given me immediate engine response. Prior to that the truck would hesitate slightly, ping, and then drop down a gear. Now it just goes. Lastly, the engine just seems to idle smoother. I don't know if this is the placebo affect, but regardless, I appreciate the prior posts and education.