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

Did they read the TSB themselves? If I were you, I would highlight the section that shows which vehicle(s) this TSB applies to, then bring it back to them with your highlighted paper and have them read it out loud in front of you. Should do the trick. Don't do it "smugly," but go in there confidently but firm.

 

Well I just scheduled service to have my truck dropped of Wednesday for this. Guess we will see what they say.

 

It took 2 test drives but finally a tech heard the pinging and accepted/applied the TSB on my 2013. He said it didn't fix the issue and offered to do an "top-end engine clean" which they described as spraying a can of stuff into the intake while the motor was running to clear any carbon build up. I politely declined, as this is something I would be comfortable doing on my own (I believe Seafoam has a kit for it). After my first fresh tank of regular gas, the ignition system seemed to "learn" the required timing and I've been ping free for the last 3 tanks. No more need for premium! And I haven't done the top end cleaning, as there shouldn't be much carbon based on my lack of miles+driving habits.

Not sure if this has been stated but they will NOT do the TSB unless they hear it, so expect a fight if they come back saying "sorry". You know your truck better than them.

 

Mine did the tsb because I asked them nice.

I brought it in in dead of winter [and to reproduce the issue it has to be 80 degrees
out or more according to the tsb]....so I asked well gee no way to repro but it does
do it...they did it. solved 99% the pings. every once in a blue moon it may ping
but it used to happen 5 times a day. now, almost never

 

A word of caution to anyone thinking about installing a supercharger... Having this (or any ECU flash) done prevents updating the ECU with the required supercharger tune. Doesn't matter if you roll the dice with Magnuson's BullyDog tuner or go to Toyota. Once your ECU has anything other than its original tune/firmware, you're SOL. Your only option will be to buy a "virgin" ECU, which are becoming hard to find since everything from Toyota is pre-updated.

Yes, this is the voice of experience.

 

Dropped the truck off at 10am. Toyota called at 1300 saying the tech that drove the truck did hear and feel the "pinging" and would be performing the fix for me.

 

My truck is currently at the dealership for this TSB. Provided the print out and everything. I will provide an update if they can "reproduce the symptoms" and reflash the ECM. Wish me luck.

 

Got it done. No more pinging. Thank you OP and the TW community once again!

 

Thats a lot more in depth then mine was lol.

"Customer requesting T-SB-0044-14 - STATES PINGING AT 1800RPM, UNDER LOAD, UPHILL, WHEN ABOVE 80DEGREES OUTSIDE."
"TECH TEST DROVE AND HEARD AND FELT SPARK DETONATION."
"REPROGRAMMED ECM"

But whatever they did, man its better by 10 fold. My butt dyno even says its more responsive and has more power. Ive noticed my engine runs quieter, smoother, and my exhaust tone has also changed. I always swore I had an exhaust leak, but that sound went away too.

 

So, my 2012 just started this pinging under light acceleration a few weeks ago, but I'm at 95K miles. I assume I'm SOL and they won't do the TSB for a truck with that mileage?

 

They'll probably do it, but charge you. IIRC, local dealer tried to charge me ~$75 for it before I reminded them mine was still under warranty.

 

Sub'd

 

What issues are you running into? I got the tsb done but I want to do the supercharger sometime in the future.

 

As I said, once flashed for the TSB, the ECU must be replaced (with a "virgin" unit) if you want to run the TRD flash/tune. Toyota is unable to flash the ECU a second time.

 

I understand that. Are you running into drivability issues with the supercharger and the tsb flash?

 

No idea. I bought a virgin ECU that I had flashed with the TRD supercharger tune. No issues running that.

Neither the stock nor TSB tune is appropriate for use with a supercharger, since they don't account for the increased amount of air entering the engine or the larger fuel injectors that come with the kit.

 

Op, thank you for this post. I read this about a year ago and had the TSB performed. @25K Little to no spark knock remaining since @35K

 

8 years/80k miles; maybe they'll have some mercy on you as you're under the 8 years..

 

Just had the TSB done today. No trouble at the dealership, they were great actually! I just described the symptoms, took a tech for a drive, and they did the flash for no charge under warranty. On the drive to the dealer I could consistently get it to ping, after the update I could not get it to ping no matter how hard I tried. Very happy!

 

With all the trucks pinging, has anyone had an engine failure? I have not seen one around here.....