Abnormal Chirp or Squeak Noise from High Pressure Fuel Pump

It took less then 2 hours for pump removal and install, the tech said he wanted to let the fuel pressure subside so to not have fuel going everywhere when disconnecting the lines. They also replaced the fuel pump cam lifter which drives the pump. Since I was also waiting for the transmission to cool to reach the proper temperature to check the fluid level it was time well spent. The replacement pump is functioning well.

 

How many miles on your truck? The chirping I've been having the last few weeks has gotten noticeably worse and louder. Just hit 5k miles so I'm gonna to have it looked at. Did you get any pushback on this?

 

I just finished having my truck looked at for this issue today. Apparently toyota is aware if the issue and is currently making a new fuel pump to replace the old. They even had some master techs come down and record the sounds for corporate.

 

Overall a good experience. We should be expecting a recall for this issue within the next few months.

 

I heard the chirping noise at about 1500 miles and by the time I got dealer approval and installed ordered fuel pump my truck had close to 2000 miles. I was already at the dealer getting the transmission TSB 00077-16 update when the tech heard and identified the chirping noise however at the time he said, he wasn't sure if Toyota would replace it. I read on TW about OP's chirping experience and after communicating with him, he was very helpful in provided me with his service department where the fuel pump was identified and replaced who I also spoke with. I then contacted the Service Manager at my dealership and described the problem and told him about his tech hearing it and what I learned from OP and his dealer. He agreed to replace it and had no issues at all. The replacement pump was ordered and installed a week later. I was told by the tech installing the new pump that Toyota is most likely aware of this problem and possibly 10% or more of 2016 -17 Tacoma's may be effected. I'm sure there is and will be plenty of dealership war stories for this one!

 

Update: Back at Toyota getting my 10K mile service. Talking to the service writer, I asked if the mechanic could check/replace the High pressure fuel pump because it's causing the chirping sound. I even started my truck so he could hear it, which he admitted he heard. He called over the service manager and he too heard the chirp and agreed it was the high pressure fuel pump. He even mentioned it was similar to the Scion FRS issue. Unfortunately, he said unless there's a recall or bulletin out directing Toyota service departments to take action, there was nothing he could do. He said they would still inspect it but was honest that they probably would not replace it. However, he did say he would submit some sort of audit report (forgot the actual wording he used??) with my claim to corporate Toyota. He said not to worry, and that I wasn't the only one stuck in this "rut" and that Toyota is probably aware and working on a solution, and to be patient. So I guess now it's a waiting game.

 

I did get the fuel pump replaced on 9/12/16 at 2,017 miles and at about 150 miles later the noise is back and more consistent. I stopped by my local dealer today to report/document this issue and they are calling Toyota Tech Assist to see what they will suggest as a next step. The service adviser said they may not do anything this time. Certainly not a good feeling to hear that.

 

Wow. I wonder what they replaced. I know more parts was involved then the pump itself. Got a work ticket for it?

 

Yes, I have a work ticket for it. This is the first I heard that there are additional parts needed. Any idea what those are so I can pass it along to them?

 

I'd have to find mine. I know it's the pump but also stuff to go with the pump @Mag16tac might have a copy of one.

 

I've had this issue from about 1400 miles. Had it in twice for a few things and of course it wasn't making the noise at that particular time and I got the "it's normal fuel injection tick" answer. Today I dropped my truck off for my 5000 mile service. I had a video on my phone of the noise, which the SA had me text to her, and it was indeed chirping when I dropped it off and the SA and another tech of some sort both heard it ("sounds like a bird!"). We'll see if anything gets done this time...

 

Just got the call from the dealer. SA, tech, and foreman all say they hear the noise but they said they tried 2 other trucks on the lot and they do the same thing - i.e. normal. They are supposed to let me listen to another truck when I get there. Oy...


*Update: Of course no trucks were making the noise when I got there (not even mine). We let my truck warm up a bit with the tech standing there and verified with him that the noise I'm complaining about is not the fuel injection "tick". He was open to my opinion and the truck finally started to make a little bit of noise but not like what I wanted him to hear. He decided he'd like to keep the truck overnight and investigate more. When it did start to make a sound he did mention the fuel pump though. Also, he said the Toyota Field Service Rep will be there tomorrow so maybe that will help...

 

Totally different noise then what the fuel injector noise is. I tried new trucks on lot and none of the others made the chirping sound however, in all fairness this noise seems to appear after a few hundred miles or more on most complaints. I was told if the noise returns they would continue to install new pumps until the noise is gone for good however, no issues so far. I believe TacoFister said he has several thousand miles on his replaced pump.

 

Yeah the other 2 times I've had it looked at they would hand me the "tech tip" referring to the fuel injector tick and I just told them "that's not the sound I'm talking about". When I actually talked to the tech this time with the engine running I think (hope) I got through to him. If nothing gets done this time at least I have it documented multiple times. And everything I've read seems to indicate it's not doing anything detrimental to the engine - just an annoyance...

 

Sounds like a dealership issue, but the Tech could not assure me if the noise returns it could be some kind of mechanical issue later, I guess not enough information out there yet however, it was enough to make my case to the dealer to replace the pump and it was covered by Toyota. Just can't afford to have future issues and spend $1400 if this happens again when not under warranty.

 

I'm going to let y'all in on a secret. Yes, it's the HPFP. No, Toyota isn't going to fix it.
My previous car was the 2013 Scion FRS which was plagued by the exact same problem. All of them have it; all of them do it. Toyota replaced the pumps the first year or so the car was out. I had mine changed twice as they came out with revisions to the pump. It never helped. They would replace it, then 1k miles later it would be back louder than ever. If you're interested, do a google search for "FRS crickets"
My truck has started doing it now. I notified the dealership, but they confirmed what I already knew - HPFP and not much they could do about it. It's extremely annoying. BUT -

The FRS community has identified some ways to mitigate it.
1. Higher concentration ethanol fuel tends to make it louder. Using non-ethanol fuel regularly makes it almost completely go away.
2. Warmer temps outside make it louder. It will almost completely go away during the winter.
3. Some people used lubricating additives (like Lucas) every few tanks of fuel to help. I didn't like that option so I didn't do it.

Toyota is STILL changing the design of the HPFP in the FRS. The 2017 just received a different design.

 

You are right about the problem however, some dealers are stepping up attempting to resolve it if you have a cooperating dealer. So far the OP's Tacoma with over 10.000 miles since the replacement pump, mine and some others the noise is gone since the replacement under warranty. I would not hesitate going back to the dealer if the noise returns for another pump until resolved as the Service Manager instructed me to do. Another example is a friend of mine who owns a 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport with over 6000 miles and he never had the chirping noise. This certainly is an interesting issue but, perhaps a large supply of rejected noisy fuel pumps under warranty might provide Toyota some extra incentive to find a permanent solution.

 

Honestly mine chirped, bought it in March of this year. I even captured it on video several times and would consistently hear it idling warm, especially in drive thrus where there was a close by wall for the sound to ricochet off of. But I have looked for it recently and it is not doing it anymore. I haven't changed anything, I fill up at the same gas station, the weather is still just as warm where I live. So I have no idea. It is entirely possible it will come back, but for now there has been zero chirping. Perhaps different "blends" of gas as it is a different time of the year? Otherwise I have no clue as I haven't changed anything.

 

New member here... And wish this wasn't my first post. 2017 Tacoma TRD Off Road, under 100 miles on it and I have the chirping. Ticking is there also, which I know is normal. My brother has a 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport and we had them idling side by side today... His does not make the noise. WTF? Time to call the dealer!!

 

Welcome to TW! I hope you have a cooperative dealer that will listen and work with you, it's not operating as designed!!!