ECT Mod -- ON ALL the time

Some people are trail blazers I guess, feel the need to walk the rocky path.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for figuring this out mesojdm!

I did this mod yesterday and it works like a champ. I'm in the camp of driving with this on at all times and I hated pressing that button. My wife's Lexus has a toggle for this, which in my opinion is the way our trucks should be. Anyway, just wanted to say "thanks" and your effort is appreciated.

Happy Motoring!

 

my concern is what happens when you have a issue with something power train related and the dealer discovers what has been done....that's why i would like to use the folders button or back button on the steering wheel.

 

I have an idea to make this simpler. I don't have a 2016/17 truck, but can someone who has one tell me if there is 12v to the ECT button always, or only when the engine is running? Also is the ECT button lighted (does the button light when ECT is enabled)?

 

No power when off. Yes the button is illuminated.

I'm waiting on this to see if Rev 1 of the TSB is going to adjust shift points. This may be OBE.

 

Genius!!

have to ask how difficult would it be to create a plug and play harness? To plug on the ECT side and then on the light side. Source blank plugs and wire as needed? Are blank plugs even sold?

Anyway, job well done on this mod - ECT on is the only way to drive the 16-17 Tacoma.

 

Isn't ECT on all the time killing your gas mileage?

 

Nope

 

Can someone please post a picture of both sides of the ECT button plug?

Side note; I find it ironic that all these behaviors that we're trying to get around (early shifting, etc..) were designed to increase fuel economy. However I was just reading the fuel economy thread, and it seems that most people with the latest trucks are not getting any better mileage than I get with my 1999 v6 4x4.

 

I have only sourced the MALE end(see prev post for part number), no luck on the female end yet.
Here is the connector and switch;

 

BTW,
Been driving it a lot the past week. ECT kicks on everytime. This mod has been flawless so far, no issues.

 

The biggest pain in my ass isn't early shifting or needing ECT (2.7 prerunners actually have 4.10 gearing, strangely enough), it's actually NOT upshifting when it really should. I think that's probably killing my mileage worse than anything else.
For instance, I'll approach a steep hill in 6th going about 50-55. OK, clearly I need to downshift to maintain speed here. Kick the pedal down a bit and boom, down into 4th she goes. I maintain speed up the hill just fine. Crest the hill, let off... and no upshift. Like, just hanging out there in 4th. Doesn't always happen, but when it does it's annoying as shit. Probably very little hope for a TSB reflash on that based on how few units are sold with the 4 cylinders anymore. ATF level has been checked physically and it's fine.

 

was thinking the same thing.

 

Thank you very much for everything you've posted so far! I've got a solution in mind for a complete plug-n-play solution that fits on a tiny PCB and plugs in-line with the button and uses a delayed one shot timer to "push the button" when the truck starts. But like you I'm having trouble finding the female plug to complete the plug-n-play solution. Have you had any luck finding the female side?

 

^ that would be awesome. I was trying to fabricate the same thing. Unfortunately I can't source the female connector anywhere.
In the meantime, this mod has been working like a charm.

 

I can attest to this being the case. Unless I'm on the interstate, ECT mode has actually netted me some extra fuel economy along with better drivability.

 

Not only do I wanna do this to my Taco, but wanna do it to my Prius and the PWR mode button too!

 

One comment I'll make about ECT on the highway... it does tend to hold gears and not upshift but if you set your cruise control it will behave as if the ECT was not enabled. I noticed that on my '15 VW Golf. Sport mode was so fun but I didn't like having to switch back and forth as I got on and off the freeway, then I noticed the cruise control calms it down.

 

Sub'd.

 

Do you think it's possible to rig this up with a single time delay relay that would use the starter signal as the trigger with a super short on/off delay?

http://www.wolstentech.com/products/timedelayrelay/timedelayrelay.php