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

I just wanted to thank you guys for posting the TSB. It took me showing the dealership the copy you guys posted to get the ball rolling.

I had the service performed today and it seems to be 100% fixed. It was actually a perfect day to go, high was 93 in Birmingham and my truck was pinging like crazy. I have yet to hear a ping since the service( I am an 86 octane user ). This was my only grip about my truck, now it's gone!

 

Just curious, has anyone tried correcting the issue with a pcv catch can?

 

that aint going to do shit for this issue.

 

so it didn't help at all when you tried it?

 

It seems like my regular use of premium fuel before this TSB affected the amount of time it took the computer to adjust, but I could be wrong. Either way, give it awhile and let us know how she does.

Glad to help. Isn't it great to be able to help each other out with these issues? I really enjoy being well informed on my own vehicle, and seeing other people receive good service as well.

I can echo the fact that the pinging issue & having to run premium 97 fuel was an issue for me. Having this cleared up and back to running 87 regular, I'm a happy fella.

I think what he's trying to say is that the oil catch can won't solve the pinging/ticking issue that this computer reflash TSB has shown to be affective at correcting.

 

I've had it done on my truck which was pretty bad before hand. I just had it completed last weekend and have only driven my truck twice since then but it was still doing it. It was no where near as noticeable and it didn't seem to last as long as it had before. It seems like the way the engine was revving and the shift points are slightly different but like I said still a slight ping once the engine warms up. I use 87 octane.

One of your first comments in the thread started with that you were surprised no one was reporting it in the forum. I couldn't figure out where it was coming from and couldn't explain the noise really. Everything I tried to research on the issue led me to believe it might be an exhaust or heat shield issue. Makes me sick to think its in the engine. This is the first new vehicle I have ever bought. Now has 35,000 miles. Never had an ounce of trouble out of my 01 Tacoma.

 

Give it a bit of time and see if the pinging is reduced. Let us know what happens. Mine went from very obvious and harsh sounding to barely noticeable. Now I have to strain my ears to hear it ping, and then try to decide if I'm actually hearing the pinging, or if it's my imagination.

Yes, I was actually surprised that no one had posted the TSB. I had previously seen many people talking about the pinging/chatter noises, but practically 0% publicity of the TSB.

You might have a heat shield loose still that is causing a rattle? If I were you (and if you already haven't done this), I would wait until my truck is cooled down, and get under her and investigate the fastening of various shields.

Either way, you've had the TSB performed for pinging, and now it is documented with Toyota that the problem exists for your vehicle. If you have any future issues and you can fall back on the documentation & prove that there is a problem & a solution was attempted.

Keep us updated as you put miles on her.

 

It was a rhetorical question...

Personally, if any of my vehicles had an audible knock due to detonation or pre-ignition, I would be doing anything possible to stop it. IMO any audible knock is bad. A well setup knock sensor should catch it well before it gets to that point.

If it can be corrected for some people by running premium fuel, a catch can should be able to do a little to help. The junk coming through your PCV line can lower the octane rating of the fuel which in turn raises the chance of pre-ignition or detonation.

I wonder how much the the TSB has an effect on HP/TQ if it's just retarding the timing.

 

Hopefully I'll have more luck with the dealership that I bought the truck from.

 

Without having a before/after dyno, or knowing what the reflash program actually is, it doesn't feel like I've lost any power. I do think they tweaked parameters other than just the timing though. The truck shifts when I expect it to. Before it was like a race to 5th regardless of speed or incline...it always wanted to be in overdrive. Now it hangs on to the gear if you increase throttle slowly where before it would shift up and bog down (and ping).

 

This is a 100% accurate description of my experience as well. Truck used to shift from 1-2-3-4 too fast, and leave it feeling sluggish until extra skinny pedal input. Then it would downshift, lurch awkwardly, and speed up. Now post-TSB, it shifts much smoother and seems to stay in each gear for the right amount of time to match throttle input/ground speed.

 

I had my 2012 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner 2WD/4D/SB/V6 flashed with T-SB-0044-14. Verdict is: much improved reduction in pinging/knocking, no discernible decrease in MPG, and (it seems) improved transmission shifting.

 

Had mine done about a week ago and on 2 tanks of 87 E10. It is ALMOST 100% fixed. I said almost because it still does pings but very rare and you have to TRAIN your ears to notice that (I tried to listen to the pings/knocks sounds). The best thing is when it pings you can only hear 1 or 2 pings then it goes away. Before it pings until you let go of the throttle, smash the throttle, or you start descending. I feel like my truck perform BETTER after the TSB...may be it is a mind-thing.

MPG? The first tank stayed the same at 20.xxx MPG. The second tank is not as good since I did 3 local 3000+ lbs towing trips....

 

They want me to bring mine back in to have the fuel system cleaned (recommended every 30K supposedly) which basically involves cleaning the throttle body, run some additives through it while running, clean the injectors believe thats about it. Said never fill up gas while tanker truck is filling station tanks becuase it stirs up debris, which I knew. Also asked where I usually purchased gas. I don't purchase at a particular place just whatever is closest when I need gas but not typically an "EL CHEAPO" type place.

 

It's been about a week and a half since the TSB, and TSB for the driveshaft, and my truck runs a ton better. Very rare pinging, and smoother trans shifts. Very happy so far.

 

I've never seen anything from toyota that talks about fuel system maintenance at 30k miles. Strange.

Good good glad to hear it.

500+ miles for me, along with some 95-100 * F weather here in central california, and my truck continues to run smooth and ping/tick/knock free.

 

Just under 10k miles mine started pinging today going uphill while running 87 octane NO ethanol fuel. It did this just as I left the dealership for another matter so unfortunately I had to turn it around and take it back in. I mentioned the TSB and no questions asked the service writer entered it in. Its being done now so we'll see if it helps.

 

Strange, eh? Chime in and let us know how it goes.

 

I own a 12 dc v6 and have not heard pinging or knocking since before spring. I'm hearing in this thread a lot about pinging or knocking when it's hot outside. What about when it's below 32 degrees outside? When the engine is cold and the outside temp is below freezing my truck would knock for the first mile or two or until the engine temp started to climb to operating temp. Am I the only one who has experienced this situation.
I took my truck to the dealership last week for an unrelated service bulletin (brake actuator) and they mentioned a second bulletin for an updated label which I'm assuming is what this thread is about. Has anyone had a similar experience?

 

UPDATE: ok I called the dealership and asked the service person to give me a run down on my invoice. The label that was updated was for the trd wheels. It was for tire recommendations.