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

I'm sure happy I found this thread. My truck started knocking about 4 months ago. I took it in to the dealer with a cold start knock. I could hear it sometimes at warm idle and low torque acceleration. The tech said it was normal, said that I would have to leave it overnight so he could check it in the morning. I even showed him a video that I taped of the truck that very morning. Said he would have to hear it for himself to diagnose. I documented it. I then had it's complimentary oil change done done. It seemed to lessen. I then reset the ecu by disconnecting the battery. It went away. It's back. I listened to the videos of this (ping) and its exactly what my truck is doing. Finally a path to a fix!!! I'll make a dealer appt tomorrow for the tsb and let everyone know how I fared. Thanks guys, a lot.

 

My knocking issue began not long after my first oil change. Switching to 91 octane helped a lot but did not completely eliminate the knocking. When I read about this TSB I was happy there was a solution to the one thing I absolutely hated about my new Tacoma. Filled my truck with 87, printed the TSB from this thread and took them both to the dealer here in Guam to see what they would do. Well to my pleasant surprise they were able to replicate the knocking and said they would need to reflash the ECM as per the TSB. Well, I had that done 2 days ago and I am happy to report that the knocking seems to be gone. I am on my second tank of 87 octane so we'll see after a few more fill ups. I too have noticed that shifting seems a little smoother now or that the shift points seem to be different rpm as compared to before. So far I am happy with the reflash.

 

Nice, I'm calling today to get mine in for that and the brake recall.
So ridiculous to have to put 89 or 91 octane in to make it stop. I put 87 in yesterday and I started it up and left this morning... It sounds so terrible!!! Hopefully they will fix it.

 

I'm really glad I found this thread. I've saved the PDF and emailed it to myself with the TSB# in the subject. I am literally sitting in my dealer's customer waiting area right now as I dropped it off with this exact same headache. He said "pinging is normal in these engines so I don't know that they'll do anything about that."

Pinging occurs well after warm up even after 20mi of highway driving. I'm running 91 all the time now (truck drives better so I like it better and the price difference is hardly noticeable if you do the math.) Mine kicked up a little after 30,000mi and I really noticed it when I did my first oil change off of service and used Royal Purple full synth 5w-30 as per the manual.

 

Well, Took mine in today to have the TSB performed as a "goodwill" service as they labeled it. They performed it as graciously as I guess I could expect them to after I had to complain to even get this far. Instead of the 4hrs I waited last time to have nothing done, today took and and hour and 20 minutes with having TSB performed. They also placed the sticker under my had as well. Now onto the good part....NIGHT AND DAY difference, the truck is so much smoother and quieter in every regard I don't even feel like its the same truck. Shifts are smooth and engine power is up, Taco tick at idle and while driving has decreased vastly as well. Idle at stoplights is smooth as butter, I thought the truck wasn't even running. I will have to report back on the pinging once it warms up, supposed to get warm again next week here.

With how much better the truck acts now, makes me wonder if running it 37k miles before the TSB has caused any premature wear or damage to the engine. Toyota should be performing this TSB for all who apply, the truck should of came like this from the factory.

 

Hey just checking in on the thread...looks like continued good results from this TSB. I'm well over 3000 mile since it has been performed. So far my truck is running just like it did after the TSB. I'm still using 87 regular fuel.

 

Well its in the 70's here today and it has always pinged from 60* upward, truck is just as silent and smooth as can be. I have also noticed two other issues that the TSB has seemed to fix for me, 40-45 pulsating is gone and it doesn't bump me as hard when the a/c kicks on while sitting at a stoplight. Idle is also much improved with the a/c on as well.

 

At the dealership now to get mine done. Fingers crossed they do it and don't tell me it's normal.

 

Aaand they did the TSB. Truck drives GREAT now. So happy I got it done.

 

Getting the tsb done right now, had to pull some strings because they gave me the bs line of we have to replicate the problem.

 

And it's done. The truck drives a lot better, shifts smoother and idles better now

 

update since TSB: Traveled to the mtns with mine this weekend, put about 1,000miles on her. Pinging is still gone, used to be horrible going up the mtns. Fuel mileage is also up by 1mpg and highway smoothness is much better.

 

I gained about 1.5 mpg if I still use Cali 91 .5-1mpg if I use Cali 87. But no more knocking and the engine feels more alive

 

Hello again! I'm nearing 4,000 miles since having the TSB performed. I'm still using 87 regular unleaded fuel, and the truck is still running great with the pinging noises reduced by 98%. I think the engine/transmission ECU "re-learned" my driving style, and it doesn't drive quite as smooth as it did immediately after the TSB was performed. Even so, I do believe that it does drive/shift better than before the TSB was performed.

 

Here is my update. +1mpg in the city and almost +2mpg highway. No knocking, although I only run 87 and with about 1000lbs of stone in the back coming home from GA, I got a little detonation when flooring it to pass today, but apart from that I have put on about 4000 miles since the update and and really happy. My truck is running really smoothly and the shifting is a lot better. With cruise off, it will pretty much hold OD at around 2000rpm up most hills.
Anyway, for me this is the best thing that has happened to me Baja Taco since I picked it up...

 

ok thats it i need to get this TSB done.

 

It is worth it! My truck is a whole different vehicle now, my dealer was hesitant at first but I was persistent and they performed the TSB. Good luck!

 

One last note: with the stone in the bed, running 72->74 mph, I got 18.8mpg, which is really good for me.....

 

Hi Guys - Merry Christmas!

5000+ miles since my TSB was performed - still running nice and strong, without unnecessary pinging chirping clunking noises

Have a great new year!

 

I just hit a record best 19mpg 90% hwy 10% city on 91 winterblend California gas before the reflash I was lucky to get 17mpg