Updating ECU for non qualifying VIN?

Sorry if this has already been covered deep in an OVTune thread, I couldn’t find it if so.

My truck had the symptoms for the Updated ECU flash TSB but doesn’t have a qualifying VIN so dealership won’t give me the new ECU flash. should I update the ECU myself or will the new ECU version be bad for my non qualifying truck?
I will ask Toyota too, but they always try to sell me a 2021 Tacoma.

 

Your best bet is to check your calibration ID and see if it is listed in the TSB with an updated version.

Jeff

 

It’s a 2018 OR AT. Whenever I mention it at dealership they just say mine wasn’t within the VIN range for them to do it under warranty. So before I risk bricking my Ecu with techstream figured I’d see if it’s even worth the risk. Or even detrimental.

 

Good point. It definitely is. Let me go argue with my dealership about VIN versus current calibration and fend off purchasing a 21’.

 

If you're a 2018 AT with 04A60, then the 04A61 flash will certainly work for you. It looks like there is some confusion on the TSB VIN ranges. In the TSB-0092-20 thread, a bunch of 2018 folks say that their VIN is included on that TSB when it definitely does not apply to them.

 

Or just pay to have them do it, I find the 19's rarely need the update, but most 18's take it.

If you PM your vin I can look into it for you.

 

That interesting. I believe the factory tunes were only 04B30 and 04B31 (AT) and 04B40 and 04B41 (MT). The current AT tune from the TSB is 04B33, so that should apply to all 2019s. The MT TSB just dropped with 04B42, so that should apply to all also.

I've flashed five 2019 ATs, which are all that I have come across. I have one 2019 MT that I need to catch up with. Also updated six 2018s.

 

I recently hooked up my 2018 OR AT to Tech stream expecting to update to 04A61 before applying a tune for the first time and found that 04A61 was already installed. Not sure if it came from the factory like that or if it was updated without my knowledge at some point. Its pretty safe and easy to go into tech stream and just read your current calibration ID.

 

after trying to talk to the dealership and Toyota directly I wasn’t able to confirm anything... It’s actually kind of scary how little they seem to know about any of this stuff. So, I’m going to try to update the ECU myself with the Taxtrix cable from OVTune through techstream. I’m assuming I need the Texhstream pro subscription. Any other tips or tricks to avoid bricking my truck when I flash the new ECu with tech stream?

 

04A61 was released as a TSB right at the end of the MY run. I don't think it or 04A71 (MTs) came from the factory on that calibration?

TSB-0052-18 came out around July 2018 and TSB-0062-18 around a few days later.

 

You get the most powerful activation (key programming) with the download in my signature or in the 1st Post of the ECU Update thread. Both are linked below.

 

I bought my truck in August 2018 so maybe the dealer updated before I bought it? Is it possible to look at update history?

 

That would be one excellent dealer.

You can't see an update history, but with TS, you can see the time and mileage from the last DTC reset. If you never did one or pulled the battery terminals, it would tell you. Otherwise, you can see the Service History at toyota.com in the Owner menu.

 

Just looked at the TSB, and it doesn't contain a VIN range. How are they determining that it doesn't apply to your VIN?

As far as I can tell, all the TSB applies to all 2018's, there was only one calibration used from the factory (8966304A6000) for 2018's.

Jeff

 

To the OP; and to your question. Use the cable you have and download version 14 from the link Mr. Tonered referenced (in his signature line). Once you launch it you will get a nag about number of times remaining. Click and move on. Plug your lapper into the OSB port, launch the application (TechStream) and use the menu(s) there to read your ECU ID. You will find it with two zeros succeeding the four digit identification. Done deal.

At that point, you are merely reading the ECU...no flashing involved.

If it is not up to date, then use further instructions as provided, (importantly) preparation of TS and your file folder allocation, and flash your ECU. Reset the values for learning and drive it a few miles for it to re-learn the flash. You will be pleasantly pleased.

 

Thanks for the tip on the service history. I looked it up on the site and was reminded I had recall service for the millimeter wave radar sensor which included a software update. That must have been it.

OP, did your 2018 have that recall?

 

I’ve got a 2019 MT that I think is on 04B41…?
Does anyone know what the TSB for the 04B42 update was?
My truck has recently started running oddly at random times and I’m going to reset adaptations and would like to see if I can update to the newest calibration also.
Thanks,

 

If you are doing it yourself, the TSB doesn't matter, just grab the CUW file from here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/ecu-tsb-update.562550/​

 

Thanks, I thought I might try to get the dealer to do it. I’m in between laptops right now.

 

Ah! Grab the TSB referenced in that chart and whip it out at the dealer, if you need to.