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FFV problems!!!!

Discussion in '2nd Gen Tundras (2007-2013)' started by fouronereason71, May 14, 2015.

  1. May 14, 2015 at 7:52 AM
    #1
    fouronereason71

    fouronereason71 [OP] New Member

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    I have taken my truck to the dealership twice now for scheduled maintenance and after both times within about 300 miles I start getting the same symptoms as an owner of a 2012-13 with flex fuel gets, hard start and spitting and sputtering under load. I believe its a big coincidence because the dealer is about an hour away and we usually fill up at a station that we normally dont. The first time it happened I took it in and they said a PVC hose had "come off" and charged me $99. The 2nd time I WAS HOT, took it back and test drove it with the tech to replicate the missing under load, he hooked up his scantool and the alcohol % was 41. He reset it and now its fine, for now. My research on line leads me to believe I'm having the same issues but toyota wont fix it because its a 2011. Couple questions, #1 How did he reset the alcohol density, is it something I can do? #2 Can the 2012-14 reflash be done on mine 2011? The dealership wants me to pay $900 for a new fuel pump but I really dont see that being the problem if every dang gone FFV is having the issues and a reflash will fix it. Thanks
     
  2. May 14, 2015 at 8:27 AM
    #2
    Mike

    Mike Tread lightly.

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    south carolina
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    2003 tundra sr5 4x4 stepside....
    yep bank account is running low from it..
    First thing is first here are using solely e85? if you are QUIT using it. With the 41% mix your having major problems and i dont blame the Ecm..

    Course of action here is quit using e85 go back to 87 ron fuel .. Where you live at they have no idea what they are doing with e85 at the terminals (trust me i know).

    for your questions now

    1: all you can do is disconnect the battery for about 10 mins. touch the + and - together for about 10 seconds so the caps drain and ecm is set back to factory. The ecm must relearn idle all over again.

    2: Reflashing toyota ecms is like pulling teeth from someone who doesn't have teeth. unless the stock numbers are the same from the 2011 to the 2012 your wasting your time. trust me.

    your dealer wants to replace the pump because the sensor for ffv is in the tank that tells the ecm if has e85 in the tank. That sensor can go bad tho i have never seen one go out.

    All that said go back to using normal fuel 87 thru 93 what ever you like and stay away from yellow fuel see if it clears up first.
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2015
  3. May 14, 2015 at 8:42 AM
    #3
    Tonka007

    Tonka007 New Member

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    Man, that's what I call knowledge....I feel even better about this forum now
     
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  4. May 14, 2015 at 8:57 AM
    #4
    fouronereason71

    fouronereason71 [OP] New Member

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    I'm sorry I should of put that in there, I only run 91 octane, and usually from the same gas station but maybe once a month we travel up to the big city for groceries, lol. How would anybody know if the numbers were the same for the pcm's, from my experience with the dealer here they are over paid lube tech's so any info from them is non existent. Ive researched the heck out of the internet only to find a whole lot on the 2012 and up models. Is the alcohol density sensor pat of the fuel pump?
     
  5. May 14, 2015 at 9:12 AM
    #5
    Mike

    Mike Tread lightly.

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    yep bank account is running low from it..
    If your only running 91 octane or ron and NO E85 and your having that kind of alcohol density problem two things here come to mind off the top of my head. One bad fuel in the tanks below ground ( it does happen) change fuel stations there tanks may have something wrong under ground. Two FFV sensor has failed some how and giving the Ecm false information. Yes the FFV sensor is right beside the fuel pump in the tank.

    Now to check the ecms for year all you have to do is call dealer ask them if the part numbers are the same from 2011 to 2012. I have a feeling they are NOT. Dealer might be able to tell you if you can use a 2012 ecm in a 2011. some trucks you can like in my tacoma for example its a 95.5 but i can use a 97 ecm so i can put a supercharger on it.
     
  6. May 14, 2015 at 9:22 AM
    #6
    fouronereason71

    fouronereason71 [OP] New Member

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    Thank you very much, my thought was that one gas station we get gas from once a month or less was causing the problems because we'd get gas there then go get the oil changed and then start having problems. I will call the dealership and find out if the pcm's are the same. I love my truck but dont want a sour taste in my mouth over this, thanks again!!!!
     
  7. Jan 9, 2016 at 6:39 AM
    #7
    Miguel.mejia2

    Miguel.mejia2 My Earth Mover!!!

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    Hi guys am new to this forum, i been doing alot of digging but maybe over thinking as well. I can say I just experienced the alcohol density problem on my 2015 Tundra. Very very disappointed on the way it was starting. Dealer Forman Technician had a good conversation with me about the flex fuel system in the Tundra. He stated after completely filing up with gas and hitting the road it is best not to jump on that pedal. Mind you I told him I dont do that. Anywho he said after taking off from fueling allow 15 mins of normal driving to give the flex fuel alcohol density sensor to calibrate. That's after every fill up, he stated that I should not have that issue happened again. After he cleared what he saw was 87 alcohol density reading when it should have been at zero. They did set it back to the normal state.

    Am really hoping this issue doesn't happened again. But I was thinking I had a bad fill up just can't remember were. Good news is my truck did start saving more gas after he reprogrammed my truck to normal state and feels real solid. Is anyone else having theses issues with a new 2015 Tundra?
     
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  8. Jan 9, 2016 at 7:46 AM
    #8
    Fitz19d

    Fitz19d New Member

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    Some other more recent threads here or on tundratalk, its been an issue for years. There's a more recent flash/service bulletinends in 600 that's supposed to work pretty well for most so far. I had bad start and kinda sluggish lack of power for a bit, but last week even at 15degrees been fine. So intermittent for me, prompt have alcohol reading high but not enough to notice. But under warranty so will get it done at my next service.
     
  9. Jan 10, 2016 at 10:47 AM
    #9
    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck Dumbest Username

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    The new program ending in 600 will fix all of your ffv woes.
     
  10. Jan 10, 2016 at 11:01 AM
    #10
    KCDuran

    KCDuran New Member

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    Stupid question.. Sorry about your frustrations OP... but our trucks will say flex fuel right? It's just not a given..
     
  11. Jan 10, 2016 at 11:16 AM
    #11
    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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    Two ways to tell, one is the gas cap will say E85 and the second is the fifth letter in the VIN. If it's a W it is a FFV.
     
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  12. Jan 10, 2016 at 11:31 AM
    #12
    KCDuran

    KCDuran New Member

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    :yay:not me ... haha thanks for the info davis!
     
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  13. Feb 9, 2016 at 1:30 PM
    #13
    pdrhound

    pdrhound New Member

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    so i have a FFV bought 3 days ago. runs fine with 4000 miles. do i need to run to the dealer and get a fix, or think about it if i have a problem? Is it just a computer programming difference. I will never use E85 but we see 10% here all winter long. hits my tacoma for about 7% decrease in MPG
     
  14. Feb 9, 2016 at 4:55 PM
    #14
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    TuwaPro rack, Z1 Offroad stuff, NISMO suspension stuff, FlowmasterFX Extreme exhaust, AIS, OVS, J&L can, other goodies on the way
    Your Tundra has a 5.7L with 381 hp stock and weighs a couple more pounds than a Taco and 4.3 :1 rear gears. Should be no surprise. Your are lucky to have only a 7% decrease in mpg. (But you have a 100% increase in awesomeness.) I like the trade off.
     
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  15. Feb 9, 2016 at 6:46 PM
    #15
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    You can call the dealer, provide them ur VIN# and they can see if there's an flash update for it.
     
  16. Sep 9, 2018 at 3:06 PM
    #16
    Snipe06

    Snipe06 New Member

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    Well in my case my 2012 is doing the same: slow starts and rough starts sometimes. I have an appointment with the dealership sometime next week and I printed the TSb to see if they can fix it. The slow starts have been so bad that sometimes the secondary air pumps don't even cycle. Not check engine lights or even Xmas lights in the dash yet. Hopefully this dealership in Fairbanks, AK can reflash it with no complaints before I have to call Corporate.
     
  17. Sep 16, 2019 at 11:47 PM
    #17
    CaptainJohnnySR5

    CaptainJohnnySR5 Tundra Lifer Now!

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    I am totally addicted to Tundra Life now!
    Update? Just bought a 2017 FFV from Little Rock Arkansas and I swear this Tundra has a hidden curse!
     
  18. Sep 16, 2019 at 11:48 PM
    #18
    CaptainJohnnySR5

    CaptainJohnnySR5 Tundra Lifer Now!

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    I am totally addicted to Tundra Life now!
    Any updates from anyone on here????
     
  19. Sep 19, 2019 at 6:05 PM
    #19
    Wyatts2012nightmare

    Wyatts2012nightmare New Member

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    I’ve got the same problems, slow start, occasionally rough idle, surging.
    I bought a new fuel pump but it is for the 5.7 non-FFV version, cost about $310, I pulled the tank before I realized I had the wrong pump.
    Can I remove all the FFV crap and use the pump I have?
     
  20. Sep 19, 2019 at 6:11 PM
    #20
    Mike

    Mike Tread lightly.

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    yep bank account is running low from it..
    No you will get error codes.. the ffv computer will not see the sensors give a cel or worse limp mode..

    Edit e85 fuel pump has a high rating of gpm than non e85
     
  21. Dec 4, 2019 at 9:01 AM
    #21
    kgordon96

    kgordon96 New Member

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    How has your 2015 been running. Any more problems since this post?
     
  22. Dec 4, 2019 at 9:50 AM
    #22
    Luckydog

    Luckydog New Member

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    I have a 2015 that first got the issue of slow starting a couple days ago: I have an appt at dealer today. I will report back what they find.
     
  23. Dec 4, 2019 at 12:47 PM
    #23
    kgordon96

    kgordon96 New Member

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    I have a 2nd appointment with the dealer tomorrow. SMH
     
  24. Dec 4, 2019 at 8:02 PM
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    Writer

    Writer New Member

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    Lol I just had a Tundra to a dealer for this. They said it needed an ECM update.
    Quoted me $430.
    I already approved them diagnostic time so they ripped me off for that but Im taking it to a different dealer...for leas than $100 total.
    When I called out the scumbag writer.."oh its an really long update."
     
  25. Dec 4, 2019 at 9:23 PM
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    Yakfishin

    Yakfishin New Member

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    Hi all...new member here. Thank you for all of the great information on this forum!
    I was having the same starting issues with my 2015 Tundra Limited TRD Doublecab (45,000 miles on it). Took it to the local Toyota dealer here in MN (yesterday...they kept it over night to witness the cold start) and they performed the reset. I had just filled up the gas tank (have always used 91 octane) but they said that they needed to drain 5 gallons of gas in order to re-add 5 gal. of their gas(?)...wanted to charge me $140 for this little exercise. That didn’t sit well with me so let’s just say I was less than kind to the service guy. In the end, the sensor was covered under an 80k mile warranty and there was no charge for the service. A bit disappointing on a truck with only 45K miles.
     
  26. Dec 4, 2019 at 9:27 PM
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    Writer

    Writer New Member

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    I just got quoted $430...

    Everywhere else quoted me about around 1-150. At an hour of labor plus gas I think thats fair. Time to diagnose if thats what you wnat to do etc.
     
  27. Dec 5, 2019 at 6:06 AM
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    Luckydog

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    Update. Gulf coast Toyota found that alcohol sensor was reading high. They flashed the computer, and checked psi of fuel pump. At 55psi. I think 53 psi needs replacing. They were not trying to sell me new pump, just to keep an eye on it. Total cost was just diagnostic fee of $145. It was a good experience at Gulf Coast Toyota.
     
  28. Dec 5, 2019 at 6:58 AM
    #28
    TundraMcGov.

    TundraMcGov. Your friend. Your foe. Not yo Ho.

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  29. Dec 5, 2019 at 6:51 PM
    #29
    kgordon96

    kgordon96 New Member

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    I just heard from my dealer. They admitted to doing 1 part of the TSB but not the other. ( I assume he did the flash and not the relearn or vise versa. ) If he didn’t do both parts at the same time will this still cause me issues? Starting to think I need a new dealer servicing my vehicles. SMH.
     
  30. Dec 9, 2019 at 4:32 AM
    #30
    Jeffro22

    Jeffro22 New Member

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    How can the alcohol reading be checked? Is there software or a scanner to do this on your own without taking to the dealer?
     

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