Reset Flex Fuel Alcohol/Ethanol Percentage Level with Bidirectional Scan Tool

Nice. I'll be following. My background in all this won't help much but I'm rooting for you.

 

I ordered the Launch 431x Elite from Amazon while it was on sale. Weird thing I noticed before opening it (so I stopped and didn’t open) is that it says “Creader Elite T”
instead of “Elite Toyota”. Should I be concerned?

 

Connect it to your truck and see if it reads/functions. If not contact the seller.

 

Anyone with the launch tool have to wait a ridiculous long time for everything to connect? I lost patience after 15mins of waiting.

 

If I use home WiFi it takes longer than using my hotspot inside the truck

 

It won’t recognize my phone hotspot. And I had plenty of WiFi. I was talking connecting to the truck. It was taking forever trying to scan it and connect to it. One point the auto detect failed and I had to manually key in the vin.

 

I had the exact same issue when I was using my home WiFi, for some reason it was much faster with my hotspot. I can’t explain why it’s different unless the Chinese are hacking my car

 

I just received my OTOFIX Lite scanner (made by Autel) and just reset my flex fuel value to zero. Here's the steps for getting it done:

Run Auto Scan. After scan is complete, you will get a System List. First on the list is "Engine and ECT". Tap the arrow at the right.

Tap OK when the info screen shows and you will see the Function Menu. Tap the "Special Function" button.

At the Special Function section, tap the button labeled "Fuel density learning value reset".

After the reset is done, go back to the Function Menu and tap the Live Data button. Scroll to "Alcohol concentration estimate" to verify that the value is set to zero.

 

Have a 2016. Did this to me under warranty back in the day. Had the TSB done, fuel pump replaced, etc. Took Toyota a good 3 days to figure out it was the alcohol/ethanol sensor stating it was at 85%. They did a reset and told me there was no promise it might not happen again. Went until this month, now out of warranty, until I noticed the truck starting to feel underpowered and doing the soft-start routine where it doesn't roar to life, but kind of slowly comes alive. Debated buying one of these 300 dollar+ gadgets from this thread. But then I thought... this is a sensor, which means it's taking readings from time to time. Also, I'm betting if I change how I'm driving it might correct itself (I tend to baby my truck). So I spent the last couple days hitting the Tow Haul button, gunning it off the line, etc. It's now corrected itself. It cost me zero dollars. The power is back. The cold starts roar back to life. I didn't even put in different gas.

Maybe others could give this a try and see if they have the same experience I just did. Feels like I just saved myself $300 dollars and all i really did was retrain the ECU on how I drive the truck the last few days.

 

With that device, can you reset fuel trim separate from alcohol % reset?

 

Off topic slightly, for those with the CReader Elite 431 Toyota tool, have you programmed new key or fob with it? I know some tools need extra part to do keys and some don't. If it can do a new key for my 2nd gen Sequoia, tool will pay for itself over dealer price for key programming.

 

I just bought the Creader Elite T for my 2016 Sequoia. My fuel type reads ETH is this normal? I always put in 87 octane or above in it as did the PO.

 

I didn’t get the Foxwell like you did, I got the Launch 431. But wanted to ask you if you wouldn’t mind detailing the relearn procedure you’re talking about. I’m sitting in my truck doing the updates now and want to make sure I do this right after I’ve reset the alcohol content. Thank you.

 

From the service manual:


NOTICE:
Add fuel immediately after resetting. (Do not start the engine before adding fuel.)
HINT:
Learning of the alcohol concentration will not be started until the ECM judges that the fuel gauge has
moved after resetting. Add at least 8 liters (2 gallons) of fuel.
(r)Start the engine and warm it up until the engine coolant temperature is 75°C (167°F) or higher with all
the accessories switched off.
(s) With the engine warmed up, idle the engine for 2 minutes or more.
(t) Drive the vehicle at a speed between 60 and 120 km/h (37 and 75 mph) and at an engine speed of
between 1400 and 3200 rpm for 5 minutes or more.
CAUTION:
When performing the confirmation driving pattern, obey all speed limits and traffic laws.
(u) Stop the vehicle.
(v) Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine and ECT / Data List / Flexible Fuel Vehicle / Alcohol
Density Learning.
(w) Make sure that the Data List item "Alcohol Density Learning" is "Compl".
HINT:
If "Incmpl" is displayed, perform the confirmation driving pattern again.

 

Thank you so much!! I was able to get the density reset but forgot that I had to do another procedure to see where it was at first. Really hate that I missed that step, I just wanted to know where it was at before. I appreciate the quick response!

 

I have a 2019 sequoia and for the first time today it cranked and would not start. Stopped trying for a second and it started right up. No issue since. Found the recall for the fuel pump, called the dealer and they said it had been replaced in 2020 (no warranty left).

So my question is does this fuel density reset apply to a non-flex fuel engine?

The dealer said this was probably related to it seeing a high alcohol density; so to me it sounds like the same kinda thing. He said they could diagnose and know right away if it was the fuel pump and if it was i was looking at $12-1600. After reading this thread I went ahead and ordered a few bi-directional tools suggested in this thread and will keep the one i like the best.

 

Heads up on the Amazon Prime Big Deal price:

 

I keep looking at these and was just looking again last night. This price might just temp me to take the plunge. Are others that bought this finding it very useful? I’m not having any high ethanol readings at the moment, but this looks to have many more uses beyond just that.

 

I've only used it to reset fuel trims and check on some codes so I can't say firsthand. I will say that it can't kill your annoying seatbelt chime though!

 

Just placed my order for one. Might as well do it now while it’s on sale. Thanks for the heads up.

 

After a bit of a delay my Launch X431 CRP919E Elite arrived. I tried to contact the seller on Amazon, but it looks like I don't have the option to do that for some reason. I'm being told if there is an issue it needs to go through Amazon for a refund or at least that's what the new amazon AI bot tells me. Not sure if this is a common theme or not, but the OBD2 cable that came with it is deformed a bit on the end that would connect to the truck. It appears to be made of a flexible rubber type material. My guess is the cable that is wound up with a twist tie pinched against the end of the cable inside the storage case. I was hoping to see if I could exchange the cable for another one from the seller. I don't want to deal with returning it and possibly getting another one just like it. I tried to persuade the rubber a bit which made it a little better. Anyways, I found a replacement cable from eBay that looks like it has a hard plastic formed end which would eliminate any deformity so I ordered one of those for about $30 which should arrive in a couple days. I also searched and picked up a screen protector for the X431, but that had it's own issues. It claims it's for the X431, but the screen protector is too small. I see others that posted the same comments under the reviews...I should have read those first. If anyone has found a screen protector that fits please let me know. Played around with it a bit and am pretty impressed by all of the functionality this little unit can do.

 

Would it have to be the elite or would the “lite” one be capable of fixing this as well?

 

100% worked. Thank you OP for the great advise. Runs like brand new

 

Recently bought Xtool D7 for this. Worked great. Thanks for sharing.

if anyone in the Dayton area needs to use, just reach out.

 

on sale for $325.

$419 XTOOL D7 OBD2 Scanner Bidirectional Scan Tool, 2025 Scanner for Car, FCA Autoauth, CANFD/DoIP, 36+ Resets, Active Tests, All System Diagnosis, Crank Sensor Relearn, ECU Coding, 3 Years Updates

https://www.amazon.com/XTOOL-D7-Aut...lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM

 

Thank you all for this thread.

2018 FFV Crew Max. Began to have the long cranking issues in cold weather. It would sometimes time out and not crank. A second attempt would also be a long crank but it would usually start and then run fine.

I bought the below Autel MK808S scanner and used it to read that the alcohol density level was 65%. I reset it and it has been perfect. Cranks immediately on cold mornings. I also programmed a key successfully.

Limited-time deal: Autel Scanner MaxiCOM MK808S: 2024 Bidirectional Tool as MK808BT Pro MX808S M808Z, Function as MaxiCheck MX900, 28+ Service, Active Test, All System Diagnose, Injector Coding, FCA Autoauth Android 11

$479 Autel Scanner MaxiCOM MK808S: 2025 Bidirectional Tool as MK808BT Pro MX808S M808Z, Function as MaxiCheck MX900, 28+ Service, Active Test, All System Diagnose, Injector Coding, FCA Autoauth Android 11

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0744B55QV

 

I am having to reset mine constantly now in this colder weather, should I get my ECM updated or a new fuel pump?

 

For my 2015 Sequoia that kept going up soon after reset, I had wondered too if you could get ecm flash at dealer without new fuel pump.
Sold sequoia though so never checked into it.

 

Thank ya'll for this thread. I have a 2018 Flex Fuel 1794...I ordered the Autel MK808s

$479 Autel Scanner MaxiCOM MK808S: 2025 Bidirectional Tool as MK808BT Pro MX808S M808Z, Function as MaxiCheck MX900, 28+ Service, Active Test, All System Diagnose, Injector Coding, FCA Autoauth Android 11

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0744B55QV?smid=A3MNQOSQ336D3K
After running the Autel Updates, I connected to the truck and performed the "fuel density learning value reset" in the "Special functions" section which took my Fuel Density setting back to 0 from approximately 80. This morning it is cold here and the truck started perfectly (which hasn't happened in over a year). I'd highly recommend this for anyone having the long start issue...thanks to all on this thread who contributed to this resolution!

 

I don’t think there is an ECM fix. People on here have suffered the same issue with a new fuel pump. There is some speculation fresh 02 sensors may help resolve this problem as they are used to calculate the ethanol % but nothing confirmed.