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FlexFuel Fuel Pump Issue?

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Scorpion006, May 4, 2023.

  1. May 4, 2023 at 9:48 AM
    #1
    Scorpion006

    Scorpion006 [OP] I'm athletic - I’m known to surf the web for hours

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    On my last visit to my local dealership, I mentioned my truck hesitated (or required more than one crank of the key) to start whenever it was really cold (snow on the ground) or when parked on a steep incline. My advisor stated this is a common issue with the FlexFuel versions of this truck and that they have to replace the Fuel pump to mitigate it. Advisor quoted me close to $1200 (I think) - to get that done. She did mention most people got this fixed under factory warranty, but since I didn't qualify I would have to pay out of pocket.

    Anyone else have similar issues? Any tricks to fix it cheaper?
     
  2. May 4, 2023 at 10:01 AM
    #2
    BTBAKER

    BTBAKER DIFFERENT NAME. SAME JUNK.

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    Yes. I had my pump replaced for free. It didn’t help.
    You need to have them reset your alcohol density. That is the problem.
    It’s a known issue and will happen pretty much annually. They did it to my 2017 6 times. It works but will return.
    My dealer did it free but said most dealers charge up to 250 to have it done.
    Toyota is well aware of it and has no solution. In fact, my dealer said Toyota has said they are done addressing and are on to the new GEN.
    I wanted to get a class action going but I dumped it.
    There are products that you can purchase to reset the alcohol density. If you plan to keep the truck you may want to look into it.
     
    AZBoatHauler and Skew12 like this.
  3. May 4, 2023 at 10:05 AM
    #3
    Scorpion006

    Scorpion006 [OP] I'm athletic - I’m known to surf the web for hours

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    That's great information.... Thanks!

    How do you reset alcohol density? What product/tool is it? Is this like a ECU Flash or something completely different?
     
    BTBAKER[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. May 4, 2023 at 10:09 AM
    #4
    BTBAKER

    BTBAKER DIFFERENT NAME. SAME JUNK.

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    I’m not an expert at that since they were doing it for free but I do believe you need some software to be able to talk to the truck and change the density. Someone who has gone that route will hopefully chime in. I do believe the investment is maybe 500 bucks or more but don’t quote me on that.
    I do know that is your issue. You may want to call Toyota. They should cover your pump and the ECU issue.
     
  5. May 4, 2023 at 10:26 AM
    #5
    Rodtheviking

    Rodtheviking New Member

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  6. May 4, 2023 at 11:04 AM
    #6
    MEWaters

    MEWaters New Member

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    If you find the right tech, can’t they disable it with the tech stream?
     
  7. May 4, 2023 at 11:23 AM
    #7
    Scorpion006

    Scorpion006 [OP] I'm athletic - I’m known to surf the web for hours

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    They won't cover the fuel pump as it's outside the warranty time frame - unless it was extended? The class action would have been great - considering it seems to have affected all FlexFuel engines and it's a known problem to most advisors.
     
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  8. May 4, 2023 at 11:26 AM
    #8
    Scorpion006

    Scorpion006 [OP] I'm athletic - I’m known to surf the web for hours

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    I'm not sure I follow - how would a tune address alcohol density or possible a fuel pump issue?
     
  9. May 4, 2023 at 11:27 AM
    #9
    Scorpion006

    Scorpion006 [OP] I'm athletic - I’m known to surf the web for hours

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    I'm sorry - I don't even know what Tech Stream is... :confused:
     
  10. May 4, 2023 at 11:42 AM
    #10
    AZBoatHauler

    AZBoatHauler SSEM#140/ASCM#3/2ndGenNaysayer/BAF140

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    It’s a software program and interfaces with the computers on the truck. I purchased a windows laptop and hacked version of TechStream so I could reset the alcohol density after experiencing hard start in cold weather and rich fuel smell on startup.


    Once you get Techstream working, it takes about 2 minutes to connect the truck and reset the alcohol density to 0. That seems to fix this issue.

    Coincidently, the truck computer logged the hard start in its system and was visible in TechStream but it didn’t trigger a CEL.
     
  11. May 4, 2023 at 12:02 PM
    #11
    Scorpion006

    Scorpion006 [OP] I'm athletic - I’m known to surf the web for hours

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    I may bother you to get a copy of said "hacked version of TechStream" - to try on my own Truck. If it is simple enough I'm sure I can do it too.
     
  12. May 4, 2023 at 12:20 PM
    #12
    AZBoatHauler

    AZBoatHauler SSEM#140/ASCM#3/2ndGenNaysayer/BAF140

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    Biggest hurdle I’ve encountered - they usually only work on Windows XP or Windows 10 64bit OS.
     
  13. May 4, 2023 at 9:51 PM
    #13
    Rodtheviking

    Rodtheviking New Member

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    I said they MIGHT be able to. I'll let you know, I'm getting mine tuned very soon and I have Flex fuel with the long crank. I'll see if they can reset fuel density or even just disable it as I don't ever use E85.
     
    Skew12 likes this.
  14. May 4, 2023 at 10:30 PM
    #14
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    Read through here and check to see if you're on the recall list. If it's a recall it will cost you nothing.

    https://www.cartalk.com/car-owning/denso-fuel-pump-recall
     
  15. May 5, 2023 at 7:23 AM
    #15
    Scorpion006

    Scorpion006 [OP] I'm athletic - I’m known to surf the web for hours

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    Cool thanks - will be waiting to hear back from you!
     
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  16. May 5, 2023 at 7:27 AM
    #16
    Scorpion006

    Scorpion006 [OP] I'm athletic - I’m known to surf the web for hours

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    Thanks for that - I just checked it, but unfortunately my VIN doesn't have any qualifying recalls...
     
  17. May 5, 2023 at 9:02 AM
    #17
    BTBAKER

    BTBAKER DIFFERENT NAME. SAME JUNK.

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    Mine didn’t either but they knew bad pumps were in other years so they changed it free.
     
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  18. May 6, 2023 at 5:10 AM
    #18
    dt325ic

    dt325ic Member

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  19. May 6, 2023 at 10:24 AM
    #19
    Scorpion006

    Scorpion006 [OP] I'm athletic - I’m known to surf the web for hours

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    I'll ask my advisor if she can hook it up... doubtful, but you never know...
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2023
  20. May 6, 2023 at 3:57 PM
    #20
    Rodtheviking

    Rodtheviking New Member

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    Got my tune, however I was told only Techstream can reset the fuel pump.
     
  21. May 6, 2023 at 7:47 PM
    #21
    Scorpion006

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    Well... so much for that idea
     
  22. May 8, 2023 at 10:46 AM
    #22
    BrandonL812

    BrandonL812 New Member

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    how often would you say you’d need to reset it?
     
  23. May 8, 2023 at 11:07 AM
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    AZBoatHauler

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    So far - once. I’ve seen some people on here who have had to do it a handful of times. Seems to be triggered by cold weather / startups at or near freezing temps.
     
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  24. May 8, 2023 at 11:13 AM
    #24
    Scorpion006

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    Cold weather definitely affects my startups... then inclines... and lastly if I leave it standing (not running) for like a month...
     
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  25. May 8, 2023 at 12:00 PM
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    alanc3

    alanc3 New Member

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    I'm having a bit of the same issue with my truck. My truck is a 2015 and I've had it for almost three years now. My truck is having issues starting, I'll often times have to feather the gas to get it going. Dealership said it's an issue with the fuel alcohol ratio and I need a new fuel pump before they can recalibrate the ECU. This was back in January. I've been waiting on a fuel pump for 5 months. They told me it would likely be until June before they get one in. The dealership told me that they "Highly recommend not using an aftermarket fuel pump". Does anybody have an aftermarket fuel pump in their truck? If so, which one and how is the truck running? Any advice would be great!
     
  26. May 8, 2023 at 12:11 PM
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    dt325ic

    dt325ic Member

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    The Delphi pump (check rockauto.com) is supposedly OE on flex fuel trucks. Which model depends on your fuel tank size.

    FG1624 - 26 gallon tank
    FG2148 - 38 gallon tank
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2023
  27. May 8, 2023 at 12:38 PM
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    BrandonL812

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    I’ll give it a shot this weekend when he comes over for an oil change. Hopefully we only have to do it one time.
     
  28. May 10, 2023 at 6:31 AM
    #28
    BrandonL812

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    A little update on this. Just spoke with local dealership and the advisor is well aware of this issue. He said toyota will cover it under the 8yrs/80,000miles. They will need to prove it to Toyota first. Once that is completed and gotten approved by Toyota. They will do the fuel pump and ecm software update, which would cost $1200 if you are outside the coverage. Currently there is a 1500+ fuel pump on backorder. So the wait will be a while.
    You will be out the diagnostic fee ($122 here). But if you get it approved with Toyota, you won’t be out another $1200 for pump and ecm update. So we set an appointment for next Monday to have it look at.
     
  29. May 10, 2023 at 8:09 AM
    #29
    Scorpion006

    Scorpion006 [OP] I'm athletic - I’m known to surf the web for hours

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    Unfortunately - I well outside the 8year / 80K... :( by about 100K
     
  30. May 10, 2023 at 8:15 AM
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    CTundraForMe

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    I have a 2015 FFV, have had it for 2 years, and have yet to experience this issue. However, because of where I live and my lifestyle, it's very rare, if ever, that I start it at freezing temps.

    I had a conversation with a family member who's a Toyota master mechanic about this. He believes the underlying issue is the fuel pump, and the "alcohol density" indicator is a symptom of the problem, but not the problem.
     

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