2022+ Tundra Front Active Spoiler Solutions

Working on creating a solution or getting the info straight as far as Front Active Spoiler error messages on the dash. Currently testing on a 2023 1794 Tundra with the front active spoiler.

Tested Information:

The truck currently has the active front spoiler and active grill shutter system deleted with no codes on the dash. Initially the Active Front Spoiler module was separated from motor by pulling a part the motor plastic housing and removing the circuit board. When connected back to the harness with no motor attached to the circuit board it resulted in no CEL(check engine light) but a notification on the dash that it had a malfunction. Clearing the fault with an Autel works until you put it back into drive and then you are met with another notification on the dash but no CEL. I then completely disconnected the module from the harness and left the harness empty. This resulted in no notification on the dash and when scanned with an Autel unit the module shows "no response" so impossible to have a fault. Other modules that are not equipped on this model, i.e. active suspension, show the same "no response" when the module is scanned. Driving down the road with multiple power cycles and speeds changing from above 40mph to below 35mph with no notifications on the dash since the module was removed completely.

Once the active front spoiler notification was stopped I then was met with a CEL and notification for the active grill shutters since I had the module removed from the shutter assembly but still attached to the vehicles harness. Autel Fault Code Message "Grill Shutter Mechanical Linkage Failure". Removing the grill shutter motor completely results in a different fault message "Grill Shutter Motor Missing". To achieve no error or CEL a cheat device was needed to prevent the active grill shutter motor from over rotating in either direction when the system does a self check on start up. With the device installed there is no longer a CEL or fault for the grill shutters and no fault for the disconnected active front spoiler module.

Needed Information:

CBI makes a delete module for the Tundra that should stop the notification from showing up on the dash when deleted but in my case there was no error on the dash when the module was removed. I did see a Technical Service Bulletin(Toyota TSB #T-SB-0011-22) was released March 2, 2022 for Active Front Spoiler(EDITED: Active Front Grill Shutter) faults on stock trucks. My thinking now is that Toyota has updated the ECU modules for 2023+ trucks to no longer provide a notification on the dash since it never resulted in a TRUE Check Engine Light.

To prove this theory and hopefully save people time and money when deleting their Active Front Spoiler I need a some tests done on some specific vehicles.

2022 Tundra with an Active Front Spoiler and haven't had the Technical Service Bulletin update performed. Please disconnect your front valance harness from the housing located in front of the radiator behind the grill. ***Expected result would be a notification on the dash expressing an error related to the Active Front Spoiler***

2022 Tundra with an Active Front Spoiler and HAD the Technical Service Bulletin update performed. Please disconnect your front valance harness from the housing located in front of the radiator behind the grill. ***Expected result would be NO notification on the dash expressing an error related to the Active Front Spoiler and normal operation with the module disconnected***

2023+ Tundra with an Active Front Spoiler. Please disconnect your front valance harness from the housing located in front of the radiator behind the grill. ***Expected result would be NO notification on the dash expressing an error related to the Active Front Spoiler and normal operation with the module disconnected*** MY CURRENT SITUATION AND TESTED INFO

Any feedback is appreciated and will help solve the annoying problems that come with modifying the front of these new trucks equipped with the Active Front Spoiler and Active Grill Shutters.

 

@ryanwgregg thanks for the fix on the TSB. Appreciate the shared info and correct the Grill Shutter Motor will always result in a CEL when disconnected, I had to design a 3D printed stopper to prevent over rotation(CEL) when removed from the actual shutter assembly. Now sits zip tied out of the way with the shutter assembly removed and no CEL. Hoping to see some other 2023 truck owners with the same results as I found with the disconnected front spoiler system.

 

I disconnected the active spoiler on my 2023 1794. No errors on dash but I did not drive it yet, just started the engine in the driveway. Let me know if you need more info.

 

Ugh, this is one of the advanced features I dont like about the truck.
Why? Just one of those type of things to eventually break and cost a small fortune to fix.

 

@DRP Getting up to speed and driving it with the connecter disconnected would be the final test to see if a notification shows up on the dash. When I tested with the module attached to the harness but disconnect from the motor I didn't receive a CEL until the vehicle was in drive and got above 10 MPH. Thanks for the reply and the info is appreciated.

 

Well, got up to 70mph and the front bearing went bad, radio knob fell off, plastic thingy on the side of the drivers seat cracked, all sorts of wind noise started happening, and the A/C quit blowing..... Oh, wait a sec, that was just a nightmare from reading stuff on this forum.

70 MPH and no error codes shown on the dash. Hope this helps.

 

Glad to hear the test went well and no one was hurt. Seems like something changed for the 2023+ model years involving the dash warning for the Front Active Spoiler. That is now (2) cases where a simple unplug of the front spoiler doesn't cause any issues on 2023+ models. Hopefully we get some more owners to run this quick test so we can confirm. Thanks again.

 

I've got a 2023 SR5 with the active air dam built in October of 2022! I'll unplug it on my lunch break and see if anything pops up when I'm driving around town!

 

Hello, I'm a new to this forum. I have a 2023 Platinum/ Hybrid with 8500 miles on it. Last night my received error front active spoiler malfunction alert. I will unplug tonight and see what happens. I know the dealership will not cover it as I installed a 3.5 leveling kit on it. So hopefully unplugging it remove the alert.
I will let you know.

 

Confirmed unplugging on a 2023 removed all error codes at all speeds.

 

picture of what was exactly unplugged?

 

Open the hood and look down. You'll see the motor for the shutters. On mine the connector was clearly visible and easily disconnected without tools. Not near my truck now otherwise would have snapped a pic.

 

I'm sorry, I do not have a picture. Locate the front air damn spoiler motor. There is only one set of wires that go into the motor on the passenger side. That is what I unplugged to remove the active front spoiler error.

 

I just unplugged the harness and got the error code on the dash for the front spoiler. I have a 2024. Another dude on a FB group mentioned removing a 7.5amp fuse from the fuse box. I’ve attached the picture.

 

That 7.5 fuse is related to towing. Did you try to remove it and see if the message went away? I have the 2024 and have the message but didn’t want to cause more codes by removing a fuse that is not related. I did try removing the fuse for the front air dam and that didn’t work.

 

I didn’t. I just physically removed the spoiler from the truck.

 

I can confirm that after installing a DV8 centric bumper on my ‘24 Tundra Platinum HV that simply unplugging the active spoiler will not cause any issues.

 

One of the lucky ones! Wish my 2024 didn’t have the message.

 

Yup. If I unplug mine I get the alert. I just physically removed the spoiler.

 

Can anyone take a picture of what you actually take off the truck for the front spoiler. I’m going to try unplugging it first and hopefully my truck is one of the non code throwers but if not I still would like to remove it. I’m lifted so I can feel that drag it causes and hate the feedback from the front spoiler. Just wanna make sure I’m not taking off too much stuff

 

Here is a picture of the airdam, motor and cross member that are removed with the hidden hitch bumper I used.

 

Take a dremmel and cut that plastic vent off from infront of your lightbar. Then adjust your brackets and move the light towards the front. You will get about 70% more brightness out of the lightbar. I did it on my 2012 and couldn't believe the difference

 

Right on not planning on switching up the front bumper just yet but I do appreciate it. I’m assuming if I just undo the spoiler from that front crash bar I should be ok? My Toyota dealer sucks ass so just trying to make sure I don’t unplug something I’m not supposed to and not have to take a trip in to the yota dealership lol Gary86 you got any photos of what you took off ur truck since you were popping codes?

 

How did you remove the spoiler? Thanks.

 

Sawzall

 

Do you get any alerts? What's the difference between unplugging it and removing it? Thanks.

 

I also have a 24' platinum...same color as yours. I installed a custom bumper (a mechanic did as they also did my lift), how do I unplug the air dam? Thanks!

 

I haven’t touch it yet.

 

I have a 2023 Platinun installed the Addicted Stealth Fighter bumper and they provide a relocate bracket to keep the motor plugged in just no air damn for it to control. Worked great for 6 months now I have the error.

any new solutions tried ECU reset tried validating the plug was plugged in. Ordered a CBI unit as well haven’t received.

 

I had problems with mine, dealer fixed it by replacing the motor on the unit.
Took about a week for the part to come in.

So with the air dam flopping in the wind I disconnected it.
Put a bit of dielectric in the socket and wrapped it electric tape.
With the air dam unplugged, couple of zip ties held it up in place.
The bonus for me was that there was no more error on my dash as all.

Week later I got the truck fixed, ten minutes after being home disconnected it all and tucked it back up.
I live happily with it being disabled and zero problem messages on my dash.