Just brought home a 2019 DC :) (Also, ran the trans temp flash update)

Just brought home my 2019 DC a couple days ago. Already making some changes!
As it was on the dealer lot:


The rack and toolbox were a bit wobbly/loose, and the plow connections are all corroded (I'm a bit surprised, this is Fisher Fleetflex wiring...) so off they all came:


Within hours of meeting, they'd already gotten nekkid!


Installing the latest ECM/TCM flash to reduce transmission temps towing on the highway:


Pulled apart the console and dash to install a Kenwood/iDatalink Maestro setup for android auto/carplay/trans temp gauges/etc... Why yes, it was smoked in by the previous owner, how could you tell?

 

Beautiful truck! It should treat you very well

 

Welcome to the forum from OKC! Hope you got a sweet deal!

 

Thanks! It feels good to be coming back to a Toyota, and I do hope it'll hold up well. My family always had Toyota trucks, I don't know if I was rebelling or what but now that the Tundras have tow capacity that competes with the other domestics I was ready to come back, even with the worse gas mileage.

I've been through a few trucks over the last 15 years... a '92 Chevy stepside (with a 5.7 and a manual transmission! should have kept this one!), an '02 Nissan Frontier with factory supercharger (lost oil and destroyed rings/scored cylinders), an '07 Chevy Silverado (rust! but also tow capacity was too low), an '09 GMC Sierra (didn't trust the tow capacity numbers based on my experience with the '07, and it had endless wiring problems), and most recently a 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD with a duramax.

In the 2 years with the duramax something has broken on it every time I blink. When I dropped it off at the dealership, the front right ABS sensor was dying lighting up the dash with errors, the AC didn't get cold, the HVAC wouldn't switch to recirculate, it needed a head gasket, and the previous owner had taken off all the emissions equipment so i couldn't get it inspected in Massachusetts. And under all that it was rusting something fierce.

The 2019 has 100k miles already, and a bunch of scratches as it was used by a carpenter during that time as a work truck. With the trade from the 2500HD it was about 12K cash on top of that, so on the one hand, the duramax wasn't worth anywhere near its 'trade in' value, but on the other hand I could have spent 12K fixing the head gasket and ABS and AC and exhaust issues and I'd still have a 10 year old truck, with who knows what problem next. Instead I have this, so I'm very happy.

 

Do you have a actual Techstream account to be able to install updates? I have a version that works that I got off Amazon but never figured it could actually be used to download updates. Also what is this update to reduce trans temps? I have a 2019 and it's the first I've heard of it. I installed a cooler and now my temps dont go over 200° anyways but still curious.

 

I paid for the 2-day access to techinfo and techstream, but it looks like it only needed the access to download the firmware files, not to flash them, so anyone could use the flash files even without an account if they install techstream and have a J2534 compatible cable.
TSB for the firmware update attached. It doesn't detail the changes but says that the engine management logic is changed to "address this drive mode condition"... my assumption is that they updated it to lock up the converter more, since I can't think of any other engine/transmission change that would reduce fluid temp on the highway.

Installation at the dealership is covered under an 80,000 mile warranty extension (which I'm not eligible for at 102k). I downloaded all the firmware files for 4wd key-ignition trucks. I'll probably download the others as well in case someone wants to update theirs. You basically just hook up a stable 13V power source (hence my BMW and jumper cables), plug in the cable, double click the firmware update and it takes you through the procedure.

There's another TSB update for 'trailer disconnected' errors from the brake controller that i put on while i was at it. I did that one first as it felt safer

 

Before my account expires, I downloaded the rest of the ECM flash updates, there's a specific one for each model year, flex fuel vs non flex, different fuel tank sizes, key vs smart start, 2wd vs 4wd, see the PDF to identify which is the right one.

I also downloaded the firmware and TSB update information for an update to the radar sensor and to an srs/airbag sensor, but my truck already had the latest versions for those.

 

Congrats!

Was it a heavy smoke smell?

 

Not a heavy smell, but definitely still noticeable through the cleaning products the dealer attempted to use. I will probably re-cover or replace the seats... keeping my eyes peeled for some platinum heated/ventilated!

Worst case I'll pull out the interior and give it a deep clean over the summer... the seats, carpet and headliner are the only things that might actually absorb it, other than that it's just getting things out to be able to give it a good scrub/powerwash... HVAC ducts, behind the dash, etc.

 

Thanks for these! Only 12 posts in and already a solid forum contribution

 

Put a new cabin air filter in it ASAP if you haven't already.

 

Welcome! An nice truck! DC is the best configuration and you got on of the fast models (i.e., not white, which are the slowest Tundras made). What exactly do these flashes do? Do I need to get this done from the dealer?

 

Thanks! Yeah I'm happy with the black! My duramax was silver and it the silver + chrome was a bit much. Will be blacking out all the chrome on this one over the next couple of years too.
There have been a few updates to the modules since when our trucks were built... if you tow a lot and you see errors pop up for 'trailer disconnected' as you're driving down the road, they updated something in the code for the trailer brake controller so it would stop doing that. And, if your transmission gets hot while towing on the highway (i.e. you use the gas pedal), there's an update to tune that so it won't get so hot. Also for 2018s and 2019s they updated the radar sensor to get less errors.
And for folks who have extreme lifts or winches etc blocking the sensor, they have an alternate flash update that can be installed that will disable the radar system completely.

No details have been published about how the transmission overtemp issue gets addressed, nobody I'm aware of has done an A/B comparison of before / after the engine computer update. The engine computer is what tells the transmission to unlock the torque converter under heavy load (hard acceleration), so in theory they could have tuned it so it will stay locked more, which would reduce trans temps and possibly also slightly reduce fuel consumption. But that's all conjecture, since we don't know what it actually does differently.

If you're comfortable hooking up your laptop to the truck for changing settings and reading error codes with the toyota factory tools, you could handle the updates yourself. I have been modding and updating my BMW for the better part of a decade so I'm quite comfortable doing it, and the Toyota tools are a heck of a lot more friendly. They tell you all the steps. If not, you would go to the dealer.
The PDFs I posted above include the dealer shop time allocated to doing the work, and what warranties exist to possibly cover the work. If you're out of warranty you'd have to pay them to do it or convince them that they should give you a concession because they should stand behind their trucks bla bla bla. (I've never gotten anywhere with this with GM, but maybe Toyota actually cares about their reputation so they would). In general the dealer service dept won't just flash the truck because you go in and say you read on a forum that there was an update. But if you go in describing the exact issue ("my truck keeps saying trailer disconnected!" or, "my truck keeps getting errors about transmission temp whenever i tow!") and say that you 'heard there was a TSB for it', they'd probably take care of it for you.

 

Thanks! This is probably something I'm gonna pursue with the dealer. Have zero experience with the Toyota tools. If this improves the lockup in order to lower temps than I am all for it.

I now drive the truck continuously in tow/haul mode and the shifter in S mode. So I'm used to a little less MPG. The truck runs better, shifts better, has more power, and doesn't gear hunt as much. Just a better driving experience. Plus I can instantly choose what gear I want. Anyway, thanks for the insight!

There is a TSB, thanks again

https://www.autocodes.com/tsb/component.php?make=toyota&model=tundra&year=2020&component=100000 power train

 

Give CL02 treatment a shot. It's safer than ozone on the interior material. You can DIY or find a good detailer that uses that method.

 

The scary thought would be if all the flash does is make the over temp warning not come on as early or at all.

 

In that case it would be an update to the cluster or the transmission computer, changing the parameters of overheat, not the engine computer.

 

Idk because the cluster just displays what the ECM tells it to. Id still monitor temps just incase. I started monitoring mine as soon as I found out the 19 had no cooler, its crazy the difference a cooler makes with temps, easily a 40° difference just daily driving no towing.

 

I put in a cooler and the temps are now under control, but if this flash increases the lock up I'm doing it.

 

I watch my lock up every drive with my odb app. What I know is that there is no lock is 1-3 or when the atf temp is under 100°. If you have a steady foot and going up hill you can usually maintain lock up in D if you dont mind let the speed drop, if you drop it down to 4th though you can easily maintain lock up. Would be great if Toyota provided release notes with flashes so you know what they do.

 

Agreed it would be nice! I'll be monitoring my temps and hopefully also monitor the lockup, have to see if the maestro gauges can be configured to show that too.

 

Thanks for the info on the T-SB-0087-21. i have a 21 built late August 21 and will have the dealer check to see if mine would benefit from the update. I tow a travel trailer ~ 6,000# and am pretty sure had I not monitored temps with a Scangauge II and used T/H and S4 I would have seen that alarm.
Interesting that no where in the TSB is mentioned towing in drive vs S4.

 

What cable are you using? Have been looking at the Mongoose Plus Toyota 3 but have not pulled the trigger. Very good info on downloading all the files in one go with the 2 day subscription!

 

I dont know anything about maestro but I use the OBDLink MX+ and on there the PID is under "Engine and Electronic Controlled Transmission" and called "Status of the Lock Up" if that helps at all. I set mine up so that the lock up indicator is a radial gauge that creates a circle around the gear indicator when it's locked.

 

I have the Mini VCI J2534 firmware 2.0.4 that I have used with the copy of TechStream provided with it from Amazon for many different things on my truck like changing convenience features, programing keys, bleeding brakes, shutting of seatbelt chimes but never flashed any updates with it.

 

Yeah wish I knew how to do this stuff.

 

I'd like to learn too but scared of turning my Tundra into one expensive brick.

 

Right!?

Exactly. Too scary for me. Need to hookup with someone here that can help with this or pay to have the dealer do it. All in due time.

 

Maestro will show transmission pan temp, but I haven’t found a way to show converter lockup. It has the option to show engine oil temp but mine is grayed out on the selection list like it wasn’t able to validate the PID for it. I’m going to do some research to see if I can add PIDs myself. I have a 2021 Tundra, so all of the OBD2 data is read through the head Unit harness. I think 2019’s and under all need to plug directly into the OBD2 port.

 

I am aware of the clone cables but do not own one. I have always thought I would be reluctant to use one to flash because of the downside if things went sideways. That's why I was wondering what @vilord used.