Issues and more issues
 

I just recently bought a frs, it has been a little over 6 months with approximately 5500 miles on it. When I first got the I notice the "cricket noise," it wasn't making the noise much, but now it's doing it more then ever. Then around 4000 miles my CEL comes on for a cam shaft position sensor it went off on its own. Every now and then my car idle also jumps up and down. It feels like the car is going to cut off. I've taken it into Toyota and they pretty much told me since my CEL is off they can't do anything but they said there is a pending code. They also told me the noise from the fuel pump, but I have the upgraded pump already and they don't know why it's still making it and they said my idle is in factory spec. I'm no car genius but my idle shouldn't be bogging up and down like that.

What can or should I do?

Not much you can do except tune it to raise the idle slightly or take it to the dealer and try to replicate the problem. Not sure about the camshaft position sensor.

The idle dip is possibly the same issue that plagued many early owners with codes P00016-19 IIRC, cam sensor or something. You could call around to other dealerships to see if they'd be willing to investigate or fix it if its not throwing a code yet. Also, make sure your AC isn't on, the compressor engaging and disengaging will cause the idle to dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge.

The crickets are unfortunately a side effect of how current HPFPs work. Everyone has been told it's still perfectly functional, just noisy. It's something that affects a large number of manufacturers from what I gather, Mazda, Audi, etc. Why some owners have it more than others is unanswerable. Correlation between straight gasoline and ethanol blends hasn't proven consistent enough to be reliable. Using an upper cylinder lube or 2-stroke oil has been shown to reduce or eliminate it for that tank. I've personally run 2-oz of Lucas stuff in a full tank and its helped quiet the crickets noticeably, some have tried it and had no change, and others swear by 2 stroke oil. Do some searching to get more info and make up your mind.

Most if not all of those things are considered 'normal operation' at this point.

One thing to consider, as mentioned above most of the idle inconsistency comes from running the air conditioning unit. If you turn off the A/C the idle should be much smoother.

Having the car set to 'defrost' uses the A/C in order to dehumidify the cabin so make sure you're not on that setting either.

the Crickets and idle fluctuations (to a degree) are common and "normal" for the FRA/BRZ. I have found that using the 2 cycle TCW-3 oil (1oz /5gallons of gas) has greatly reduced my crickets and all the engine chatter. (search it !)


The issue you are having with the Cams is not normal but is often an issue with these cars. The concern is Cam malfunction has been suggested by some to result in a disruption of oil flow resulting in engine damage because of "oil starvation"


I would ignore the crickets but take it back to the dealer if you keep getting the Cam error code. That is the more serious issue.

Hhhmmm I've thought of that too but always scared to try that! Any con's while using 2 cycle oil?

None that I have read or experienced first hand. But as they always say, use at your own risk!