Unofficial - CEL/SL/Idle Issue List for FR-S/BRZ Owners

[jesperswe]

Originally Posted by governor

Got my FR-S back two days ago. New ECU. 6 weeks in shop. I notice some idle hunting every now and then but it seems to be short-lived and the idle quickly stabilizes. I am still in the 100km ECU learning phase.

That's just sick, 6 weeks for a damn ECU.

[mx5 2nr]

Well, I guess I'm one of the cool kids now...

Raven FR-S - 1710 Miles, 7085xx; purchased new 8/20/12 with 7 miles (didn't check born date)

I experienced idle dip while waiting at a light in heavy traffic on the way to work a block away from my parking structure on 10/10/12. The CEL was blinking a few minutes later. On my drive to the dealership after work on 10/10/12, the CEL & the TCS light was on (no blinky).

I'm in a Corolla loaner car from the dealership... sigh... at least it has a sunroof... I might be driving my Miata a lil' bit more as it seems as if the FRS will be in the shop for a bit...

So do we get a sticker or t-shirt or something?




10/16 EDIT: Spoke with the service manager (10/12) where the car is currently at & said it's showing the P0019 code. They are obtaining a new ECM that (according to Toyota) will fix the issue. It's on a backorder but they are putting a rush on it (whatever that means), and they should have it within 3-5 days. They didn't say how long it would take to install once it arrived, but I can't imagine it would take too long at all. I'm crossing my fingers that I'll get the car back before the end of the week. In the meantime they put me up in a loaner Corolla that isn't that horrible, at least it's got a sunroof & bluetooth.



10/24 EDIT: Got a call from the service manager on 10/23 to let me know that the ECU just arrived & the car would be done that evening. Unfortunately I was stuck at work & couldn't get to the dealer before closing. I picked up the car this morning on my way to work. Everything seems great - but I drove it for 20 minutes (roughly 5 miles) fromt he dealer to the parking structure at work. Fingers crossed, the car is back to normal. When asked how they were able to get the ECU in so quick (I had called a few days before to find out about a new ETA, he had said there's no knowing); the service manager said that he had to "make a few calls and pull a few strings". He said that it costs them money & is an insurance liability to have customer cars in service bays and not getting worked on. Plus the cost of the loaner car was approaching $500 (according to him) & it was costing them a lot. So to people looking to get their cars back quicker - inform the service manager of the cost and liability of having your FRS at the shop, it might light a fire under their ass...

[jesperswe]

Someone should start making funny bumper stickers and t-shirts

[ftc~brz]

Originally Posted by @Art_Mighty

Has anyone who have have their cam gears replaced noticed any post repair leaks? I'm asking because I don't see any but when the engine is fully warmed up and the car is standing still I'm noticing the a faint smell of oil coming thru the ventilation system. I only had the car for a week before and I don't remember smelling anything but I might not have noticed it.

I have opened up the hood and there's no smoke and no signs of staining onto the heat shield. Any ideas?

I had no visual leaks and unfortunatly have had killer head cold when I did have her back for a hot min. But with a broken sniffer only noticed faint new car smell, hint of oil with heat on, and the distinct aroma of despair.
Whatever detail stuff they used was lemon scented, go figure.

[86BRZ]

Originally Posted by jesperswe

Someone should start making funny bumper stickers and t-shirts

A square sticker just like the CEL ?

[jesperswe]

Originally Posted by 86BRZ

A square sticker just like the CEL ?

Maybe something like this.

"I survived CEL"
"Toyota said, there is a fix"

or

"Don't tailgate me, I just got CEL"

"Agressive cam setup? No it's just CEL"

Keep em coming

[fistpoint]

"CEL just kicked in, yo!"

[Rob_g]

I had a phone call from my dealership this morning and they told me that the idle dip is normal. The ECU replacement they did was ONLY for the stalling and CEL issue I had. I always thought the idle dip, or at least how the FR-S idle dips with some engine shudder was just another symptom of the greater issue which also caused stalling and the CEL.

I just think at a certain point if Toyota gets these cars running without a CEL, even if it doesn't run perfect then that's as good as it's going to get. We're going to have to live with idle dip and rough idle at times.

Thoughts?

Rob

[einzlr]

Originally Posted by jesperswe

Someone should start making funny bumper stickers and t-shirts

I nominate you

[einzlr]

Originally Posted by Rob_g

I had a phone call from my dealership this morning and they told me that the idle dip is normal. The ECU replacement they did was ONLY for the stalling and CEL issue I had. I always thought the idle dip, or at least how the FR-S idle dips with some engine shudder was just another symptom of the greater issue which also caused stalling and the CEL.

I just think at a certain point if Toyota gets these cars running without a CEL, even if it doesn't run perfect then that's as good as it's going to get. We're going to have to live with idle dip and rough idle at times.

Thoughts?

Rob

Somebody else was saying that Subaru engines do idle rough so yeah, if your car idles without stalling and without throwing codes, it sounds like that's about the best you can expect. Do keep in mind that a phenomenal little sports car at this price point will for sure involve some compromises.

[Alienate]

Quote/ I just think at a certain point if Toyota gets these cars running without a CEL, even if it doesn't run perfect then that's as good as it's going to get. We're going to have to live with idle dip and rough idle at times.

Thoughts?

Rob[/QUOTE]

My fix, as posted here, gave me rock solid idle. I would not accept anything less.

[rapidcars]

Originally Posted by einzlr

Somebody else was saying that Subaru engines do idle rough so yeah, if your car idles without stalling and without throwing codes, it sounds like that's about the best you can expect. Do keep in mind that a phenomenal little sports car at this price point will for sure involve some compromises.

They do. My 2006 WRX idled a little inconsistently and was problem free when I sold it at 87k miles. It never dropped enough to think it was about to stall though.

[pituala]

I honestly wouldn't mind the idle dip if there wasn't a loud engine/timing chain clacking sound when it happens. Small dip in idle would be something I could live with. But engine noise....no!

[pituala]

I tried getting it on video. On my phone cam you can see the dip, but you can't hear the engine noise. I'm gonna try and get my good 1080p camera and record it.