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

[Kieranz]

Just had CEL pop up at 1950 miles. Came up at stop light -surprisingly engine was smooth on idle. Had one or two noticeable rough idle/ near stalls in the past but the light never came on.

Did a quite a few WOT pulls during break in (when engine was warmed up, never over 4k) so I definitely didn't baby her.

What the latest with the brz? Are they just reflashing the ECU or are they changing parts as well -as Toyota has been doing?

Vin 28xx supposedly late jul build.

[Eurasianman]

Not sure if this has been answered or not and I'm not trying to derail the thread, but have any of the first FR-S owners, that were part of the, "First 86", have any issues?

[ap5512]

Originally Posted by eurospeed

The HPFP noise and the CEL/idle issue are two distinctly different problems. A TSB only exists for the HPFP noise and not the CEL/idle issue. Regarding cam sprockets, the horror stories are real sometimes requiring multiple component replacements and even leading to engine failure in some instances. This has not been, by any stretch, a pleasant experience for most of us affected.

Also, at what mileage did your CEL occur and what are the last four of your VIN (use XX for last two). Thanks.

Thanks for the infor eurospeed!

CEL & SL
BRZ @ 4917 mi.
VIN# 6010XX

[DieselxIndustry]

Originally Posted by cyrus

This is quite frustrating. I chose the FR-S over the Porsche Cayman because of reliability and lower cost of maintenance. I hope they get these issues worked out.

Aside from the lower cost of maintenance and availability, are you sure it didn't also have anything to do with the nearly double base price MSRP?

I'm just messing with you haha

[Eurasianman]

Originally Posted by ap5512

Thanks for the infor eurospeed!

CEL & SL
BRZ @ 4917 mi.
VIN# 6010XX

Now I'm concerned. My vin is 6024XX. There's VINs above and below me I've passed 1350 miles so far and the car has been solid.

[ap5512]

Originally Posted by Eurasianman

Now I'm concerned. My vin is 6024XX. There's VINs above and below me I've passed 1350 miles so far and the car has been solid.

My BRZ didn't show signs of idling issues until after 3k miles or so. There were times the idle issue were more apparent but I wasn't worried until it pulled a CEL and SL. The only thing I don't like right now is that I feel like there is a power decrease overall.

Need to get the reflash..the dealership told me the CEL was due to the HPFP..found out that's another issue and that the CEL requires the reflash.

[jduffy]

Originally Posted by Eurasianman

Now I'm concerned. My vin is 6024XX. There's VINs above and below me I've passed 1350 miles so far and the car has been solid.

I'm 602 as well at 2,000 miles and what can you do? I haven't had a problem yet with idle or chirping. I don't worry about it because I'm too busy enjoying the car. The drive into work this morning was awesome.

Dude honking his horn next to my car asking questions about the BRZ in freeway traffic. 2 funny.

If or when the CEL hits me I'll deal with it then.

[Eurasianman]

Originally Posted by jduffy

I'm 602 as well at 2,000 miles and what can you do? I haven't had a problem yet with idle or chirping. I don't worry about it because I'm too busy enjoying the car. The drive into work this morning was awesome.

Dude honking his horn next to my car asking questions about the BRZ in freeway traffic. 2 funny.

If or when the CEL hits me I'll deal with it then.

Yea, that's sort of what I have been doing. Just makes me slightly concern since the last vehicle I had was traded in pretty much because of a very similar issue, granted it was all covered by warranty.

[cyrus]

Originally Posted by DieselxIndustry

Aside from the lower cost of maintenance and availability, are you sure it didn't also have anything to do with the nearly double base price MSRP?

I'm just messing with you haha

To be honest the cost wasn't a major concern. I actually had more fun in the FR-S than the Cayman despite the power during both test drives. Call me crazy but I also preferred the styling of the FR-S in comparison to the new Cayman. I'm a Lotus guy at heart, so I guess the FR-S hit more of those points.

Just an update from the dealer. The new ECM should be delivered today. I'm expecting the vehicle to be returned to me later this evening or tomorrow pending no further issues.

[Sargy]

Older 811 ECU: SU003-04522
New ECU: SU003-04568

My scion rep explained to me that the 4568 is the same as the 4522(This is what I was told)

the 4522 is re-programmed and then later on updated through the vendors that process the ecu's.

My ETA is confirmed for the 3rd time on Thursday,

Darren *rep* also notified me of a few people picking up their cars in the DC/metro area this week and so far everything good with their replacements.

only 2 more days for my confirmation

[wotter]

Update : called the dealer back, problem was with the VVTI system. If I understood him (I'm no expert), they're going to replace the cam gear. I told him about the ECU, but unfortunately, as long as Toyota Belgium/Europa don't advise it, they're not going to do it. So IF the new ECU is the correct fix for the CEL/SL issue, there's a strong possibility my car will be back at the dealer in xxx KM. I didn't ask for the specific code (P0019/18/17...), will do that on Friday.

The new parts have been ordered today, arrival on Thursday, so if all goes well, I should have my car back on Friday. So I've only lost three days, not bad imo.
Rental car is still the Corolla AT (loool).

[GT86drifter]

Originally Posted by Sargy

Older 811 ECU: SU003-04522
New ECU: SU003-04568

My scion rep explained to me that the 4568 is the same as the 4522(This is what I was told)

the 4522 is re-programmed and then later on updated through the vendors that process the ecu's.

My ETA is confirmed for the 3rd time on Thursday,

Darren *rep* also notified me of a few people picking up their cars in the DC/metro area this week and so far everything good with their replacements.

only 2 more days for my confirmation

so to clarify 04568 is a reprogrammed 04522....

either case whatever it maybe i hope when i order this car it will have the updated ECU

[ftc~brz]

Originally Posted by AsianStyle

Decided to do a quick search and here is what I found in this thread:

Problems with hard break in:
ftc~brz - "Hey art, I hit 7200 rpm a few times today and here's what my car learned...now I have cel/idle/slp and a new one...."

Boost Junkie - "I did not follow the break-in per the manual and drove it spiritedly from day one. CEL came on @ 1115 miles."

Problems with soft break in:
christina_marie - "FR-S (Asphalt AT), 7073xx, western MA area - normal break in, never went above 4K and didn't drive her hard until after 1000 miles."

So, I'm not sure I buy break in has anything to do with these issues. I will accept ECU change might fix it, but we have members here who have gotten the CEL with either break in method.

No hard break in on me. 1st cel @70 miles 2nd and 3rd between 210 miles. Did not hit 7200 rpm till after 1000 mile factory requested break in (all shifting prior to 1k no higher than 4500rpm.
Also that 7200 shift was an emergancy, avoiding 2 near misses due to shananagans
My cel would flash, or stay solid, or reset its self but I was in limp mode 95% of the time I dove it (10 out of 31 days)

Drove 800 miles total this weekend after ecu flash. 5 hours strait up and 5 back. No cel no dip. Any stop idle was at solid 650rpm

My biggest fear is that it will come back. I drove both legs with no radio on listening to the car the whole time. As of now I feel my issues are fixed

[jesperswe]

Originally Posted by wotter

Update : called the dealer back, problem was with the VVTI system. If I understood him (I'm no expert), they're going to replace the cam gear. I told him about the ECU, but unfortunately, as long as Toyota Belgium/Europa don't advise it, they're not going to do it. So IF the new ECU is the correct fix for the CEL/SL issue, there's a strong possibility my car will be back at the dealer in xxx KM. I didn't ask for the specific code (P0019/18/17...), will do that on Friday.

The new parts have been ordered today, arrival on Thursday, so if all goes well, I should have my car back on Friday. So I've only lost three days, not bad imo.
Rental car is still the Corolla AT (loool).

I also got VVTI gear replaced because of CEL. It fixed mine atleast but i still have strange idle dips now and then, especially when engine is cold. No new ECU or reflash here. Though Toyota Europe told Toyota Sweden (where i live) that there is an ECU update coming soon.

The strange idle i have still pisses me off, but without a CEL there aint much the Toyota dealer can do atm

Well you are lucky since Toyota Europe has it's main headquarter and storage facility in Belgium, you are close I had to wait 17 days for my VVTI gear....

Drove 800 miles total this weekend after ecu flash. 5 hours strait up and 5 back. No cel no dip. Any stop idle was at solid 650rpm

That's how a 2012 car should behave at idle!