3 replies to this topic

[aekOne]

The Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ are undoubtedly great sports cars, but not every owner has been able to enjoy them as much as they’d like. Many owners have taken to the Internet to express complaints regarding a check engine light, slip light, and idle issue on their new cars.

Members on various internet forums have experienced a low idle blip, and in some cases stalling of the engine. They have brought their vehicles in for service, and are saying that initially it was taking up to a couple of days before their cars were returned, likely because Toyota was still solving the problem.

Now, it appears a fix is on the horizon, as Toyota has confirmed that an ECU update is being sent out to all the dealerships to resolve the “rough idle phenomenon.”

Subaru has yet to confirm that they have the new ECU flash ready to go, but we could safely assume that their dealerships are being prepared for it.

The only issue is that many owners are still reporting mixed results even after that receive a new ECU or an ECU reflash. Hopefully all those owners get their issues resolved soon, as clearly they’re missing out on enjoying a great sports car on the road.

This info and more can be found at: http://www.autoguide.com

[Cam.]

Cars will be having a reflash, Sent out for a period of time and if the problem comes back, The ecu will be replaced.

Will do some testing when I get one in and figure it out.

[TSG]

Didn't know this was a problem with them.

[aekOne]

more from http://www.nitrobahn.com

Subaru and Toyota are facing certain issues new rear-wheel-drive sports car – the BRZ and the Scion FR-S. The Scion FRS and Subaru BRZ are both set with an engine control unit (ECU) which is premeditated to adapt to the driving style of the new owner during the first 100 miles or so. This system gives extra attention to a variety of input parameters like the throttle input to modify the engine operation in order to optimize both performance and efficiency. But unfortunately, this system has run into certain issue due to which once the driver’s habits are learned by the ECU, it tends to push the car beyond a range of the predetermined parameters which can result in causing the engine controller to get confused.

It is basically a software mapping glitch that can cause the adaptive engine ECU to get out of whack with the engine, which can, in turn, cause rough idling and stalling. When this trouble occurs, the check engine light will light up with the code P0019 being the cause on diagnostic equipment. Toyota aims to fix the issue with the Scion FRS by reflashing the ECU so that it can adjust to a wider range of parameters once the initial learning process has been set, provided the vehicle is within the first 100 miles. If the vehicle has more than 100 miles on the odometer, then Toyota expects the dealership to replace the ECU with one already programmed with the new parameters included.

“It does involve the variable valve timing, but it does not involve a mechanical repair,” Brian Lyons,Toyota spokesman said. He said the rough idle is because of the ECU’s efforts to work around its detection of the anomaly, instead of analyzing what is triggering the fault code. The reflash “broadens the tolerance of detection.” Subaru does not feel the need to replace the ECU regardless of the mileage on the vehicle. As per a Subaru spokesman Dominick Infante, the issue is in the coding and not in the ECU itself therefore the issue can be fixed simply be reprogramming the engine control unit. Both Subaru and Toyota are not ready to reveal the number of new FRS and BRZ that could be affected nor have they given details regarding the number of complaints that have been formally filed.