Finally!-Resolution To 06/07 Avalon Shifting-Accel Issues

[Mike Murrell]

06/07 Avalon owners are all to familiar with the jerky/sloppy shifting and acceleration of these vehicles. There have been countless complaints about this on different forums on the WEB.

Yesterday I purchased a one day subscription to -> http://techinfo.toyota.com looking for resolution to another issue. At that site I found all TSBs - trouble service bulletins.

TSB EG029-07 was released on 6/6/07 and deals specifically with the shifting/accel issues on 06/07 Avalons.

If your vin precedes VIN number 4T1BK36B#7U243331 this TSB should help. The 10th digit in all vins is the year, so this should definitely help all '06 Avalon owners. The # sign in the 9th digit represent a check digit which will vary from car to car.

I would have attached the entire document, but this site does not allow it. Here's a brief part of the text at the front of the TSB:

To enhance shifting performance and smoothness during acceleration, the Engine
Control Module/ECM (SAE term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM) calibration has
been revised. Please use the following procedure to address customer concerns.

You may see the enire PDF in the Avalon forum at:

http://www.tundrasolutions.com

or at least until the forum moderators over there remove it.

A txt version of it follows - not as easy a read as the pdf at the tundrasolutions forums, but data nonetheless:

************************************************** ************************
ENGINE

Technical Service
BULLETIN

June 6, 2007

Title:

ECM CALIBRATION: ENHANCEMENT
TO SHIFTING PERFORMANCE.
& SMOOTHNES.


Models:

’06 – ’07 Avalon

EG029-07
Introduction
To enhance shifting performance and smoothness during acceleration, the Engine
Control Module/ECM (SAE term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM) calibration has
been revised. Please use the following procedure to address customer concerns.

NOTE:

Before proceeding, verify the ECM (PCM) calibration has NOT been updated by
checking for the Authorized Modifications Label (shown in step 1 of the
Repair Procedure).

Applicable .
2006 – 2007 model year Avalon vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change
Vehicles

Effective VIN shown below.

Production
Change
Information

MODEL PRODUCTION CHANGE EFFECTIVE VIN
Avalon 4T1BK36B#7U243331

Parts
Information

MODEL
YEAR
PREVIOUS PART NUMBER CURRENT PART NUMBER PART NAME QTY
20062006
89661–07450
89661–07471* ECM (PCM)( ) –89661–07451
2007 89661–07470
– N/A 00451–00001–LBL Authorized
Modifications Label
1

* The ECM (PCM) should NOT be replaced as part of the Repair Procedure.
NOTE:

Authorized Modification Labels may be ordered in packages of 25 from the Materials
Distribution Center (MDC) through Dealer Daily Dealer Support Materials System or by
calling the MDC at 1–800–622–2033.

Warranty
Information

OP CODE DESCRIPTION TIME OFP T1 T2
EG7023 Recalibrate ECM (PCM) 0.9 89661–##### 26 99

Applicable Warranty*:
This repair is covered under the Toyota Federal Emission Warranty. This warranty is
in effect for 96 months or 80,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle’s
in-service date.
* Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer’s

specific complaint.
Toyota Supports ASE Certification
Page 1 of 4


ECM CALIBRATION: ENHANCEMENT TO SHIFTING PERFORMANCE & SMOOTHNESS – EG029-07 June 6,

2007

Required
Tools &
Material

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER PART NUMBER QTY
TIS Techstream*
NOTE: Software version 2.00.008 or
later is required.
ADE TSUNT 1
GR8 Battery Diagnostic Station* SPX/OTC 00002–MCGR8 1

* Essential SSTs.
NOTE:

.
Additional Techstream units may be ordered by calling Approved Dealer
Equipment (ADE) at 1–800–368–6787.
.
The Toyota Diagnostic Tester and CAN Interface Module may also be used to
perform the service procedures listed in this bulletin.
.
The GR8 Battery Diagnostic Station (P/N 00002–MCGR8) supersedes the
Automatic Trickle Charger (P/N 00002–YA122–01) and Fast Battery Chargers
(Associated P/N ASE6003 and Christie P/N CAPPDQ). P/N 00002–YA122–01,
ASE6003, and CAPPDQ are now obsolete.
Calibration
Identification
Chart

MODEL MODEL YEAR
PREVIOUS
CALIBRATION ID
NEW
CALIBRATION ID
VDS
AvalonAvalon
2006 30705000
30705100 3070710030707100 BK36BBK36B
2007 30707000

NOTE:

Vehicles which have been flash reprogrammed using the procedures in this TSB
will contain upgraded 2007 model year OBD II logic. Refer to the 2007 model year
Avalon Repair Manual on the Technical Information System (TIS) when checking
Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) on 2006 model year vehicles that
have been reprogrammed.

Page 2 of 4


ECM CALIBRATION: ENHANCEMENT TO SHIFTING PERFORMANCE & SMOOTHNESS – EG029-07 June 6,

2007

Repair 1. Check for the Authorized Modifications Label affixed to the vehicle in the

location
Procedure

shown in Figure 1. Confirm if the ECM (PCM) calibration has been updated. If the
calibration ID listed is NOT the latest ECM (PCM) calibration — go to step 2.

Replacement
ECM (PCM)
Part
Number


Calibration
ID(s)


THE FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE:
89661–07471
30707100
THESE MODIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED
AS APPROPRIATE BY EPA AND CARB
DEALER CODE: DATE:
CHANGE AUTHORITY: TSB EG029–07

Date
Completed


Dealer Code
TSB Number

Figure 1. Location of Authorized Modifications Label on 2007 Avalon

2. Flash Reprogram the ECM (PCM).
NOTE:

.
The GR8 Battery Diagnostic Station MUST be used in Power Supply Mode to
maintain battery voltage at 13.5 volts while flash reprogramming the vehicle.
.
For details on how to use the GR8 Battery Diagnostic Station, refer to the GR8
Instruction Manual located on TIS, Diagnostics – Battery.
Follow the procedures outlined in TSB No. SS002–07, “Techstream ECU Flash
Reprogramming Procedure,” and flash the ECM (PCM) with the NEW calibration
file update.

3.
Start the engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature before test–driving.
4.
Test–drive the vehicle to confirm proper vehicle operation (and proper laser cruise
control operation, if so equipped).
Page 3 of 4


ECM CALIBRATION: ENHANCEMENT TO SHIFTING PERFORMANCE & SMOOTHNESS – EG029-07 June 6,

2007

Repair 5. Install the Authorized Modifications Label.

A. Using a permanent marker, enter the following information on the label:
Procedure
(Continued)

.
ECM part number: [Refer to the Parts Information section for the CURRENT
PART NUMBER]
.
Calibration ID(s): [Refer to the Calibration Identification Chart for the NEW
CALIBRATION ID]
.
Dealer Code
.
Repair Date
.
Change Authority (this TSB number): EG029–07
B.
Affix the Authorized Modifications Label to the vehicle at the location shown in
Figure 1. The Authorized Modifications Label is available through the MDC,
P/N 00451–00001–LBL.
Page 4 of 4





Mike Murrell

[hsakuragi]

got the pdf from TS...going to dealer Friday..finally

[NYLexSC]

what about us 05 people who have the same stupid transmission?

[smuook]

Great find Mike... thanks for the post.

This doesn't apply to me but many people will be happy.

[hsakuragi]

MODEL PRODUCTION CHANGE EFFECTIVE VIN
Avalon 4T1BK36B#7U243331

05 can take a try ..althought the TSB clearly said 06-07


looks to me that they just going to flash ur ECM to what the latest 07 avalon now using...

[06avalon]

Do you just simply show this pdf to the Toyota Dealer guy?

[Mike Murrell]

Originally Posted by 06avalon

Do you just simply show this pdf to the Toyota Dealer guy?

That's what I would do, but don't be a bit surprised if they play dumb or tell you they have not received all pertinent info, equipment; materials. This fix came out 6/6/07, just 15 days ago, so in all fairness to the dealers, they may need time to get setup for it. I really cannot say.

There are bad dealers and some that are slightly better than bad.

You may have to call several in your area before you find one who is agreeable to this.

You DO NOT have to take the car to the dealer you bought it from. You have the right to pull into ANY Toyota dealership and request this fix. Unfortunately, they have the right to put you at the "back of the line".

You can go to any dealers WEB site and post a question, but you never know for sure who is going to answer it. If it falls in the hands of a service writer, who knows what sort of answer you'll get. Most likely "we have never heard of this".

If you have a preference as far as dealerships go, I would call the service mgr. and speak with him personally, give him the TSB number and see where it goes. If you start getting pushed away, you may need to call Toyota's Corp. HQ on the west coast if that's even possible.

Sometime back, Toyota started using customer service reps. at the dealership level, but these guys are just local "yes men" who merely represent the owner of the dealership; they do not have your interest in mind. Have already seen this movie.

Good luck to eveyone.

[06avalon]

^^ Thanks!

[hsakuragi]

already did mine today, even though i show that tsb to the service manager, they still have to verify the tsb from their owm toyota service site...i also told them to turn off the auto recirrculate ..


MAN!!!! now my car feels like my ex SC solara now..HAHA..great find..thanks mike


and the best thing, i don't have to pay a dime!

[Tom in Tacoma]

This applies to my Avy! Thanks for a most excellent post!

[smuook]

2005 owners... don't feel left out!

You get one too! But you also get exhaust manifolds and o2 sensor, all under warranty.


http://link-protector.com/221107/

[osidepunker]

I just wanted to say that you guys are awesome for getting this type of information out. It's this kind of stuff that keeps me reading and paying attention to TN.

Thanks!

[Mike Murrell]

I see smuook beat me too it. On another forum, someone indicated that the '05 Avalon gets the upgrade as well.

Its TSB EG033-07 according to what was posted there.

http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forum...alon-shifting/

[NYLexSC]

Thanks fellas, I'm going after Toyota on this one. I need my Avy running like a car should No o2 sensor problems or exhaust manifold problems yet, I suppose I can wait till something goes to wrong to have that fixed and replaced...why fix something thats not broken, replacing them might cause other issues who knows. Thanks for the updates though!

[neil5]

I spoke with service mgr today at the dealership. He stated that the upgrade does not fully fix the hesitation completely but makes it better. I told him about my daughter and wife to be driving the Avy and had concerns so I wanted the upgrade. I will report back to the audience. Others seemed happy with upgrade. 2006 Avy Limited (Blue T, BU cam, Lcruise, JBL)